As some of you may know, I’m an Eagle Scout. I have proudly worn an Eagle ring for decades
… rather than a ring from the schools of my bachelor, two masters, or doctorate
degrees. I’ve always looked fondly upon
my involvement both as a youth and adult in an organization in which the Scout Oath
pledges –
“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.”
W. D. Boyce incorporated the BSA on February 8,
1910. Within the first two years, its
moral compass was clearly outlined in the Scout Oath. Since its inception, Scouts have raised their
hand and pledged to keep themselves "morally straight." And as a result, our society has looked to
Scouting to provide our nation’s leaders.
Undeniably, Scouting has remained a strong influence and force for good
… as it has focused its membership and leadership guidelines on those things
that correspond with the ‘morally straight’ aspects of high ideals and proper behavior.
The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America is presently considering a change to its long-standing policy that
prohibits openly gay members. The BSA,
which has 2.7 million youth and 1 million adult members, is
"discussing" doing away with its national policy … having experienced
months of protest. Under pressure from activist groups and
corporate donors who don’t agree with the Scouts’ values, the National Council is
toying with the idea of allowing local councils to decide for themselves whether
to abide by this policy.
It is important to note that this “discussion” is not a
reflection of what the Boy Scouts is against, but of what they are for. In a word, this purposeful hedging in and
maintenance of membership standards and practices is simply an outworking of
their freedom to associate— and especially their freedom to associate with
those whom they choose.
This was never a problem, and was not seen as a negation
of any certain group or practice, until some began pushing to curtail the Boy
Scouts’ freedom of association in the late 20th century.
In June 2000, in the Boy Scouts of America vs. Dale decision,
the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Boy Scouts’ right to freedom of association;
and therefore their membership policy.
The court decided that the constitutional right to freedom of association allows a private organization like the BSA to exclude a
person from membership when “the presence of that person affects in a
significant way the group's ability to advocate public or private
viewpoints.” In a five to four decision,
the Supreme Court ruled that opposition to homosexuality is part of the BSA's
'expressive message' and that allowing homosexuals as adult leaders
would interfere with that message. Yet now, even after winning at the
Supreme Court, the BSA national leadership is considering giving up their
freedom to choose what they stand for.
Interestingly, shortly before this “discussion,” the Boy
Scouts issued this statement: “We believe that homosexual conduct is
inconsistent with the requirement in the Scout Oath that a Scout be morally
straight and in the Scout Law that a Scout be clean in word and deed, and that
homosexuals do not provide a desirable role model for Scouts.”
If the Boy Scouts’ position shifts, it will be a seismic
cultural change. Moreover, it will
affect hundreds of thousands of boys who have gone through the program or are
presently enrolled in Scouting … as well as those yet to participate. Relationships to affiliated groups, such as
churches and other local organizations, will be forever altered … especially
since more than 50% of Scouting units are chartered to faith-based
organizations and draw their volunteer leadership from among them. Furthermore, such a change from America’s
largest youth organization will threaten other groups which are presently
standing on moral principles, rather than caving in to the ‘politically correct’
pressure that beckons them to embrace everything and stand for nothing in
particular.
The Boy Scouts will no longer be what it has been for
decades if it complies with the demands of others. Once it assents, far from ‘making peace,’ it
will only open itself and the local councils to continued and more aggressive
attacks.
Again, this is a war the Boy Scouts of America didn’t initiate.
Yet since it has been launched against
them, it's one they must win from the high ground of the Supreme Court victory
(Dale) and the constitutionality of association. A victory here will be a victory for current
Scouts and generations of Scouts to come.
As for the 'threats' of lost revenue from corporate
donors who would cease to financially support Scouting, let them keep their restrictive
money! The BSA doesn’t need to be
enslaved by 'worldly wealth' and all it entails. If Scouting truly pledges in its Oath “duty
to God” and in its Laws “reverence” to God, then it needs to remember this—
serving God is not part-time; it requires exclusive, loyal, full-time service;
it is uncompromising in honesty and loyalty.
Let the National Council of the BSA know your wishes for
them to ‘stand fast’ in their membership policy – not granting membership to
individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that
would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA. They must not abandon their morally sound
membership policy. Share your thoughts
on this matter by submitting them at www.scouting.org/ContactUs.aspx.
Do it today, without delay!
For me, if the BSA caves-in on being "morally straight,"
then it loses its relevance. And I will
personally retire my Eagle ring – never to be worn by me again!
Ken Beale, Jr.
Eagle Scout
Vigil Honor O/A
Young American Award
Youth & Adult Religious Emblems
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