llwyn

It sounds like everyone has a handle on the declaration of religious principle, and that's good. Two brief remarks: Merlyn, you said, Ernest Seton, the first chief scout of the BSA and writer of the first BSA handbook, didn't. Judging by his autobiography and his other writings and public statements, I doubt he would be allowed to join to BSA today. He was quite skeptical about gods. I have read much of ETS and spent hours in the library at Philmont and the first thing that came to mind was actually an incident that happened yesterday. I was reading a magazine that was really a schedule of Pow-Wows in 2002 throughout the U.S. and came across an editorial in the back that was stressing the importance of delivering spiritual values to the next generation of pow-wow dancers. To my surprise and delight the writer was using ETS's book, The Gospel of the Red Man, which as you probably know, is all about God. I'm sure that "black wolf" would be allowed into the BSA today, and I'm equally convinced that he was no skeptic about God. And little billie, you said, (Actually, there's an avenue for abuse here that may be seen as an unwitting temptation to the atheist child to lie, but that's another issue) This is a good point, but I think it is precisely the issue: The GSUSA seems to be the unwitting party here, not the little atheist girl. And the avenues for abuse are wide and smooth. One reason I like the Religious Awards Program is that, though there are many, they are quite specific and the religious institutions must carefully plan their application to be included. There is no room for dicker in the 12th point of the Scout Law - and an atheist, in my experience, will wittingly say whatever it takes to achieve their desired outcome. At least they can't get a God & Country Award for some crudely crafted religious system that they made up or that they overheard from some woosey-headed New-Ager. No, my friend, I have to disagree - this is not a "position the BSA should consider ..." YiS, llwyn

K9gold-scout, You said, In the light of recent findings, two articles in the NY Times suggest that there is a link to homosexual priests and and the abuse suffered by mostly teen Catholic boys. Seek the truth and maybe the BSA has the correct view of youth protection. And I wondered how long before we got to this point. Also notice that the abuse is suffered by mostly teen boys - the very age group we seek to protect and teach. I think it is a little disingenuous for homosexual activists to always use the ruse that almost no homosexuals are pedophiles - after all,pedophiles are by definition attracted to prepubescent children. Homosexuals are often attracted to teens, and Boy Scouts are nearly all in their teens. Should we let each parish decide whether or not to "tolerate" a gay priest? I say No. Should we go back on delivering the promise? I say no. Logistical problems aside, is it wrong to stick to the foundational ethic of any institution? I say no. I say, suck it up, men. Stick to your guns. Protect this great institution and its ideals. llwyn