Boy Scouts Discrimination (beliefs, homosexuals, attending, America, atheist) - Page 4

Ryan2065 · #31 09-06-2006, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maize

Before someone says I am being unfair to my son, I don't think so. There are other organizations that better reflect our values and beliefs where he can do similar activites to what the Boy Scouts do.

Its still nice to be able to put on your job resume "I was an Eagle scout!" In fact, at least in my council, when you become an eagle scout you meet with a "sponsor". This sponsor is a older eagle scout who has become successful in his life. The purpose of this program is to keep in touch with this sponsor and he will help you get your life together and give advice and all that fun crazy stuff.

There are many opportunities that the Boy Scouts offer that cannot be re-created for a growing boy... For one the National Jamboree... 40,000 of your peers meeting and you walk around, meet people from completely different states and cultures... All fun stuff like that. There are programs where each state offers food unique to that state and shares it with the other scouts... I am not exactly sure how this experience can be re-created by other organizations.

There are other examples but that one to me is the best example...

MaddLlama · #32 09-06-2006, 08:58 AM

If there is even a remote chance that her son could be ridiculed or even removed from the scouts because his mother is not heterosexual, then I can certainly understand why the bad would outweigh the good 100% for her.

Besides, from what I have heard abut UU churches, I'm sure her son will be able to get similar "mentoring" from members of the congregation (only difference is, it will be voluntary, and not obligatory).

Do people who conduct job interviews really think that you're a better candidate for a job if you were an eagle scout?

Booko · #33 09-06-2006, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Do people who conduct job interviews really think that you're a better candidate for a job if you were an eagle scout?

Yes, they do. And colleges also take that into consideration as well.

Becoming an Eagle Scout takes some work, and shows a spirit of community service as well. If someone's an Eagle Scout, it's a pretty good bet you're not dealing with a slacker.

The same is true for the Girl Scout's Gold Award.

Scuba Pete · #34 09-06-2006, 09:29 AM

Their policy towards atheists is embarrassing. Not that we don't have our share of them in our ranks. But while it's legal for the Scouts to do so, it is incredibly narrow minded and bigoted. It's the one thing I really hate.

As for homosexuals, the BSA does not allow ANY SORT of sexuality in any of it's units. This goes for OVERTLY hetero or homo sexual relationships. The biggest issue is when any politically motivated group tries to use the Scouts to further their purpose and they get shut down REALLY quick. Does that mean that there are no homophobes? I could only wish! Bigotry is rampant here just as it is in regular society. Unfortunately, the need to maintain neutrality often gets tangled up with homophobia and we have some conflicting documents to deal with. I do know of a lesbian Cub Master and she has no axe to grind with boys so young.

When it comes to the military, the BSA is some of the ripest recruiting fields for our armed services. Of course they want them on their bases and will try and accomodate them. It is far cheaper for the boys to go to them then it is for them to go to the boys.

On a positive note, with the advent of Venture Scouts, the BSA now allows females to join. There are still some STOOPID rules about who can earn "Eagle" and I am working to open that up to ALL Scouts. Those who earn the highest award in Venturing (The Ranger Award or the Silver Medal) or the equivalent in Sea Scouts (Quartermaster Award) have the same priveldges in the Armed forces as an Eagle Scout. However, the prestige factor of the various awards has a huge variation.

In short, I see a LOT of good that comes from the Scout Program and am proud to be a part of it. They have a LONG way to go in leveling the field for ALL Americans though, and I plan to hold their feet to the fire.

Scuba Pete · #35 09-06-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

If there is even a remote chance that her son could be ridiculed or even removed from the scouts because his mother is not heterosexual, then I can certainly understand why the bad would outweigh the good 100% for her.

This is not allowed. They would only restrict the parent and not the child.

Scuba Pete · #36 09-06-2006, 09:33 AM

The Eagle is a prestigious award indeed. Less than 2% ever join Boy Scouts. Of that 2%, about 2% actually make it to Eagle.

Of all the Astronauts that landed on the moon only ONE was not an Eagle Scout. He had attained the rank just below that one: Life. Do the math: that is unbelieveable.

Ciscokid · #37 09-06-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

Do people who conduct job interviews really think that you're a better candidate for a job if you were an eagle scout?

I was thinking the same thing....great you can start a fire with rope and a branch, tie knots like nobody's biz....but can you sell the company's products in an efficient and profitable manner.

MaddLlama · #38 09-06-2006, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetDoc

As for homosexuals, the BSA does not allow ANY SORT of sexuality in any of it's units. This goes for OVERTLY hetero or homo sexual relationships.

This may be true, but it is also true that homsoexuals are targeted. I have heard of several cases of scout masters being let go for being gay, when they had never mentioned anything about it during anything having to do with the BSA. The BSA officials found out through other unrelated channels, I think one of them was in a local paper as part of an article on a pride parade. To me, that isn't right. That's not being overtly anything - that's trying hard to uphold the rules of scouting. And, they get fired for it.

Quote:

This is not allowed. They would only restrict the parent and not the child.

Well, I'mm still with Maize on this one. I wouldn't want my children to be a part of an organization that spits on the values of acceptance and tolerance that I want to teach them.

Now, the GSA on the other hand is a completely different story. If I have a daughter I will certainly encourage her to join.