On 23 May, the Boy Scouts of America
decided to change their long-standing youth membership policy to allow openly
gay youth to become members. This change
in its moral stance towards homosexuality is a tragic failure that now calls
for a response from Christians who are involved in Scouting. I appreciate the advice given by Rick Phillips
on his (26 May) blog posting entitled – “Advice to Christians and Churches
Involved in Boy Scouts.” He advises Christians
with respect to two questions: (1) Can you continue involvement in and support
of Boy Scouts in light of this new policy? … to which he says “No.”; (2) When
should you pull out of Boy Scouts? … to which he says “By the end of the year,
but not yet.”
Phillips goes on to explain why he
believes that Christians should not remain in Boy Scouts after this new policy
goes into effect 1 January 2014.
- The Principle: In the Scout Oath, boys vow to be “morally straight.” For years, Boy Scouts have asserted that this oath precludes homosexual perversion. Now, scouts must accept homosexuality as being in line with moral straightness. A Christian, however, can no more submit to this principle than to define adultery or drunkenness as morally straight (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Bible defines homosexual behavior as “dishonorable, impure, unnatural, and shameless” (Romans 1:24-27). Boy Scouts are now demanding that Christians tolerate not merely people who are tempted by homosexuality but also the principle of homosexuality itself. Disciples of Christ cannot do this without compromising our faithfulness to Him (see Revelation 2:20).
- Moral Cowardice: The Scout Law calls on boys to be brave. Yet after many years of clearly upholding their values, BSA has changed its policy in response to public pressure and, it seems, to financial interest. Is this the message that Boy Scouts exists to convey to America's youth: be willing to change your values when they become unpopular or costly? There is little point to a leadership-training organization that conveys this kind of message.
- Safety: The bottom line is that starting in 2014, the BSA will send 11 year-old boys into the woods with 17 year-old boy leaders who are practicing homosexuals. This policy is made even more alarming when one realizes that teenage boys are those most likely to molest a younger child. Now older teens who are practicing homosexuals will be put into tents with younger boys. This is unconscionable. Even if local troops think themselves unlikely to experience this problem, Christians cannot remain affiliated with an organization that at the level of policy would put the young boys under its care under this kind of safety risk.
Phillips then goes on to address the
second question of when to disaffiliate?
Most Christians are so horrified and
feel so betrayed by BSA that they want to act immediately. However, I think there are some good reasons
to wait at least a few months, during which the new policy will have yet to
take effect:
- Alternative Scouting Organizations: I have no doubt that Christians in leadership positions at the regional council and national level will make arrangements for a new organization into which Christians boys and troops will be able to transfer more or less intact. But the troops must be still intact for this to happen. Troops can continue to meet, can pray, and can follow through with summer scouting plans in anticipation of godly alternatives to BSA. (To this end, I would urge Christians in positions of leadership at regional councils to be busy now in forming or allying with alternative forms of scouting into which troops may transfer.)
- Plans for this Summer: I know of no reason why scouts cannot follow through with plans made for this summer, which in some cases may have involved extensive plans and financial expense.
- Boys Close to Eagle: Some troops will have scouts who are close enough to making Eagle that they may be able to wrap it up before the end of the year. I think that this achievement is still of value prior to the policy change and that Christian boys ought to be given the chance to reach this goal.
Phillips conclusions, the change of
moral policy by BSA involves a tragic failure at the levels of morality,
character, and leadership. No doubt, the
forces of moral barbarism have succeeded here in driving the followers of
Christ farther to the margins of society. While this is lamentable, it is unavoidable,
in my opinion. But Christians in places
like China and Africa have been thriving without being able to participate in
secularized youth programs. We must
honor God and His Word, remember our calling, and prayerfully take action that
will honor biblical principle and send a godly message to our youths. “The
Lord declares... ‘Those who honor me, I will honor’” (1 Samuel 2:30).
In my own posting (dated 15 April)
where I urged the BSA to stand firm, I concluded by saying – If the BSA
caves-in on being ‘morally straight,’ then I will personally retire my Eagle
ring – never to be worn by me again!
Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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