When I was in elementary school I was in the Cub Scouts. After about a year I got bored with it and quit, but I did have many good times. I don’t recall any specifically religious proselytizing from any Scout leaders (or any perverted Scout leaders with a fondness for young boys), but I do remember having to memorize the Scouts’ Oath. I must admit that it’s been so long I cannot recall which version I learned but this one sounds about right:
I, (name), promise to do my best
To do my duty to God and my country,
To help other people, and
To obey the Law of the Pack.
The Boy Scouts forcing religion upon children is bad enough, but the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) has also unfairly and immorally targeted homosexuals for banishment from the BSA, and this has been going on for decades. Even as recently as 2012 the BSA has targeted a number of individuals, including Jennifer Tyrrell.
For an association that allegedly asks its members to follow certain moral standards they sure have a funny way of expressing those supposed deeply held beliefs. They ask Scouts to pledge to be “Helpful,” “Friendly,” “Kind,” and “Courteous.” I don’t think discriminating against certain groups of people, in this case atheists and homosexuals, matches any of the previous moral precepts. I recall when I was in the Scouts it was stressed that all people ought to be treated kindly and that one should strive to be helpful, but perhaps that only applies to other “morally straight” Christians.
I am honestly ashamed to have been at one time a proud wearer of the Scout uniform. It is for this reason that I ask all people to boycott the BSA’s Christmas tree sales this holiday. Hopefully if enough people take part they will finally realize that they are not living up to the standards which they preach. Hopefully with time we can change these discriminatory policies of the BSA.
