evmori

Two adults per group would be a good idea but isn't required.

This happens all the time. Everyone will not get along with everyone else. That's life! And learning to understand & deal with this is not always easy for adults or boys. Every situation is different. Sometimes the boy knows how to push an adults buttons & visa versa. The key is recognizing this & stopping it before it gets ugly.

Not up! Tent down!

Ed, the only lawsuit in the cradle of liberty situation is the BSA's lawsuit against the city. So how's that an attack AGAINST the BSA? I meant in general. The Balboa Park case where the plaintiffs have no standing & all rest!

Keep spinning Merlyn! The fact is atheist are not discriminated against. All these lawsuits are nothing more than attacks against the BSA.

Consider the reason this has dragged on so long, I would think the DC would make this a top priority & get this resolved ASAP. Will keep praying for your son!

keptic writes: Merlyn: Where is it written that BSA has to serve Gay and Atheist kids, especially the Atheist. Nowhere that I know of. But if government money is involved, I and a lot of other atheists aren't going to let that pass. What about all those taxpayer dollars that help support houses of worship? There is a lot more cash heading that way than the BSA's way. Are the atheists gonna let that pass?

I'm still trying to figure out the down side other than maybe re-naming Texas Hold 'Em to New Mexico Grab 'Em!

Skeptic, it doesn't matter how many public services works the BSA does; that cannot justify violating the civil rights of other people. Who's civil rights are being violated? And how are they being violated? Are atheists denied public access to something?

Point is the foot baths were installed with public money for religious reasons. The pool example is totally different since it seem all the money was from a donation. So looks like we are back to the beginning. Taxes, which are public monies, are used to support all types of religious groups yet the the BSA is depicted as being the only bad guy. Sounds like selective prosecution to me.

I've been to Wood Badge, the old course, and loved every minute of it. Learned tons. Did it make me a better leader? I don't know if better is the correct word. I do feel my leadership skills were broadened & enhanced from Wood Badge. We had some of those WB snobs around, too. Ignored them. They will always be there.

Like I said, don't over think it!

Let's see, those foot baths for Muslims were installed with taxpayer money. No one said the pool was "rented" for a time for Muslims only, just that a time was set aside for them. Do you know where every penny of your taxes goes, Merlyn? I doubt it.

I always suggest the Scouts I counsel get the MB books and in most cases they do. I am always more than happy to lend them my copy. I don't expect the Scouts to read them. I do expect them to complete ALL the requirements for the badge I am counseling them for.

If Ed understood the concept, he wouldn't need to ask why the first two examples required being identified as an atheist. The VERY THING he was claiming, that floor sinks was an example of discrimination due to religious views, REQUIRES that the user's religious views be KNOWN in order to TEST whether particular religious views are required. But he couldn't even see that. And he stated himself that anyone can walk in and use the sinks without needing to identify their religious views. So HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY BE AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING RESTRICTED BY ONE'S RELIGIOUS VIEWS? Yet he claimed it was exactly THAT. Taxpayer funding for religious use, Merlyn. You seem to be losing focus here.

The reason I ask the questions I ask, Merlyn, isn't because I don't understand. I understand very well. I don't agree with your examples as they are not comparing the same things. Your examples of race discrimination don't equate to the discrimination you perceive atheists endure. Not all discrimination is equal! You should know that! And, Calico, if a public park gives the BSA a discounted rate over another group, the issue is with the park, not the BSA.

As a UC, you have no power to do anything. This women & her daughter should have been escorted out of the room by the Committee Chair and the Scoutmaster and told that this type of behavior is unacceptable & will not be tolerated and if it occurs again, they will be escorted from the building and asked to leave and if they refuse the authorities will be contacted to deal with the situation.

Why do you need to identify yourself as an atheist when asking these questions, with the exception of #3? Is it necessary information? If so, why is it necessary? I'm a Christian but if I want to use a public pool, I pay my fee & go swimming. If I want to use a public washroom, I walk in, do my business & walk out. An atheist can do the same thing.

They sure would JoeBob!

That's the way some interpret the 1st Amendment, OGE. And incorrect interpretation in my opinion.

I'd do what scoutldr posted! Don't over think it!

You're gonna have to do better than that Merlyn! That's weak! NWScouter, So what happens if there is a crime committed at a church? The police won't show up?

While I don't think adults should be banned from having cell phones on camping trips. if the SM doesn't want the adults to bring them, they should comply & leave them home.

Not in the way Philly supports the BSA. While I do think churches should be treated like any other non-profit, being tax-exempt is not the same as renting public property at subsidized rates. What's the difference? Whoa! This is the same major fallacy that half the country appears to labor under. Your taxes do not support an organization simply because they are tax-exempt. Taxpayer funds are NOT expended on them, ergo there is no tax support. Wanna bet! If churches paid taxes on their property & buildings, your taxes would be lower. Churches are entitled to and get the same services individual get. While our individual taxes aren't allocated directly to churches, our taxes do help pay for the public services they receive. So your tazxes do help support churches.

Merlyn, You taxes support every church in the city, county & state you live in! And I would bet some of those churches won't let you become a member unless you believe the way they believe! You tax dollars also go to tons of non-profits. Do you know what the policies of everyone of those non-profits is?