- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
http://www.sltrib.com/news/2538827-155/boy-scouts-leader-says-ban-on How do you think this is going to play out?
Ouch – My serious guess, is the church will abandon the BSA. Boy Scouting isn’t world wide, in other countries Young Men’s is on a different program. I think the church will just role in the other program.
In my home, my husband will likely put his eagle award back up now. He took it down in protest of the BSA’s policy.
I don’t think anything will change immediately. The church had a chance to leave BSA two years ago (almost to the week) when BSA announced gays scouts would be allowed. If BSA allows gay leaders it won’t force the church to have gay leaders. BSA also allows women leaders for some programs but the church doesn’t – I think this will be similar. Also Gates just expressed his opinion. The board isn’t voting on it yet.
Under that plan the church could continue to call scout leaders however they saw fit. Perhaps the only remaining point of contention would be when LDS troops go on campouts where they intermingle with other troops, like scout camp and jamborees. I’ve heard the argument that the church has positioned itself to mirror scouting with the duty to god program and how they could ramp up duty to god and phase out scouting. I’m not so sure that’s a wise plan. For instance, I may be more inclined to pull my kid out of mutual and move him to some other troop because let’s face it “Eagle Scout” looks better on résumés and scholarship applications than “duty to god award winner” (or whatever it’s called), at least outside the corridor. That may not matter to most though.
nibbler wrote:… let’s face it “Eagle Scout” looks better on résumés and scholarship applications than “duty to god award winner”…
Agree 100%.
I don’t love everything about scouts, and I know there are people on this forum who despise scouting, but I think it’s a better use of time than what many young men do with their spare time. I would be saddened if the church left scouting in favor of duty to god. In my opinion it would be separating us even more from the mainstream than we are already. Instead of somewhat diverse scout camps you’d have stake run duty to god camps every summer.
Back to the OP – in a way I think the BSA faces a similar challenge as the church: disinterested youth and a curriculum (e.g. doctrine) that seems less relevant to young people. As more people live in urban areas it’s harder to get outdoor experiences and outdoor skills aren’t valued or needed as much. Gates in a real way is advocating changing BSA’s definition of “morally straight” to include gays – and he said continuing on the current path isn’t sustainable. We’ll see if the church will redefine “morally straight” or at least be tolerant of those who define it differently.
I think Scouting could crash and burn if the LDS Church cut its ties, since the LDS Church is the biggest numerical participant by far, and I think leaders who loved and love Scouting know that. I don’t think any action will be taken reflexively.
I think the BSA will allow adult gay leaders and the Church will go along with it. The church troops are all led by LDS men. There are not enough active gay LDS men to really be a threat to LDS troops dynamics. By supporting the BSA decision to allow gay leaders, the LDS church wins major national PR points. After Prop 8 in California, the church needs something that symbolizes tolerance of the LGBT population without causing the church to actually change anything. This fits that need perfectly.
nibbler wrote:Under that plan the church could continue to call scout leaders however they saw fit. Perhaps the only remaining point of contention would be when LDS troops go on campouts where they intermingle with other troops, like scout camp and jamborees.
I agree with this. Just like when they decided to allow gay boys in Scouting, I think there will be no change in church troops or policy. BSA does allow women to be Scoutmasters and hold practically any other position, for example. The church does not call women to positions other than Scout Committee. I think when/if (I really believe when, I just said if to be politically correct) BSA changes this policy they will leave it up to sponsoring organization whether to allow gay leaders.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have two Eagle sons and another who is very close. I have been Scoutmaster or ASM a few times in the past. I also think Scouting is not for all boys and wouldn’t be upset if the church divested itself of Scouting.
It’s hard for me to get personally wound up about this either way. I feel fairly neutral (or undecided) on the gay issue but I’m no BSA fan. I never found the program engaging as a youth and my son never really participated actively. That said, I am fine with those who have gotten a great deal out of it. One program can’t meet the needs of everyone. It will be interesting to see what the conclusions are. I don’t think anything will change at this point – BSA is still allowing participating organizations to determine for themselves what the makeup of their leadership will be. I believe any significant change is still years away as there is a contingent in the church that believes scouting is a wonderful thing (that has been the experience of many and I can’t discount it). Personally, growing up, I loved Cub Scouts and my mom was a den mother at one point during my tenure in that organization. Once I reached Boy Scouts, I just sort of lost interest. I mean, I liked some of the camps (certainly not all of them), but it was not my bag. I was more interested in academics and science. I was learning to play guitar and I loved music. My parents didn’t want to push me for getting an Eagle, but rather let me have the latitude to pursue my own interests and to that I am grateful. As a result, Getting the First Class rank, mainly through the work of my leaders, was about as far as I got. I have not missed going further in Scouts in the least and it has not affected my ability to get a job, even at the young and inexperienced phase of my life.
It would not hurt my feelings any if the Church abandoned scouting and did their own thing. A lot of money is spent in that area and I think some of the savings could be used to make the girls programs more equitable to the boys.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.