My son is a thriving 12 year old with a passion for scouting. He started as a Wolf scout at 7, and has progressed up the ranks to Life scout at only 12. He has been preparing for his Eagle scout project since before he crossed over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. We are a scouting family. My 4 year old is currently wearing a Tiger cub tshirt that was handed down to us by my best friend (whom I happen to have met through scouting). But if the proposed changes occur our scouting life may come to an end.
The Boy Scouts of America is a good company with a good mission. And we have enjoyed our time in a morally strong activity. Something that supports the same fundamentals we live as Christians. Don't get me wrong, there are non-Christians in the BSA. But we all adhere to the same scout oath and scout law, and for that I have always been grateful. You see, I can accept that there are people in this world who choose not to follow Christ. I pray for them, not excluding them, but rather hoping that one day they will choose LIFE over darkness. And up until now scouting has been a safe zone -a place where I felt the ideals supported what my family believes and practices in our daily lives. The scout oath is this... "On my honor I will do my best To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." And there are decisions on the table that simply will not support the morally straight piece of this oath. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Here is a media release statement from the BSA -
MEDIA STATEMENT
Boy Scouts of America Monday, Jan. 28, 2013 Attributable to: Deron Smith, Director of Public Relations
“For
more than 100 years, Scouting’s focus has been on working together to
deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and
values-based leadership training. Scouting has always been in an
ongoing dialogue with the Scouting family to determine what is in the
best interest of the organization and the young people we serve. “Currently, the BSA is discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation. This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, and the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with each organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit that best meets the needs of their families.
“The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members, or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization’s mission, principles, or religious beliefs.”
As a Christian I will tell you that Biblical truth states homosexuality as a sinful choice. Not something someone is born into. Not something beyond control. It is a choice that comes from having a sinful lustful nature. We all make choices everyday. And it baffles me how this choice was ever labeled as "decided from birth." Are you kidding me? I am NOT saying that their dna structure has nothing to do with it. Every person is born with desires for one thing over another. It is called temptation. But choosing sexual relations with someone of the same sex is not morally straight. I have gay friends, always have. They know what I believe. And I pray for them. I pray they repent to Christ and begin anew to live the life they were intended to live.
As a last caveat that will irk some of you, did you know the President of the US serves as the honorary BSA president during his term? Meaning President Obama is in "charge" per say. No WONDER this change comes now. For all of you who believe the President to be a Christian man, let me challenge you to take his ideals and check them Biblically. There has been a moral decline in our nation for a long time, and I can only say that it seems to be picking up speed faster than ever before. Unfortunately, I believe we are now a country of more restrictions and guidelines than freedoms. The Boy Scouts of America is under a Congressional charter which keeps them free to function independently. So, WHY, therefore can people not leave them alone. WHY must everything in our country "accept" the GLBT agenda? Why can they not go form their own all-inclusive group that is similar in activities? In our country of so many freedoms, why can the BSA not choose to run things the way they want to?
When I was in college I saw many different scholarships available...some for African Americans, some for Hispanics, some for certain income brackets, some for people with a military background, and yes even some religious ones. And the reason there were options was because we are all different and identify with certain things that others do not. So why is that not the case here? Why is it that if the BSA chooses to function under guidelines that exclude some people from participating, they are called "behind the times" when in fact they are trying to hold onto some type of freedom in our seemingly freedom-less America?
Like I said, some of you may be upset. Some of you may agree. Some of you who do agree will stay silent, because you too want to avoid the controversy. The disagreement. That's ok. I could not keep quiet on this one. I pray that my message is construed correctly - I do NOT hate gay people. I also do not believe the BSA should have to change the way it operates just to please those who don't follow its guidelines. And, unfortunately, I do not want my boys in positions of being "led" by people that are not in sync with the moral guidelines I have taught them. Young men are impressionable. So, if the decision on this goes the way I suspect it will, my younger sons will learn their love of the outdoors through our own in-home "scouting" program. I believe this is one more sign of the end times - the moral decline of our nation.
The BSA is taking phone calls and emails to vote on this possible change in policy. Call 972-580-2330 to vote either FOR or AGAINST the change in policy. If you can't get through email nationalsupportcenter@scouting.org. There are more than 1 million members of the BSA, I pray each and every one of them votes. Feel free to share this post to encourage people to vote.
One last thought...why on earth would people fight so hard to get INTO a program that goes against their way of life? I cannot imagine ever fighting against a pagan organization to make it become Christian so that I could take part. I simply would not be in it - why can't people do that in this case, and leave the BSA alone to do as it chooses?
