The Boy Scouts of America has revoked the charter of a Seattle troop over its refusal to remove an openly gay troop leader, according to Scouts for Equality.
Geoffrey McGrath, believed to be the first openly gay troop leader, was banned from the Boy Scouts at the beginning of April.
Rainier Beach United Methodist Church's Troop 98 and Pack 98 defended their Scoutmaster, however, and refused to force him out.
"Based on our religious principles, we will continue to act as an autonomous church that does not discriminate," the church's Rev. Monica Corsaro said in a statement to Scouts for Equality. "We will continue to have our Troop meetings here, every Thursday night, with business as usual."
So to be clear the BSA wants this guy discriminated against becasue of his sexuality, and the church that sponsors the local troop refuses to do so.
Well let's hear it for the Rainier Beach United Methodist Church of Seattle, for being so open minded and accepting.
You know it so rarely happens that I am moved to give a positive shout out to a church or religious group that this feels pretty cathartic for me.
Nice to know that not everybody's Bible tells them to hate gay people.
Seattle, Portland...cool cities.
ReplyDelete(I used to live in Seattle).
Agree absolutely. We're standing tall up here.
DeleteLet me correct a few things:
ReplyDeleteFirst, the Boy Scouts is not a Christian organization. It is not even an explicitly religious one except in that Boy Scouts must do their "duty to God." This may take the form of whatever religion the Scout practices. For more information see here: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/relig.aspx Please note the curriculum is designed and the award itself is done by the religious organization, not by the Boy Scouts.
Now, you will not get an argument from me on the fact that *most* Scouts identify as Christian. This shouldn't surprise anyone who follows statistics. And I would never swear that there are no troops that put more religion into than I witnessed as a parent. As an organization, however, they espouse no particular religion. Therefore, ascribing their actions as a "WWJD?" is really incorrect.
Next, there are plenty of Christian organizations that don't "hate gay people." The fact you insist on finding every little story and ignoring others shows your bias. Were you aware that the ELCA will allow congregations to call opening gay pastors in committed relationships? Were you aware this is the denomination on which Britta's dad is rostered?
Last, are you aware that Girl Scouts don't let men lead their troops? Probably for the same reason. Oh, men can be a part yes, "Do-Dads" they're called, but would you not be a little uncomfortable dropping your ten year old daughter off at a scout meeting led by a man/men? Particularly if they had no child in the program? It's a similar situation.
As I said, I disagree with the Boy Scouts on this issue. IMO, it's the people who are hiding their true sexual natures we should be concerned about, not those in the open.
The fact that a man is gay does NOT mean he's a pedophile.
DeleteUm, Lisa? Would you be so good as to explain where you got ANY of the things you inferred as coming from Gryphen - or even the TPM? I mean, nothing of which you wrote is included in the above article that I can see.
DeleteAnd what was that bit about men in the girl scout troops? I have always understood one of the reasons (aside from the obvious sexual thing) women lead girl scout troops is to show the girls that women CAN be strong and independent and leaders.
I agree with both Lisa and Pogo. In a class I took years back, we were taught that pedophiles hurt a lot of people, on the average, BEFORE they finally get caught. So knowing someone IS a pedophile is a good thing, since a number of innocent victims may suffer before the pedophile is finally caught.
DeleteAnd gay people are not pedophiles. Pedophiles hunt down both males and females, and might happen to be gay themselves. But some pedophile men hunt down females, while the victims of pedophile women are often boys .... it's not about being gay. It's about being pedophiles.
The Boy Scouts of America leadership are idiots who need to get with the modern world and accept children and their leaders for all their good qualities and not focus on sexual orientation.
Let's not forget:
Our military has any number of great warriors, some of whom are not "straight", but they are straight arrows when you need a good man or woman standing beside you in a battle!
Elsie
@Leland: In the title of his piece, Gryphen attributed Christian motivation to the Boys Scouts decision. "Just like Jesus would do" implies that the Boy Scouts make their decisions upon "Christian" principles.
DeleteI wanted to point out that they are not a Christian or even a religious organization.
First of all, men can be girl scout leaders.
DeleteSecond, both of my daughters have had or currently have male teachers in elementary school. And my father is a teacher and also coaches high school girls athletics. Should parents be automatically concerned about sending their girls to school or practice just because the teacher/coach is a man?
I have a 10-year old daughter. If she was interested in girl scouts and there was a dad who volunteered to be a leader, I wouldn't have a problem. I vet all the adults with whom I leave my children, man or woman. I've never heard of a girls scout leader for elementary school who didn't have a daughter in the troop.
Not all churches are created equal. I grew up in the Methodist church back in the 50s and 60s and always found it to be welcoming to all. When we took communion, it was "The Lord's Table", open to everyone, and not just for a particular church's members, unlike some other religions.
ReplyDeleteToday, a dear friend who happens to be gay is an active and happy member of a United Methodist church that is part of the Reconciling Movement Network. Here's a link that explains that: http://www.rmnetwork.org/ It's a belief "that all are children of God and are of sacred worth. We affirm Jesus’ example of love without exclusion. Therefore, we covenant to welcome, nurture and deal justly and compassionately with all, regardless of age, race, gender expression, ethnic origin, economic reality, sexual orientation, family status, diverse physical ability or social standing as full participants in the work of Jesus Christ and this reconciling congregation." http://www.gracelynn.org/
I no longer care to attend church, but I still value any congregation that accepts others without regard to sexual orientation. And some Methodist churches do just that.
Elsie
Where's the closest Boy Scouts of America Organization that accepts Boys/Pact Leaders who don't believe in any God nor belong to any organized religion? Same for Gay Boys/Pact leaders? Is there a list somewhere?
ReplyDeleteMy son was refused because he doesn't believe in God nor belongs to any organized religion. Yeah, hooray for this Church in Seattle for taking this step and accepting him for who he is, but the BSA as a whole has a long way to go at redeeming themselves. Just my 2 cents.
The BSA neesto start by squaring itself with the adult leaders it betrayed by playing doormat for the Gaystapo.
Delete