Comments on: America Elects the Next Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America? http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/ Keeping you informed about Scouting! Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:21:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Paul V. Cox http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-17554 Paul V. Cox Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:37:50 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-17554 I for one disagree with the many previous posted comments about the Boy Scouts being a discrimating organization. The Boy Scouts have a very high moral standard to uphold and set the example for the youth of America of the highest standard. If the previous posted coments want to bash the standards of some of the worst examples that our youth could follow you would be better to tell the youth to not copy the many politicians in government that have been convited or should be convicted of froud, tax evasion, and down wright lieing to the general public about there position and ways they run their jobs and campagins to get elected. I personaly hope that our current President turns down the Honary job of President of the Boy Scouts of America. His track record as President for the first few months has been nothing more than takeing America down the tubes to runiation. We are now so deep in debt that our childrens grand children will never be able to pay off the debt he has generated. He has exercised powers to control public affairs through Government controld that the Constitution in no way allowes a President to do. Your and my freedoms are in great danger of being lost to this President if he is allowed to continued doing thing that he is doing now. He will first tax you till you squeek and then mess with your health care benifits and end up takeing your guns so you have no defense aginst the crooks walking the streets. This is not the leader that the Boy Scouts need as an Honary President for a Roll model for our youth to look up to. Yours in Scouting, WWW, In God We Trust, English Only I for one disagree with the many previous posted comments about the Boy Scouts being a discrimating organization. The Boy Scouts have a very high moral standard to uphold and set the example for the youth of America of the highest standard.

If the previous posted coments want to bash the standards of some of the worst examples that our youth could follow you would be better to tell the youth to not copy the many politicians in government that have been convited or should be convicted of froud, tax evasion, and down wright lieing to the general public about there position and ways they run their jobs and campagins to get elected.

I personaly hope that our current President turns down the Honary job of President of the Boy Scouts of America. His track record as President for the first few months has been nothing more than takeing America down the tubes to runiation. We are now so deep in debt that our childrens grand children will never be able to pay off the debt he has generated. He has exercised powers to control public affairs through Government controld that the Constitution in no way allowes a President to do. Your and my freedoms are in great danger of being lost to this President if he is allowed to continued doing thing that he is doing now.

He will first tax you till you squeek and then mess with your health care benifits and end up takeing your guns so you have no defense aginst the crooks walking the streets. This is not the leader that the Boy Scouts need as an Honary President for a Roll model for our youth to look up to.

Yours in Scouting,
WWW,
In God We Trust,
English Only

]]> By: Mike http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-16187 Mike Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:45:16 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-16187 Folks, it would be nice to educate yourself before opening your mouth concerning religion and homosexuals and the Boy Scouts of America (see questions and answers below). As far as Mr. Obama being and accepting the next Honorary President position in the Boy Scouts of America, it would be unethical and immoral considering his bigotry against whites as evident from attending the extremely racist church in South Chicago Church with his wife for 20 years and his claim that he never heard his pastor Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. preach hatred of America. Obama was in the pews last July 22 when the minister blamed the “white arrogance” of America’s Caucasian majority for the world’s suffering, especially the oppression of blacks. His morals and ethics therefore are extremely contrary to the Scout Law and Promise and the basic tenancies of Scouting and their original Congressional Charter. Please read and learn: Q. How does the Boy Scouts of America define religion? A. Boy Scouts of America is not a religion; it is a nonsectarian association of persons who believe in God. The Declaration of Religious Principle describes God in a broadly interfaith way as “the ruling and leading power in the universe” to whom we are grateful for “favors and blessings.” Q. What religions are involved with Scouting? A. Virtually every religion is represented in the Boy Scouts of America, from Catholics and Protestants, to the Armenian Church of America and Zoroastrians. The Religious Relationships Committee, which includes over 30 religious groups represented in Scouting, determines whether a religion is an appropriate partner for Scouting, and reviews any “duty to God” material which is to be used in Scouting for consistency with Boy Scout policies. Q. What allows the Boy Scouts of America to exclude atheists and agnostics from membership? A. The Boy Scouts of America is a private membership group. As with any private organization, Boy Scouts’ retains the constitutional right to establish and maintain standards for membership. Anyone who supports the values of Scouting and meets these standards is welcome to join the organization. Q. Don't Boy Scouts discriminate against gays and atheists? A. Boy Scouts of America is one of the most diverse youth groups in the country, serving boys of every ethnicity, religion, and economic circumstance and having programs for older teens of both sexes. That Boy Scouts also has traditional values, like requiring youth to do their "duty to God" and be "morally straight" is nothing to be ashamed of and should not be controversial. No court case has ever held that Boy Scouts discriminates unlawfully, and it is unfortunate here that anyone would characterized Boy Scouts' constitutionally protected right to hold traditional values as "discriminatory." That is just name-calling. Folks, it would be nice to educate yourself before opening your mouth concerning religion and homosexuals and the Boy Scouts of America (see questions and answers below).

