Exclusivity of Scouts
December 4th, 2006 spryken
The Boy Scouts of America get some poor press regarding their exclusivity. That is they do not allow atheist or homosexuals to join.
I really want to talk about the INCLUSIVENESS of the Boy Scouts of America. In order to do that, I will have to address the exclusiveness. I admit the BSA does not allow known homosexual male leaders. While all the research I read when I was getting my undergraduate degree in Psychology indicated that the majority of pedophiles are white, heterosexual males, the BSA has decided to not take any chances with the well-being of the young men entrusted into their care. I find that understandable. It does not de facto exclude young men who have a homosexual orientation. Individual troops may have issues, but the requirements state:
Youth membership is the Boy Scouts of America is open to all boys and young adults who meet the joining requirements. Membership in Scouting, advancement, and achievement of leadership in Scouting units are open to all youths without regard to race or ethnic background and are based entirely upon individual merit.Your son can be a Scout if he is 11 years old (or has earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, or has completed the fifth grade and is at least 10 years old), but has not reached age 18.
On the religious, or non-religious topic:
The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life. Only persons willing to subscribe to this Declaration of Religious Principle and to the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled to certificates of membership.
In a nutshell, you can believe in any god/God and be a Boy Scout, but you can’t be an atheist. The entirety of Boy Scouts is based on a religious belief, that of a higher being. It is in the Oath and Law.
Our troop has Protestant and Catholic Christians and Hindu scouts. We have participated in Council activities with scouts from the Church of Latter Day Saints. We have scouts from each religious background working on and earning the religious award for their particular faith. Scouting is extremely inclusive when it comes to religion.
I have an issue when a scout or their parent want to complain and bring media attention when he is denied the rank of Eagle Scout due to being an atheist. What really amazes me, is that a scout is allowed to advance so far without meeting the requirements of living the Scout Spirit by fulfilling the Scout Oath and Law. The difference in earning Eagle and the other ranks is that the local troop oversees the advancement up to Eagle. For the Eagle rank, the Council conducts a Board of Review. Holding all scouts to the same standard for that Council.
So, I guess I want to say…Yes, the Boy Scouts of America are Exclusive. But, and this is a VERY big but, they are up front about it. Duty to God is a central part of Scouting. If you are an atheist, perhaps you should consider some other organization for your son. If, on the other hand, you believe in some higher being — Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, Buddist or any other faith — then scouting is a great organization to train young men in character and leadership.
Technorati Tags: Boy Scouts, BSA, Scouting
powered by performancing firefox
Entry Filed under: Boy Scouts
5 Comments Add your own
1. wunder | December 5th, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Many Buddhists do not believe in god, which makes them atheists regardless of how devout they are. One of our local troops is chartered at a Buddhist temple. That troop has a long, proud history, with many Eagle Scouts.
Worldwide, Scouting includes many people who are not monotheists or even theists. The constituiton of the world movement (WOSM) has an excellent and flexible definition of Duty to God, “Adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom.”
The WOSM web site has a good Q&A on this: http://www.scout.org/en/information_events/resource_centre/library/the_leader_s_questions/spiritual_dimension
Even in Christian faiths, it is normal to doubt and struggle with your belief in God. “Who never doubted, never half believed,” as Philip James Bailey observed. The WOSM Q&A also talks about Scouts maturing in their beliefs.
The BSA is short-sighted and parochial for using a narrower definition than WOSM.
Walter Underwood, Scoutmaster, Troop 14
2. Bobster
| December 6th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
In response to Walter’s comment, and the post in general, I have to say that this is what my wife would call “A sticky wicket” of a situation.
But that of course depends on your viewpoint. Personally I believe the BSA has clearly stated and expressed it’s viewpoint. If in someone’s opinion the viewpoint is too narrow, or for that matter too broad, it is moot.
The BSA has always, since it’s inception, supported this stated view. It never dissembled or tried to hide it. It has in fact broadened it over the years already. Anyone that joins the organization will be made aware of it by reading the various manuals and materials provided to new and prospective members.
Narrow or not, and I think it is actually rather broad in scope myself, it is what it is, and no one forces anyone to join the organization. If you don’t like the groups stated policies you are free to work within the organization to attempt to change them.
Or, start a new organization with principles more to your own liking. After all that’s what has happened, and is still happening to the “Christian” faith, as well as most other faiths.
Continued fracturing based on non acceptance of the principles or practices of the parent body. Sooner or later everyone will be the sole member of their own faith and their own version of the BSA.
Cheers,
Robert Porter
3. spryken
| December 7th, 2006 at 12:53 am
Walter,
Thanks for your comments. I agree that the BSA’s concept of Duty to God is restrictive. However, they have expanded on it. It is a slow process.
What really got me going, was the perceived effort on the part of a few to remove the spiritual aspect completely. Duty to God has been and should continue to be an integral part to scouting. Different cultures and different religions interpret God differently, but the spiritual duty is still there.
Ken
4. wunder | December 13th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
I agree that most units, mine included, can do a lot more with the twelfth point. BSA has actually made that harder by focusing on the endpoint instead of the journey.
BSA requires a specific kind of belief, which can be an obstacle to boys developing their faith. And that requirement is impossible to meet for some long-time units (Buddhists). It is a mess.
WOSM uses the following approach, which is more likely to work than telling people what to believe.
1. Enable young people to experience spirituality through Scout activities
2. Make time for young people to discover and express the meaning of life
3. Help each individual to identify with his or her spiritual and religious heritage
4. Encourage internalisation and personal commitment
5. Develop open and respectful attitudes
Like any good Scouting program, this uses participating in new experience, the boy’s initiative, and adult models to build character. It is both good Scouting and good theology.
BSA units are free to use the WOSM approach to enrich their program as long as they also adhere to the BSA Declaration of Religious Principle.
5. A Scout’s Campfire &hellip | January 9th, 2007 at 11:54 pm
[…] OK, maybe it is my background with a Masters of Divinity. Maybe it is a special alignment of stars. Who knows why, but the Duty to God portion of the Scout Oath and Law have been weighing heavily on my mind. Our district Roundtable this month featured a presentation on “Duty to God”. Since my post on the “Exclusivity of Scouts“, I have considered the National Boy Scouts of America stance on religion and homosexuality. While I wish BSA took a position more in keeping with the World Organization of the Scout Movement, they do not. […]
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed