Thursday, January 31, 2013

Churches threaten to pull funding if Boy Scouts of America drop anti-gay policies.

Courtesy of Salon:  

The Boy Scouts of America announced earlier this week that they are considering an end to their decades-long ban on gay members, leaving it to regional and local councils to dictate membership guidelines on sexuality. 

The news was met with cheers from scouts across the country who have been banned from the organization after coming out, but many conservative and religious leaders are angry about what they see as the organization abandoning its long-standing commitment to biblical principles. 

“If that is what the leadership is doing, then I think it will be a sad day in the life of the Boy Scouts of America,” Fred Luter, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, told the Baptist Press. “This is a tradition that so many of us across the country grew up in. We were in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in elementary school, and this organization has always stood for biblical principles — all the things that grounded our lives as a young kid growing up. To now see this organization that I thought stood on biblical principles about to give in to the politically correct thing is very disappointing.” 

About 70 percent of all Boy Scout troops are sponsored by faith-based organizations, with the Southern Baptists, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints representing the most troops, according to Fox News. 

And many are suggesting they will break financial and membership ties with the organization if the policy goes through. 

“Churches of all faiths and denominations, including Southern Baptist churches, will be forced to reevaluate whether they can, in good conscience, continue to host Scout troops given that the Scouts appear poised to turn their backs on this clear biblical and moral issue,” Roger Oldham, spokesman for the Southern Baptist Convention, said. 

Kay Godfrey, a spokesman for Boy Scouts in the Great Salt Lake Council, told NPR: “We’ve had 100 years of a very conservative approach to scouting. A major shift along these lines could change the face of scouting, but we’ll have to just wait and see.”

Is anybody else simply sick and tired of watching Christian organizations attempting to stop progress in this country, time and time again? Because I certainly am!

You are free to believe whatever you want, that is your right, but forcing your religious views onto organizations, at the detriment of young children, just seems completely indefensible to me.

And these people need to face the facts. Progress IS coming.

And no amount of threats, or coercion, or shaming is going to keep it from coming. It never has, and it never will.

30 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:09 AM

    They will speak from their tax exempt wallets, which is a tool many liberals use. I'm sorry to see Chik Fil'a is doing well in spite of the bad PR, but take heart that the tiny demographic eating their cholesterol packed-health care denying ilk will be too morbidly obese or ill to patronize them in a few years.

    We speak with our seats in their pews, which is nonexistent. How can they live off their shrinking base? If they won't let non-profit, community benefiting events happen in their tax-exempt facilities, then shouldn't we re-examine their tax exempt status?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:24 AM

      EXACTLY! Any church denying the scout groups should lose their tax exampt status. The Catholic chuch KNOWINGLY harbored child molesters for years and probably still do to this day. Why are they not labelled "child molesters" and forced to give up their status?

      Delete
    2. Anita Winecooler12:26 PM

      And make it retroactive.

      But that's the problem, the "takers" get used to having the "perk" and they "believe" it's a "right".

      Delete
  2. Anonymous10:20 AM

    I'm an Eagle Scout, earned it in 1977. The Boy Scouts have not always stood for biblical principals, as the Southern Taliban president indicates. He's probably never been in Scouts, except maybe in the Catholic priest way.

    Somewhere in the Reagan era, scouting, like the NRA was subverted by the Religious wingnuts of our country. Prior to that Scouting was focused on teaching kids outdoor skills, as well as service to our country, to better themselves in life and career. The goal was to educate kids on how to respect the land, and how to survive in the wilderness. Scouting also taught the civics side of life emphasizing how to be an engaged citizen in the USA.

    I was very proud of what I achieved in Scouting, but I never let my own son join the organization that it decayed into. Sure, for the last 25 years, Scouting has emphasized the so-called biblical principals, but that's why the BSA has deteriorated over the years.

    The BSA used to be a progressive organization, maybe someday it can be again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. lostinmn10:22 AM

    My greatest desire for the christians out there is for some scholar to come forward with some definitive proof jeebus was gay. The collective explosion of heads would make a nationwide sonic boom.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If jeebus ever even existed!

