Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I haven't heard anything about their policies towards non-Christians (atheists, yes, but other religions?).<< Correct, which is why Protestant Fundamentalists have started to turn their backs on BSA. It seesm these days that most BSA troops and packs are either sponsored by Mormons or Catholics. I wonder what Dan Beard would think of today's BSA?
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I'm Catholic, but my troop was at a Methodist church. I'm pretty sure that almost all of the troops in our city were at Protestant churches. From what I can remember, none of the Catholic churches had them, and I don't think we had any Mormon temples. I wouldn't be surprised if there was at least one troop in the area sponsored by something other than a Protestant church, though.
Originally Posted By fkurucz ^^When I was a kid it was as you described. When my son became involved it seemed to have changed, at least out here in Colorado. Not saying there aren't others involved, just that there is now a very large LDS and Catholic "foot print" in BSA these days.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan My son will attend the National Scout Jamboree this summer in Virginia. He's hoping President Obama will make an appearance there. I'm a scoutmaster for a special needs troop at a school for the blind. (I'm also a unit commissioner and was a program director for Cub Scout Day Camp for 5 years.) We have boys and girls in our troop/crew from a variety of backgrounds, not just Christian. In our city there is a large Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim population and they are very welcome, active and involved in the units in our district alongside Christian kids. Last year I spent a weekend working on kitchen staff for a camping event. Everyone involved took great care in menu planning and food preparation to keep vegetarian/vegan items separate and apart from other food items during preparation, cooking and serving. The kids in our special needs unit do things they likely would not be able to (things many kids who aren't in scouting miss out on as well): archery, rifle range, crafts, hikes, field trips to various places, museums, camping, bowling, etc. This year we're working on cooking primarily, we've made ice cream, butter, and a full Thanksgiving dinner with the kids helping prepare everything. There is a whole lot of good in the program, and my hope is that one day it will be perfect. But becoming an Eagle (my son is working towards it) is still an amazing achievement accomplished by a wide assortment of people (Gerald Ford and Michael Moore are both Eagles). My congrats to anyone who makes it there or even attempts it. Do a good turn daily.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I'm a scoutmaster for a special needs troop at a school for the blind.*** That's pretty awesome. ***Do a good turn daily.*** Words to live by! <---former Scout myself, as was my Dad and my Grandpa (Eagle)...I was a slacker and only made "Star". Still, I have my issues with their discriminatory policies. I really wish they would get over that part!
Originally Posted By DAR Never got into Scouting but I do recognize the good both the BSA and GSA bring to the youth of America.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wow, sounds like it really has changed since I was a kid. When I was a Cub, I did a badge in religion, but it was the study of global religions. Wow I do think youth groups are great, but I prefer the Sea Cadet Corp overall. Anything that teaches young people additional skills should be applauded. And I already had a lot of respect for Toony, and now I have even more! Happy Birthday BSA.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And I already had a lot of respect for Toony, and now I have even more!*** Absolutely! Kudos.
Originally Posted By dshyates I think it is cool that the BSA is teaching young gay boys the reality of bigotry while they are young. We wouldn't want them to grow up thinking that they are valued by our rightous society.
Originally Posted By Mr X Do they actually discriminate against gay members? I thought it was just a policy against gay scoutmasters.
Originally Posted By dshyates " "If a youth comes to a Scoutmaster and admits to doing wrong, like stealing, lying, cheating or vandalizing, the normal procedure is to counsel the youth privately and sympathetically...If the youth admits to being a homosexual, the Boy Scouts' policy is to instantly terminate his association with Scouting." Findings of fact, in a DC court case 1"
Originally Posted By dshyates ""I would never wanna belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member..."
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "When I was a kid it was as you described. When my son became involved it seemed to have changed..." I guess it just depends on the area you're in. Not to make you feel old, but I just got my Eagle about 4 years ago, so I doubt that things have changed much in my area (central North Carolina), but I'm on the other side of the country now so I don't really know. Part of what I really liked about scouting was being able to meet people from all sorts of different backgrounds without having to go very far to do it. In my case, it was just going to a church at the end of my street, yet there were a ton of people who I wouldn't have ever had a chance to meet without it. The diversity of the program was always part of what made it so interesting, so I really hope that they can find a way to incorporate it in the future (but without that forced corporate type of diversity).
Originally Posted By wahooskipper No gay kid in his right mind would want to be a boy scout. Have you seen the uniforms?
Originally Posted By mawnck >>Do they actually discriminate against gay members?<< In practice, it depends on the troop.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<No gay kid in his right mind would want to be a boy scout. Have you seen the uniforms?>> You reminded me of an SNL skit, "Canteen Boy:" <a href="http://tinyurl.com/3lhms9" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/3lhms9</a>
