Boy Scouts - Learning The Wrong Life Lessons?
By
on
November 12th, 2007
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I recently read about the boy scouts in Philadelphia who are outraged they now have to pay market rent for their real estate instead of getting a freebie from the city. Why the change of policy? The boy scouts apparently don't allow either gay leaders or members. Am I just clueless or isn't this teaching young kids exactly the wrong lessons about life? That it's alright to discriminate against other people because of their sexual orientation. What is this, year 1950? Isn't it time for an update of the boy scout rules?
Gay boy scouts apparently violate an important boy scout rule, to be "morally straight":
"The Boy Scouts of America have always taught traditional American values. An avowed homosexual is not a role model for those values"
I used to be a boy scout in Sweden during my youth. Back then we got together once a week for some fun and occasionally learned some useful things. We did a few field trips but I remember it mostly as a way to hang out with some friends for innocent fun.
As you know, debating gay issues wasn't exactly common back then and the subject never came up. But I can assure you it's a not a policy of the Swedish boy scouts today to discriminate against gay people. Teaching young people to discriminate against gay people is to me an incredibly stupid policy. Is this really the best we can teach our youth today? It is after all year 2007.
When the word boy scout is mentioned I think only good thoughts. At least until now. I have the illusion boys scouts are taught some things about environment, practical skills, and are overall taught to be really good people. You know, helping old ladies across the street, not do drugs, and perhaps try to get a good education. To be honest and have integrity. I'm picturing older leaders teaching younger pupils about life lessons and how important it is to respect others and be tolerant.
That is apparently all wrong. I have some gay friends and they are no different than anyone else. On average, they are probably better people than a heterosexual. Probably because they have faced some uphill battles and learned from them. I guess my problem with the boy scout thinking is even mentioning the issue of being gay or heterosexual. What difference does it really make?
For me, discriminating against gay people is the same as being racist. It's wrong and unacceptable. Just as I think it's wrong discriminating against people because of their religion. What difference does it make?
If you are gay, black, Hispanic, heterosexual, Muslim, Christian, atheist, or from a certain country makes no difference to me. What matter is if you're a good person. It seems really old fashioned to approach life any other way. Perhaps my wide perspective and tolerance has something to do with the many people I've met in my life. But it just seems easy and straightforward to approach people this way.
The old saying "Lead by example" is something that should not be forgotten. If we teach our children to discriminate against gay people on a regular basis, what kind of example are we setting? Is this really an educational goal to be proud of?
I can’t resist, because I’ve never had an opportunity to use this joke before, but:
1996 called. It wants its issue back.
Heh.
The anti-gay policy of the boy scouts of American caught the national news media’s attention in the 90’s. And this precise issue, of market price for facility rental from the city, came up in San Diego just a few years ago and was highly publicized. San Diego has a major talking head, Roger Hedgecock, who spent every waking moment, and most of his 3 hour radio show, haranguing the city and those he labeled “liberals” for discriminating against the scouts. It was a nice couple of months of pro-scout rants vs. pro-constitution rants that were really rants past the other side instead of talking to the other side. In the end, the scouts lost, I think, and had to either move to a cheaper location or pay fair market value for their facilities.
Good catch on the issue cropping up in Philly.
Shawn Burns
Backpacking Dad
Good to see you posting, man!
The only boy scout I ever knew married someone close to me. He even made eagle scout. Turns out he was a wife beater, a terrible cheater at his education and job, and confiscated all of his wife’s funds because he was “the husband”. After that experience, I have not held much respect for what the boys scouts supposedly teach these guys to have as a moral compass. I am sure this guy is a bad example, but it sure made an impression on me.
I live in San Diego where the previous commenter mentioned this happening too. It was awesome watching the boy scouts bitch and moan about not being treated fairly. Heh. Heh.
I have been asked to partner with boy scouts a couple of times. One troop wanted to use the youth center I was a director at as a meeting place. I told him “no” because his organization discriminates. I felt really good telling him that too.
Good to see you posting again, AD!
where i live boy scouts are totally lame. if anyone were one, they’d never admit it unless they felt like getting jumped.
girl scouts are considered equally lame here*, but they allow gays and at least they have their cookies.
*here meaning nyc, not here meaning the U.S.
My brother and Father have been in boy scouts for a very long time so i know the rules really well the reason they dont want gay members or leaders is because they dont want sex on camping trips would u want ur son to walk up to a leaders tent and have him see two men having sex.
Hi there: perhaps you would be interested to know that the organization of SpiralScouts was formed back in the 90’s to provide a place for those still wishing a ’scouting program’ but had children who were not allowed to practice their pagan beliefs. They also accept as leaders anyone regardless of sexual orientation, colour, or creed as long as they can pass a police record check.
http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/10/31/70432.shtml
Great to know that now,
Thanks for you post,
Tracy Ho
wisdomgettingloaded
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