As far as Mr. Obama being and accepting the next Honorary President position in the Boy Scouts of America, it would be unethical and immoral considering his bigotry against whites as evident from attending the extremely racist church in South Chicago Church with his wife for 20 years and his claim that he never heard his pastor Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. preach hatred of America. Obama was in the pews last July 22 when the minister blamed the “white arrogance” of America’s Caucasian majority for the world’s suffering, especially the oppression of blacks. His morals and ethics therefore are extremely contrary to the Scout Law and Promise and the basic tenancies of Scouting and their original Congressional Charter.

Please read and learn:

Q. How does the Boy Scouts of America define religion?

A. Boy Scouts of America is not a religion; it is a nonsectarian association of persons who believe in God. The Declaration of Religious Principle describes God in a broadly interfaith way as “the ruling and leading power in the universe” to whom we are grateful for “favors and blessings.”

Q. What religions are involved with Scouting?

A. Virtually every religion is represented in the Boy Scouts of America, from Catholics and Protestants, to the Armenian Church of America and Zoroastrians. The Religious Relationships Committee, which includes over 30 religious groups represented in Scouting, determines whether a religion is an appropriate partner for Scouting, and reviews any “duty to God” material which is to be used in Scouting for consistency with Boy Scout policies.

Q. What allows the Boy Scouts of America to exclude atheists and agnostics from membership?

A. The Boy Scouts of America is a private membership group. As with any private organization, Boy Scouts’ retains the constitutional right to establish and maintain standards for membership. Anyone who supports the values of Scouting and meets these standards is welcome to join the organization.

Q. Don’t Boy Scouts discriminate against gays and atheists?

A. Boy Scouts of America is one of the most diverse youth groups in the country, serving boys of every ethnicity, religion, and economic circumstance and having programs for older teens of both sexes. That Boy Scouts also has traditional values, like requiring youth to do their “duty to God” and be “morally straight” is nothing to be ashamed of and should not be controversial. No court case has ever held that Boy Scouts discriminates unlawfully, and it is unfortunate here that anyone would characterized Boy Scouts’ constitutionally protected right to hold traditional values as “discriminatory.” That is just name-calling.

]]> By: George Fosselius http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-14956 George Fosselius Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:30:37 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-14956 To Dave M, who thinks the signature of the Office of President is a political thing: I'm proud of the presidential signatures on my various certificates, from Eisenhower and Nixon to Bush. I disagree with the corrupt politics and greed of the rich and powerful who supported the downfall of the country under Bush. If you feel strongly about Obama, you should burn your son's Eagle Certificate in public. Otherwise, join me, your political enemy, in supporting Scouting, God and Country, even with their institutional faults. To Dave M, who thinks the signature of the Office of President is a political thing:
I’m proud of the presidential signatures on my various certificates, from Eisenhower and Nixon to Bush.
I disagree with the corrupt politics and greed of the rich and powerful who supported the downfall of the country under Bush.
If you feel strongly about Obama, you should burn your son’s Eagle Certificate in public.
Otherwise, join me, your political enemy, in supporting Scouting, God and Country, even with their institutional faults.

]]> By: Bob M. http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-14888 Bob M. Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:05:16 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-14888 As an Eagle Scout, I've long thought, that perhaps the highest elected Eagle Scout in the land (i.e. Speaker of the House, Senate Pro tem, or, in President Gerald Ford's case, President of the United States, etc.), should be offered the position as "Honorary President" - that way, it's STILL non-partisan, and our Honorary President actually has a DEEPLY vested interest in the movement, and commitment to Scouts, Scouters, & Scouting. As an Eagle Scout, I’ve long thought, that perhaps the highest elected Eagle Scout in the land (i.e. Speaker of the House, Senate Pro tem, or, in President Gerald Ford’s case, President of the United States, etc.), should be offered the position as “Honorary President” – that way, it’s STILL non-partisan, and our Honorary President actually has a DEEPLY vested interest in the movement, and commitment to Scouts, Scouters, & Scouting.

]]> By: Nathan http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-14701 Nathan Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:56:00 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-14701 I'm an Eagle Scout and active in the movement at the local, regional and national level. I find this whole discussion perplexing. Obama will be the honorary President. US Presidents have roles as policy makers (like prime ministers) and separate roles as heads of state (like kings). This is a head of state role. He has a duty to accept it and we have a duty to accept him. This is part of being an American and the Boy Scouts have no business playing in politics. On the contentious issues of atheism and homosexuality - the professional staff has tried to change and soften their rhetoric and they have been yanked back in line by conservative religious ideologues within the movement. This is a shame in my opinion. The BSA knows that homosexual does not equal pedophile, but there seem to be some powerful religious groups (mainly the Morman (LDS) Church to my understanding) that do not. On the point of atheism and agnosticism - the scouts require the acknowledgment of a higher being/spirit/calling. They do not require that you belong to any organized faith group. I've had many scouting friends who were not religious or even believers in any particular faith. Indeed Buddhism does not believe in a higher being necessarily, and there are thousands of Buddhist Boy Scouts. This leads to an interesting point on the tenants of scouting. We pledge to do our duty to God. Does one necessarily have to believe in God to do his duty to God? Can you do your duty to the ideals that you picture in God? And if so aren't you still doing your duty to God? I’m an Eagle Scout and active in the movement at the local, regional and national level. I find this whole discussion perplexing. Obama will be the honorary President. US Presidents have roles as policy makers (like prime ministers) and separate roles as heads of state (like kings). This is a head of state role. He has a duty to accept it and we have a duty to accept him. This is part of being an American and the Boy Scouts have no business playing in politics.

On the contentious issues of atheism and homosexuality – the professional staff has tried to change and soften their rhetoric and they have been yanked back in line by conservative religious ideologues within the movement. This is a shame in my opinion. The BSA knows that homosexual does not equal pedophile, but there seem to be some powerful religious groups (mainly the Morman (LDS) Church to my understanding) that do not.

On the point of atheism and agnosticism – the scouts require the acknowledgment of a higher being/spirit/calling. They do not require that you belong to any organized faith group. I’ve had many scouting friends who were not religious or even believers in any particular faith. Indeed Buddhism does not believe in a higher being necessarily, and there are thousands of Buddhist Boy Scouts.

This leads to an interesting point on the tenants of scouting. We pledge to do our duty to God. Does one necessarily have to believe in God to do his duty to God? Can you do your duty to the ideals that you picture in God? And if so aren’t you still doing your duty to God?

]]> By: still scouting http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-14634 still scouting Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:38:35 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-14634 In a previous post: "It makes me sick that a group that discriminates against people because of religious affiliation would even think that there should be a link [to] the government, as the government believes in the equality of all people...." Yeah, right. In a previous post: “It makes me sick that a group that discriminates against people because of religious affiliation would even think that there should be a link [to] the government, as the government believes in the equality of all people….”

Yeah, right.

]]> By: Jack Berdeaux http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-8421 Jack Berdeaux Thu, 07 May 2009 01:32:08 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-8421 Obama should have been a Boy Scout. I watch news broadcast on CBS Evening News (05/06/09) and notice the American Flag was displayed to the left of the president and the other countries flag was to his right. Exactly when did the regulations change? The American flag has always been to the speaker’s right - as (s)he faces the audience from a stage or podium. Obama should have been a Boy Scout. I watch news broadcast on CBS Evening News (05/06/09) and notice the American Flag was displayed to the left of the president and the other countries flag was to his right. Exactly when did the regulations change? The American flag has always been to the speaker’s right – as (s)he faces the audience from a stage or podium.

]]> By: Eric the Moderate http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-3630 Eric the Moderate Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:12:04 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-3630 The postings on this blogsite never cease to amaze in their illogical arguements. According to their logic, a K.K.K. member should have the legal right to become a member of the NAACP because it is "immoral" to think otherwise. This country is really becoming a twisted mess when people cannot understand why a moral and values promoting organization like the BSA won't allow those who don't believe in God(or in the case of this last religious "fence sitter" Agnostic) or homosexuals into their ranks.Disagreement with the gay lifestyle or athesist life is not "hatred", it's a difference in values. To think otherwise is truly "warped". The core of the BSA is it's values, not merit badges,ranks,camping, or other activities. Their main goal is to mold young men into moral,involved, citizens, who are prepared in this life and in the next. If you compromise on these requirments for membership then you will be destroying the things BSA stands for thus the purpose of the organization. There is no such thing as moral relativism in these cases. If you change the BSA policies to accept these people, then expect a large Exodus of people out of the organization for one of the last examples of Americana will cease to exist. The postings on this blogsite never cease to amaze in their illogical arguements. According to their logic, a K.K.K. member should have the legal right to become a member of the NAACP because it is “immoral” to think otherwise. This country is really becoming a twisted mess when people cannot understand why a moral and values promoting organization like the BSA won’t allow those who don’t believe in God(or in the case of this last religious “fence sitter” Agnostic) or homosexuals into their ranks.Disagreement with the gay lifestyle or athesist life is not “hatred”, it’s a difference in values. To think otherwise is truly “warped”. The core of the BSA is it’s values, not merit badges,ranks,camping, or other activities. Their main goal is to mold young men into moral,involved, citizens, who are prepared in this life and in the next. If you compromise on these requirments for membership then you will be destroying the things BSA stands for thus the purpose of the organization. There is no such thing as moral relativism in these cases. If you change the BSA policies to accept these people, then expect a large Exodus of people out of the organization for one of the last examples of Americana will cease to exist.

]]> By: JayRo http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-3603 JayRo Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:46:43 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-3603 I hope he choose not to support intolerance. The BSA has had it's share of legal issues related to it's private discrimination practices. In some states, they claim to be a religious organization to avoid penalties and in others, they claim to be a business. It depends on the prevailing laws. I found this post because I was told today that I could not continue to be a Scout leader because I am Agnostic. My committee, district, council and chartered organization are all ok with me but after all these defeats, two intolerant individuals in our pack went to the National council for a review. The result was that both my son and I are unwelcome in an organization that we care deeply about. I know, how can you care for an organization that is so warped? If you can show me the perfect person or organization, I'll join them. In the mean time, the core of the BSA program is solid. What now? Join the fight started at http://www.scoutingforall.org. All you displaced Scouters out there can help change the practices of the BSA and help it become what it was when we were boys. I hope he choose not to support intolerance. The BSA has had it’s share of legal issues related to it’s private discrimination practices. In some states, they claim to be a religious organization to avoid penalties and in others, they claim to be a business. It depends on the prevailing laws.
I found this post because I was told today that I could not continue to be a Scout leader because I am Agnostic. My committee, district, council and chartered organization are all ok with me but after all these defeats, two intolerant individuals in our pack went to the National council for a review. The result was that both my son and I are unwelcome in an organization that we care deeply about. I know, how can you care for an organization that is so warped? If you can show me the perfect person or organization, I’ll join them. In the mean time, the core of the BSA program is solid.
What now? Join the fight started at http://www.scoutingforall.org. All you displaced Scouters out there can help change the practices of the BSA and help it become what it was when we were boys.

]]> By: Joe NIemczura http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/11/05/america-elects-the-next-honorary-president-of-the-boy-scouts-of-america/comment-page-1/#comment-3333 Joe NIemczura Thu, 22 Jan 2009 23:58:58 +0000 http://www.scoutingnews.org/?p=659#comment-3333 Has the BSA really been taken over by the Religiosu Right?? oh no Mr Bill!!! Like my older brother, I am an Eagle Scout, (Algonquin Council, 1970) also earned the Ad Altare Dei Medal and OA (B). I have been a minor elected official( school board), have done overseas medical Christian missionary work, and I attend Catholic church on a regular basis. Yes I am a fervent Democrat. I have two daughters; this got me off the hook from being a Scout volunteer as a grownup but I taught my wife and both girls just about all the scout skills ( and is a lot more fun to camp with girls IMHO!) Be that as it may: I *want* Barack Hussein Obama to be the honorary President, and those of you who don't should quit the organization. When he does, I want BSA to clean house and prevent the Religious Right from this strangelhold on dictating the qualifications of adult leaders, so that atheists and Jews and Muslims and Hindus and whatever, can be leaders. Dobson should not be telling the BSA how to conduct business. Like Colin Powell said, our republic is one based on separation of church & state as well as tolerance; to the extent that BSA promotes Christianity over other religions or noreligions, this is plain ol' wrong. My younger brother was gay and died of AIDS in 1992. Not all homosexuals are pedophiles, and a good number of boys are born gay ( it is not a choice for those who are gay!) Sure, BSA has a valid reason to sort out pedophiles form its ranks of adult leaders, but BSA needs to stop discriminating against gays. Have to admit I haven't really paid attention to this issue, but ehre's my two cents. ( and GWB was a *terrible* role model for boys!) Has the BSA really been taken over by the Religiosu Right?? oh no Mr Bill!!!

Like my older brother, I am an Eagle Scout, (Algonquin Council, 1970) also earned the Ad Altare Dei Medal and OA (B). I have been a minor elected official( school board), have done overseas medical Christian missionary work, and I attend Catholic church on a regular basis. Yes I am a fervent Democrat. I have two daughters; this got me off the hook from being a Scout volunteer as a grownup but I taught my wife and both girls just about all the scout skills ( and is a lot more fun to camp with girls IMHO!)

Be that as it may: I *want* Barack Hussein Obama to be the honorary President, and those of you who don’t should quit the organization. When he does, I want BSA to clean house and prevent the Religious Right from this strangelhold on dictating the qualifications of adult leaders, so that atheists and Jews and Muslims and Hindus and whatever, can be leaders. Dobson should not be telling the BSA how to conduct business. Like Colin Powell said, our republic is one based on separation of church & state as well as tolerance; to the extent that BSA promotes Christianity over other religions or noreligions, this is plain ol’ wrong.

My younger brother was gay and died of AIDS in 1992. Not all homosexuals are pedophiles, and a good number of boys are born gay ( it is not a choice for those who are gay!) Sure, BSA has a valid reason to sort out pedophiles form its ranks of adult leaders, but BSA needs to stop discriminating against gays.

Have to admit I haven’t really paid attention to this issue, but ehre’s my two cents. ( and GWB was a *terrible* role model for boys!)

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