cfs4539

The bottom line is that as long as people still respond to Merlyn ranting, he won't quit! It gives him great pleasure to see the amount of turmoil he can cause. I too agree 100% with K9. I don't like anything Merlyn has had to say about the Boy Scouts, I don't care for his politics, and I feel sorry that he does not believe in our Creator. However, I will defend to the death his right to believe whatever he wants as long as it doesn't stomp on anyone else's rights. It is too bad he cannot defend his position without the help of radical groups like the ACLU, but I can even live with their frivilous lawsuits that tie up the court system indefinately and cost taxpayers millions of dollars a year. What I can't live with is the unimportant issues in the totality of human kind the ACLU and people like Merlyn try to change. I can think of many examples where the ACLU could be fighting for the good of mankind, but choose not to because those issues don't receive the press coverage and don't fit into their political agenda. Dialouge is a good thing when you are talking to someone who may attempt to see your point of view...but when that courtesy isn't present, why continue to humor people like Merlyn. I will continue to read Merlyn's posts because I might actually learn something by it, but this will be my last response to him. If he is not answered, he has nothing to talk about. God Bless you all and God Bless the BSA!

Merlyn you are correct. This whole topic started as a decision as to whether or not to make a donation to the BSA, but it didn't end there. Many more items of discussion were brought to light. Notably, your desperate attempt to get others to follow your athiest ways. All of this discussion and banter back and forth would have been avoided if you would have just quietly done what you were going to do no matter what responses came from this discussion. That is....don't make the donation!! It is my personal opinion that you have the right to believe (or not believe) whatever you want. You even have the right to profess to anyone who will listen. What you don't have the right to do is bash something you obvioulsy don't understand. My tax dollars pay for many, many, many, government programs that I don't support, but those programs are not detrimental to my personal health and well being or that of my family. Just as I can't imagine that a scout meeting in a public school, or a camp out at a public lake really is something you lose sleep over. Bottom line, do what you feel is right for you...like don't make the donation...and let those who have different beliefs exist as you are allowed to exist. I'm sure you will find many points to argue, but just as I won't change your mind, you won't change mine. The only difference is I didn't have to hire an attorney to support my cause until I was forced to do so by someone who, just because they are in the minority, but have the same access as the majority, feels slighted and can't stand on his own.

I have read this article with great interest and I am somewhat perplexed and amazed that anyone can argue that BSA should not be allowed in a "public" school without first attacking the government itself. I must admit up front that I am not as well schooled in the issues of seperation of church and state as I should be, but it only makes sense that if the government or government funded programs are to be totally seperate from any organized religion, then "In God We Trust" should be eliminated from our currency. In my personal opinion, groups like the ACLU will only tackle others they feel they have a chance of beating. I guess the entire US government is too big a task. But let's get back to scouting. I went to a public school through the 12th grade. I began in Cub Scouts when I was first elgible and continued with scouting until age 17. I can't tell you who the CO was for the pack or troop, but I can tell you that we met every week in a public school. Of course, that was back when one could still say the Pledge of Alligance" and a meal time prayer and not be in court defending the right to do so the next week. I spent two years working on staff at a BSA summer camp and did a trek to Philmont. To explain to someone who doesn't believe in God that Boy Scouts kept me out of trouble and on the right path most of the time, BECAUSE of all of the points of the Scout Law, would be impossible, and quite frankly, a waste of my time. But, after having stood atop Baldy and taken in that magnificant view, there is no doubt there is a God and He has a special place for scout's, scouters, and all the volunteers that make BSA possible. Now, I'm quite sure this arguement will go on and on. I'm upset that my rights are being violated by telling me that because I believe in God and I too pay taxes, that my money can't be used to support something so wonderful. It is a sad day when it is OK for the ACLU to support an attack on BSA, but you don't hear a word when an ACLU supporter makes racial remarks towards the Secretary of State? I guess I will just go on as a Cubmaster and Unit Commissioner (different districts of course) and continue to "preach" the good in scouting, and let the time wasters sort out the rest.