      Delete
  4. This may be one of the best things to happen to the Boy Scouts in a long time. Maybe they can get back to life skills without a lot of religious crap thrown in. They were not originally tied to churches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:52 AM

      You are right. Hate wasn't a scouting virtue before the various churches became involved.

      Delete
    2. So right. When I was a kid, they met in schools, just like the Brownies did. Of course, we also had Bible Club or something, where we learned verses and did crafts, but it was voluntary, and I thin k ended about the time the required morning prayer did. I can still recal my principal reasing a verse every morning over the PA, and then we had to pray and then stand and recite the Pledge to a piece of cloth. Never quite got how any of that made us better students.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous10:25 AM

    Indeed, anon 10:09. $$$ is the only way to get the attention of the "righteous" and charitable ones. Threatening their tax-exempt status is the only way to get them to put up or shut up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, yes it IS "a clear biblical and moral issue." It's called love and compassion. And equality and social justice.

    May the clergy of churches who oppose ending the ban on gay scout members rot in a hell of their own making.

    And please take your narrow-minded and hate-filled religion out of public and civic life.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Churches making threats...Jesus must be so proud.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:50 AM

    Nothing says "Follower of Christ" like homophobia, intolerance and hate.

    Thanks to Anonymous at 10:20 a.m. Your comments were great. My husband was also an Eagle Scout, though in the 60's. He agrees with you. He would never recommend the Boy Scouts to anyone now. However, he was proud to be one back in the day, and I am proud of him for doing so when it really meant something good.

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  9. LisaB259511:04 AM

    As a member of an ELCA church, we say, "bring on the change."

    ReplyDelete
  10. Someone tell me why BSA gets a chunk of United Way money (which is HIGE in my area, they raise 5 million every fall) and Girl Scouts gets nothing?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous11:23 AM

    O/T

    R.I.P Caleb Moore
    http://www.reflexsnowmobiling.com/snowmobiling-blog/entry/caleb-and-colten-moore-s-2013-x-games-crash

    Star snowmobile rider dies after horror crash in front of thousands of fans at X-Games in Aspen
    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271467/Caleb-Moore-Star-snowmobile-rider-dies-horror-crash-thousands-fans-X-Games-Aspen.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:38 PM

      Do you think Bristol or Joey Junker saw that?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous3:32 PM

      Joey Junker was a contestant in the games. Meanwhile, here in AK there have been snowmachine accidents as well. Dangerous sport; big heavy machine, high speeds and well, anyone who would consider doing acrobatic stunts on one of these needs their head examined!

      http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/scary-crash-shatters-bones-former-iron-dog-champ

      Delete
  12. Anonymous11:42 AM

    LOL Palin cartoon:
    http://www.politico.com/wuerker/2013/01/political-cartoon-january-2013/000681-010828.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:33 PM

      Yes, she's fallen and she can't get up. Good cartoon, from Politico no less!

      Delete
  13. Anonymous11:49 AM

    I would personally donate to BSA if the churches pulled their funding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly. And how many organizations are out there that won't support BSA because of their enforced homophobic attitudes and religiosity. Clean that bigoted nest of vipers out, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see a number of progressive organizations pick up the slack.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous12:00 PM

    SCHOOL SHOOTING!!!

    14-Year-Old Shot In Head In Shooting At Middle School In Atlanta

    A gunman opened fire in Price Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday afternoon, according to Atlanta police. Two people have been shot, including a 14 year old.

    WXIA-TV reported:

    http://www.11alive.com/news/article/275118/8/Report-2-people-shot-at-Price-Middle-School-

    According to the Atlanta Fire Department, there was a 14-year-old shot in the head. Grady Memorial Hospital says they have received one under-aged gunshot victim. They don’t know who the second victim is at this point.

    A teacher is also injured, but the report said it’s unclear whether he or she was shot. The school is on lockdown, and police and an ambulance are on the scene.

    Some of the recent updates the WXIA-TV has sent out:

    http://www.mediaite.com/tv/shooting-reported-at-middle-school-in-atlanta/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous12:09 PM

    GAME ON! They're comin' for ya Shelly!

    The leading Democratic super PAC is getting an early start on the 2014 election cycle.

    House Majority PAC announced on Thursday that in the coming months it will begin targeting 10 House Republican incumbents for defeat. The candidates include Reps. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), Gary Miller (R-Calif.), Rodney Davis (R-Ill.), Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.), Joe Heck (R-Nev.), David Joyce (R-Ohio), John Kline (R-Minn.) and Steve Southerland (R-Fla.).

    "They all represent competitive districts and they all have records and beliefs that are out of touch with the districts they represent," House Majority PAC spokesman Andy Stone said.

    The effort to oust these 10 House members will be the main focus of House Majority PAC in 2013. This will include "earned media, paid media, social media and online campaigns," according to Stone.

    Many of these targeted candidates won their 2012 election by a thin margin. The most vulnerable, based on their 2012 performance, are Bachmann...

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/house-majority-pac-2014-defeat_n_2590411.html?utm_hp_ref=politics

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anita Winecooler12:32 PM

    I never liked the ultimatum mentality, especially on moral issues and when it involves institutions that preach compassion and love.

    They need a dose of reality. "If you don't practice what you preach, pay sales and property taxes. It's the only unconscionable thing to do."

    An eye for an eye, it's in the book!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous12:35 PM

    Nothing like making a school like a war zone, eh?

    School To Hold ‘Active Shooter Drills,’ Fire Blank Rounds In Hallways

    CBS News reports that a high school in the far northwest suburb of Chicago will be conducting a school shooting drill which will include all the usual securing of the classrooms by teachers: locking of doors, closing of curtains, switching off of lights, and huddling in shadowy corners.

    But this little drill will feature something extra special for the kiddies: the sounds of gunshots as blanks are fired in the school’s hallways. Yes, nothing like a bit of post traumatic stress to round out the school day.

    According to the e-mail sent out by the Cary-Grove High School to parents:

    This drill, “may cause some students to have an emotional reaction. … Additionally, we have trained social workers on staff who can speak directly with your child should he or she need added support.”

    http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/01/30/school-to-hold-active-shooter-drills-fire-blank-rounds-in-hallways/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Yesterday's fire drills have now become gunfire drills.

    ReplyDelete
  19. ibwilliamsi3:16 PM

    I was the Eagle Advancement Chair for my son's Troop for 4 years, and District Advancement Chair for my District for 7 years after that. My primary concern at the District level was that the Mormons had commandeered Scouting as their "Youth Night" activity, were enrolling ALL 11 year old male members of their Stakes and advancing them ALL at the same time without having any of the boys actually participate in Scouting other than a once a year camping trip. I battled hard and long and got the District to at least stop awarding Eagle Rank to any Mormon boy who applied while his Stake did a project and put his name on it and he knew nothing of and had no experience in Scouting.

    That being said, the ONLY church that provides financial support to Troops is the Mormon Church, and it's against the rules of Scouting. So I say, feel free to withdraw EVERY SINGLE PENNY you give to Scouting. The Troops are supposed to be self-sufficient, and their community liaisons (churches, PTA's, Neighborhood Associations, etc.) are supposed to review their financials on a regular basis to ensure that they ARE independent. NO Troop is to be "sponsored" or "supported by" a church or anything else.

    Once again to the Mormons, go ahead and take your money. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:04 AM

      REALLY!!!!! You are an idiot "Williams". You know nothing about the amount of time that people spend working with the scouts on weekly meetings, merit badges and quality projects including Eagle Projects. What you state here is totally bogus and untrue. Idiots like you promigulate what you say you are against. Individual donate money for those troops, not the Church. Stating that the Church enrolled "every eleven year old and advanced him without doing the work and the yearly camp out" is total crap. Having given lots of my time doing weeklong scout camps, at least six overnight camp, Klondike winter camps and yes, holding the Eagle candidates accountable to Eagle projects that were high quality and organized /completed by that scout. I have helped with many of these projects by both Mormon and non-Mormon Eagle candidates, it did not matter what religion or if non-parocial. We were helping scouts and developing their leadership and citizenship, not religion. Religion is not the focus, it is quality scouting that is the focus.

      Delete
  20. Anonymous4:54 PM

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2271192/Dog-sentenced-death-Tennessee-gay.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

    ReplyDelete

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