Originally posted by trehar:
I support the BSA in their right to exist, but if they only want god-fearing straight people, then they need to recruit at churches.

This is America. They can recruit anywhere they are welcome. Just because someone does not opine to your point of view does not make them discriminatory or bigots (us whom believe in a higher being and/or hetero lifestyles) are not neccessarily bigots or discriminatorees (for lack of a better word)

It happens both ways
Check out San Francisco where they (and the worthless ACLU) discriminate against Godfearing people and heterosexuals and waste taxpayer money performing nonlawful "unions" (and I'm not against 'em but the law is the law) and passing resolutions for the President to resign, and not letting the Boy scouts use public spaces.

There's a heck of a lot more better things to fight about... like, 'child abuse, lack of quality education, ecology, the economy than whether we agree their is or isnt a god (just dont utter it in the Scout Oath, Pledge of Allegience or whatever creed) that just lame (and this isnt pointed at previous post in a mean manner- I just dont understand)

Scouts has a heck of a lot to offer, even if they acknowledge God, is their a reason(s) your son cant participate- just because he's atheist?

What does camping, making a fire, earning merit badges, volunteer service, environmental learning, and the rest have to do with wether someone utters God in the Oath and doesnt let homosexuals (lack of better term?) be leaders?

[ 03-17-2006, 09:02 AM: Message edited by: Rockne ]

I've had some personal "experience" in this area. You see, I am, and my family are Humanists (we hold a non-theistic view of the world, basically humanists are atheists). Anyway, being an atheist, I have no problem with the Boy Scouts using our school to hold their meetings as long as they don't get special treatment over other groups (like free use of space while others are charged). The problem I had (that I brought to the principal's attention), is when the Boy Scouts come on campus during school hours and recruit the children. My son came home in 1st grade, after a visit from a recruiter, and wanted to join because it sounded fun. I was forced to tell him that we were not welcome because the BSA discriminates against gay/atheist families. He was very upset and could not understand why this group would think he isn't good enough to join just because he didn't believe in invisible, supernatural beings. It was a hard lesson in bigotry and intolerance for a 6 year old. The BSA went to the Supreme Court and won their right to discriminate by admitting that they are a private group. The bottom line is that our public school system, which is a branch of the government, and is supported by tax dollars by ALL people, does not discriminate on the basis of religion or sexual orientation; therefore, any groups allowed to recruit at our schools should be held to the same high standard. The BSA made their bed, now they must be content to lie in it. No child attending a public school should be made to feel unwelcome or unworthy in his own school. So I guess, there are potential legal problems that can ensue when a school's PTA/PTO endorses the BSA - the PTA/PTO would essentially be saying that it supports bigotry and intolerance - not a good idea if they want to keep from getting sued. I'm happy to say, that after speaking with the principal, the PTA (which was endorsing the BSA) is no longer affiliated with our school. We now have a more independent PTO, and since then, no other recruiters or flyers have been seen. I support the BSA in their right to exist, but if they only want god-fearing straight people, then they need to recruit at churches.

Our school has Girl Scouts and used to have Cub Scouts. It has nothing to do with the parent organization at all. It is up to the school and the principal wheither to have it in the school. I would rather my son be in a place where I know he is safe and I can get to in a few minutes. Everyone who uses the building after hours has to pay to use the school for the engineer and custodian. I believe it is $300. The only reason we don't have Cub Scouts now is because there wasn't enough interest from the boys.

My opinions as a scout leader and having been active in pto (that and fifty cents might buy you a cup of gas station coffee). PTO's and scouts- both girs and boys- can and should work together on activities. Carnivals landscape and school clean up days, babysitting @ meetings etc. can help the school and scouts grow, and most of the parents involvement may overlap. In view of equal (fair is where you show pigs and cows and ride the rides) treatment for all in the district PTo should not charter any outside organizations. There should be plenty of clubs, groups, churches and businesses willing to support youth organizations

On s light note, our school did charter (yeap, not the PTO but the school) a scout troop. They met same time and night as our PTO group. Well, TUesday morning our President gets a call asking what happened the night before and Admin needed her to come to the school.

The short of the story, the troop had been playing basketball in the hallway and a Dad trew the basketball at a clock. He knocked the clock out of "Wack" causeing ALL 15 clocks to stop and breaking the main clock. Hundreds of dollars later, and a few other breaches of trust , the troop was not granted a new contract and the PTO recieved an apology.

My point....I think it's safe to say BSA or GSA will not be sponsored by our school or PTO.

My favorite unfavorite topic rears its head.

BSA has every right to discriminate (even if the ACLU thinks its wrong). Glad to see others whom disagree not pushing their point on others but informing them of their stance

I'm a staunch BSA supporter (Eaglescout, Vigil Honor, Scoutmaster) and even I dont quite understand why BSA needs others to charter.

I agree, it is a contract, just remember put it to discussion and vote, majority rules (although liberals and some in mainstream america has sometimes forgotten that)

This topic, separation of church and state, and membership based on sexual orientation and morals.. Opens a gigantic debate :cool: