Atheists and Boy Scouting

An email conversation discussing the Atheist and Homosexual issue in Scouting.

Introduction:
A short time ago, my cousin wrote me an email expressing his shock and disgust towards the Boy Scout program. He had just read an article on CNN.com about Scouting banning a 19-year-old Atheist Leader unless he changed his beliefs. My cousin and I were both Scouts. I’ve continued on as an adult in the program, where he’s pretty much left the program. I’ve attended several different training seminars and have run summer camp and other programs as a Volunteer for the last several years. I am by no means an expert, but I do have some incite into the program and its core values.

I'm looking to put together a formal editorial on the subject, so I created a survey to gather Writing.Com members opinions on the subject. Below are the survey link, my cousin’s email and my response. If you have any input, negative or positive I’d love to hear it.

                                                                            

The Survey:

Scouting  [ASR] #562961 A poll about Atheism and Homosexuality in Boy Scouting by Crickado

                                                                            

My cousin’s letter:

Hey Chris,

Now, I know you stood by the Scouts with their whole ban on gays thing, and while I disagreed, I could see their argument and yours and I respect your opinion. But I figured that this is a bit different:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/West/10/31/atheist.scout.ap/index.html

So now they're banning atheists too? To me, this is completely contradictory. They have to believe in a "higher power that is not necessarily religious", but science isn't good enough? I don't know, maybe I'm some whack job liberal, but this seems to me like it's just silly. Just curious what you think, considering you'd know more about the rules and regulations of the Scouts than I would...See ya later

Q

                                                                            

My Responce:

Hey Q,

         Actually, this is an old, well-known requirement of the Boy Scouts. Usually boys who question devine or high powers are allowed to stay in the program because it is believed that through participation in a program based in religion, that ideas and faith will be fostered. If a Scout goes out of his way to say, "Hey I'm an atheist and I'll never believe in a higher being," they're usually asked to leave. The idea is you're not living up to the 12th point of the Scout Law, Reverent. That to me seems fair. I've refused to sign off rank requirements for Scouts because they didn't live up to another point, like Trustworthy or Courteous. Personally, I'd never suggest throwing a boy out of the program for that reason, but I'd encourage them to word their non-belief as, 'I believe that there is a great power that created the world and universe.' I liken it to a Volcano, a natural occurrence and is more powerful that any one person. If some natural force is that powerful, isn't it reasonable to assume there is some force that created the universe and world. The idea is you want to teach the boy (or girl in Venturing) as much as you can. Positive role models will do more to make the child a better adult than banning him from the program.

         Now, the 19-year-old guy is an adult. His only purpose is to teach boys the program. He is now the role model. If his beliefs are not consistent with the BSA then he's not needed or wanted. That said, I think this is a 19 year old who's being strong headed. He wants to buck the system and I guess made a big deal about it at his Adult Leader Training. So much of a big deal, that Council Leaders were worried about how his opinion would be presented to the youth in his Troop. Honestly, I tell all the kids I was born Catholic, but I at times have issues with my religion. However, I do believe that there is something greater than me in the universe. Whether it’s a being or a natural phenomenon, I couldn’t say. This of course makes me a poor Catholic, but allows me the freedoms under Boy Scouting to believe as I chose.

         As for the gay issue, I tell adult leaders and Scout executives that I've never taught a gay Scout. I feel that nearly all children are uncertain about sexuality to one degree or another. This doesn't mean that a boy should be banned, unless he poses a threat to another Scout. I know many Scouts I grew up with who were struggling with their sexuality and later did realize they were gay. As leaders, it’s tough to argue that a gay leader is fit because the Scouts view that through the Jewish/Christian concept that Homosexuality is wrong, period. They are no longer learning how to be an adult. They are adults and the life style they have chosen is seen, by the Boy Scouts, as deviant. And to further the thinking; deviants shouldn't be allowed to pass their ideas off as normal to boys who are just learning about their own sexuality.

         In the real world, Scouting is not hunting down Gay Scout leaders. As a youth, I knew a few leaders who were gay, but they didn't talk about it or express opinions of pro-Gay pride ect. They didn’t bash Gays either. Now, I know what you’re thinking because it’s an obvious conclusion, "Oh, so they can be a part of this little organization as long as they shut up and color!" Yes and no. Straight Adults leaders that are into S&M or are Swingers are also outside the view of normal. If a Scoutmaster wore his uniform to some S&M rally, then he'd be thrown out too. Nearly all of the Leaders expelled from Scouting due to homosexuality were banned because they went out in the public and made it a point to say “I’m GAY and I’m a Scoutmaster!” The underlining idea is that sexuality should be a private matter.

         I've counseled Scouts who believed, or in some cases feared, they were gay and were afraid they were going to be thrown out of the Program. Fortunately, I was able to build a level of trust and they were comfortable enough to confide in me. My advice is always the same. Be who you are. Be proud of what you are. I do try to explain that they are at an awkward and confusing age. I do explain that Scouting isn't an organization that accepts the homosexual lifestyle and if they want to continue in the program they need to understand that they need to be discrete. Then I reminded them that there is nothing wrong with them. I try to see if they have a parent, family member, or friend of the family who they can talk to. I don't want them to be ashamed that they're gay, but I want them to understand that by wearing the uniform they are outwardly displaying the fact they belong to an organization which believes a homosexual lifestyle is not normal or healthy. Sometimes that's too much for a boy, but I can't say I've ever lost a Scout to that issue alone.

         Is it a touchy issue, you bet? People that want Scouting’s values to change set it off, but the BSA is a private organization. It would be like a Muslim joining the Catholic Church and then demanding that the church change to fit his/her old beliefs. It is what it is and it's not going to change just because it’s unpopular with people outside the program.

         Luckily, I never had issues with my sexuality or my belief that there is a higher power out there somewhere. Lucky me. But I do feel for the boys and adults who have a love for the program and happen to be gay or atheist. However, I also see why the Scouts push the issue as they do. Wearing the uniform promotes a certain set of values. They are well established and even people unfamiliar with the program know that a Scout should be a conservation minded, good turn doing, reverent boy.

         Don't get me wrong; the liberal nature of being me does have heartburn dealing with some of the conservative parts of the program. I tend to focus more on making a Scout a better woodsman, member of the community, a better adult, and future leader. Those are the wholesome ideals of the program far removed from the debate. It's in the middle ground where I teach the program. Yeah, it's standing on the fence, but in the end I’d rather reach out to the boys than play politics. I’m sure you still disagree with the concept of just kicking the guy out for his belief. However in the eyes of those who try and foster and maintain the ideals set forth by Scouting’s founding fathers, by letting him stay the program would be basically thumbing their noses at God. And no Scout Executive is going to ever do that.

Chris