The slippery slope just got a new coat of wax. Now we just wait and see which churches give the BSA a nudge.
In my experience there were always a good number of people who felt like withdrawing from any organization that went off the rails would a form of surrender. Even some of the most conservative folks often argued that that we should stay a part of this or that to be a burr under their saddle.
Everything seemed to take about five times as long to resolve as it should have because even a good many conservative people didn't want to seem like they weren't willing to listen to both sides. We usually ended up with something that didn't please anyone but wasn't so distasteful to anyone that they'd leave the congregation over it.
In 2000, the Commission on United Methodist Men filed an amicus brief that argued that the Boy Scouts, as a nonprofit, should have the right to set its own course without interference from the government. (An amicus brief or "Friend of the Court Brief" is typically filed by those who are not a party in the case but to offer the court information which may have bearing. SCOTUS Rule 37 states that it must contain relevant material which may be of considerable help to the court.) Joining the brief were the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.
3/27/2013 – The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod President, Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, sent a letter to the BSA explaining the seriousness of the potential membership policy change and described the “crisis of conscience” that may force congregations to reconsider their support of the organization. Excerpt below …
“… (A) “challenge for our churches in allowing the decision to remain local rather than national lays in the fact that some communities have larger and more politically active gay and lesbian groups. In these communities, the local Boy Scout Council may impose the acceptance of homosexual scouts and scout leaders upon troops sponsored by the local congregation. Should this occur, the Boy Scouts effectively will have superseded the authority of our church teaching, of the local pastor and of the congregation — perhaps even placing us in legal jeopardy.” In the letter, Harrison also pointed out that this policy change could mean that “scouts from troops sponsored by congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod potentially would be interacting with openly homosexual scouts and scout leaders at regional and national scouting activities….”
“The Boy Scouts have been open to our feedback, but we continue to watch the process closely,” said the Rev. Mark Kiessling, associate director of LCMS Youth Ministry, who serves as the LCMS representative to the BSA Religious Relationship Task Force.
5/17/2013 – The President of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod released a statement regarding the upcoming vote on the membership standards resolution to permit open homosexual youth to be members of BSA.
From Pastor Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Western culture is at a crucial moment in history. After 103 years of existence, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) may vote to change drastically its membership policy. For those who may be unaware, the BSA, in recent months, has discussed allowing both gay Scouts and Scout leaders into its organization. Recently, however, the BSA has changed its course. Now the vote will determine only whether to include openly homosexual Scouts as members.
LCMS leaders have been carefully monitoring the proposed BSA policy changes. When news of the proposed change was made public, I sent a letter to BSA, imploring its leadership not to make the proposed policy change. And even though the initial proposal to focus on Scout leaders has been shelved, I believe the current proposal still has unknown implications for the future of BSA as well as LCMS support and involvement. The proposed change will highlight sexuality, which has not been and should not be a matter of focus for Scouts. I suspect it will make it more challenging to care for young people struggling with same-sex attraction and perhaps open our churches to legal action.
This vote matters to the LCMS. The proposed change in BSA policy on values and membership to include openly homosexual Scouts adversely affects, even supersedes, the authority of the local pastor and congregation by allowing and promoting a moral position that we as LCMS Lutherans believe is against the will of God and in opposition to Holy Scripture.
This vote matters because, if enacted, the proposed change to BSA policy on values and membership will cause a crisis of conscience for our church leaders, pastors, parents and congregations. Even if the decision of values and membership remains at the local level, Scouts from troops sponsored by congregations of the LCMS will be affected because, as part of the scouting program, they also participate at regional and national scouting activities.
This vote matters because, for more than a century, scouting has sought to uphold moral values at a level greater than that of general society. The capitulation now to societal pressures would mar the long and honorable history of the Boy Scouts to honor the natural law of God, which at least for now, is still reflected in the current scouting membership policy.
For these reasons, I and some 25 other Protestant church leaders have signed onto a statement, copied below, that implores BSA not to change its policy, noting that, “In our current culture, it’s more important than ever for our churches to protect and provide moral nurture for young people and for the Scouts.” The statement will be released in conjunction with its delivery to the BSA office and before the organization’s vote, which will take place May 24.
I share this with you today because it is difficult to know which of our LCMS BSA members will be part of the 1,400 members who will vote on the policy change later this month. I am hopeful that all of you will share this information with those in your congregation who are involved with BSA and even those in your community who will cast votes later this month.
As the church awaits the BSA vote, we still have much to do. We repent, and we pray. We confess Christ and elevate marriage among us. We do what the church does best: We bear witness to Christ, show mercy to those in our midst — including those challenged by same-sex attraction — and care for all in our life together.”
Pastor Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Prior to the vote Vicki Biggs, director of LCMS (Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod) Integrated Communications, said in an email, "We desire to maintain a relationship with BSA, but cannot compromise integrity to our religious beliefs. We will make a determination about our support and relationship with the organization after we've had time to review whatever final determination BSA arrives at regarding a change in its policies."