Boy Scout news

[WriterDom]

Dobson Defends the Boy Scouts; Pro-Family Leader Speaks Up for the Boy Scouts in National Broadcast


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by Focus on the Family:

Today, in his national daily broadcast, Focus on the Family President Dr. James C. Dobson updated listeners on the attacks on the Boy Scouts because of their policy on homosexuals. Dobson, heard by 7.5 million listeners each week, asked citizens to contact their congressional representatives and express their concern.

"The gay and lesbian movement is so powerful today that they can take down almost anyone who gets in their way," said Dobson. "There is no better example of that power and influence than this effort to force the Scouts to its knees."

Dobson spoke of recent efforts to punish the Boy Scouts for their position on homosexuality, "This movement is coming at the Scouts from many different directions. Dozens of local United Way offices have now stopped funding the Scouts and many corporations have done the same. Schools and municipalities across the nation have severed ties with the Scouts, putting additional pressure on them.

"Even some churches are removing support," said Dobson. "Last fall the Washington Park United Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado, ended a 60-year association with the Boy Scouts because it wouldn't lift its ban on homosexuals and gays. Just last week, PBS TV aired a terrible program on all of its affiliate stations that attacked the Scouts -- partly paid for with our tax dollars!

"My greatest concern is that the Scout leadership appears to be cracking under the pressure," said Dobson. "Nine Scout council presidents representing large cities here in the United States have urged the national Scout leaders to cave in and admit homosexuals, saying it was necessary to combat what they call stereotypical images of homosexuals."

Dr. Dobson also expressed his appreciation for President Bush's position on the Boy Scouts. "The president does support the Boy Scouts and plans to go to a Boy Scout Jamboree in August. He will be the first president in a number of years who has gone to a Jamboree."

Dobson referenced the Helms amendment to the federal education bill, which would deny federal funds to any school that discriminates against the Scouts by not allowing them equal access to school facilities. He urged listeners to contact their congressional representatives and express their support for the Boy Scouts.

 

[Tabby432]

Their money or beliefs?

I wonder which one will mean more to the Boy Scouts.

 

[Laurel]

"The gay and lesbian movement is so powerful today that they can take down almost anyone who gets in their way," said Dobson. "There is no better example of that power and influence than this effort to force the Scouts to its knees."

It has less to do with any "gay & lesbian movement" (wtf that means) and more to do with the fact that the majority of mainstream Americans believe sexual preference is a personal and private matter, and to discriminate based on that is inappropriate.

I think the Scouts should boycott all practitioners of BDSM, as it is morally perverse. Doesn't matter if they practice it only in the privacy of their own homes. I don't want those filthy perverts around my kids. Sound fair, WD?

(don't flame, folks - I was being facetious)

"Last fall the Washington Park United Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado, ended a 60-year association with the Boy Scouts because it wouldn't lift its ban on homosexuals and gays. Just last week, PBS TV aired a terrible program on all of its affiliate stations that attacked the Scouts -- partly paid for with our tax dollars!

So let me get this straight...the Scouts, which are partly funded by our tax dollars, are well within their right to discriminate against anyone they choose, but PBS - with our tax dollars - isn't allowed to call them on it?

That's hypocritical.

 

[WriterDom]

Re: Re: Boy Scout news

I think the Scouts should boycott all practitioners of BDSM, as it is morally perverse. Doesn't matter if they practice it only in the privacy of their own homes. I don't want those filthy perverts around my kids. Sound fair, WD?

(

We'll have to check with Todd first. I think bdsm has biblical roots.

 

[Texan]

Re: Re: Boy Scout news

So let me get this straight...the Scouts, which are partly funded by our tax dollars, are well within their right to discriminate against anyone they choose, but PBS - with our tax dollars - isn't allowed to call them on it?

That's hypocritical.

hello Laurel, I am not flaming, but I wanted to correct something, unless you know something I don't. The Boy Scouts do not receive any assistance from our tax money. I could not understand how they could have stood up to the legal challenges if they were receiving ANY federal, state or municipal support. They claim to be a "private" organization. The link below gives a breakdown of how the Boy Scouts are funded.

http://www.scouting.org/nav/about.html

 

[Laurel]

Hey Texan, How's it going? I like your signature line, btw...

Actually the Boy Scouts do enjoy support - monetary and other - from the Federal Government that other private organizations do not.

For example:

- The nominal "Commander in Chief" of BSA is the President of the United States.

- It receives direct federal funding through the Combined Federal Campaign. (Federal employees can get paid leave to fund-raise for CFC groups.)

- Its primary recruiters traditionally have been public school teachers.

- It traditionally receives free rental from public schools. Half of all Scout units have been directly sponsored by public schools and school boards.

- BSA uses local, state and federal buildings, parks and property free of charge or with major fee breaks, such as the rental for the token fee of $1.00 of Ft. Camp Hill, Virginia, for the Boy Scout annual Jamboree.

- Boy Scouts has been recognized and advertised on U.S. postage stamps.

- Another major sponsor is the PTA, a group set up to enhance the experiences of all students in the public schools.

- Additionally, a significant percentage of BSA's overall funding is from United Way, whose own "Eligibility Criteria for Organizational Membership" (adopted by National Congress, November 30, 1972) reads: "Faithfully adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to age, sex, race, religion, and national origin in connection with the makeup of its governing body, committees, and staff and the persons whom it directly and indirectly serves." United Way of America advertises that "every group receiving funds ... maintains a policy of nondiscrimination."

from
http://www.ffrf.org/issues/bsa.html

Since this was written, many United Way chapters have, in keeping in line with their policies of non-discrimination, have stopped funding local BSA chapters.

Like PC said, it's a shame that the BSA has to make this an issue. The kids are the losers in the long run.

 

[Texan]

Hey Texan, How's it going? I like your signature line, btw...


Like PC said, it's a shame that the BSA has to make this an issue. The kids are the losers in the long run.

I agree it's a shame.... and I agree the boys are the loosers in the long run...... I think the same is on the gays for making it an issue.

 

[teresafannin]

Not to be rude, but as a Scout leader, I don't know of a single troop or Cub pack that is sponsored by schools or PTAs any longer. Due to insurance issues, including cost & liability, most scout groups are chartered by churches these days. I did some research here in the North Texas area which includes 2 of the largest Scout councils in the US & not one Scout troop or Cub Scou t Pack is sponsored by school or PTA. School teachers have not been active recruiters in the 10 years I have been involved with the program, both in Dallas & FOrt Worth. The main source of recruiting is the boys who invite their friends & the parents who provide most of the funding. In the DFW metroplex & surrounding areas, Scout groups pay the schools for after hours use of the building, the same as any other organization. The United Way has cut the funding drastically for Scouting, but I don't support the UW in any form due to the chronic mismanagement of UW groups across the US. Much of the funds raised by the UW goes to the UW for payroll, further fundraising, it is an amazingly inefficient organization, although that is a whole different issue. I know I probably won't get an answer, but am I the only one who is actually a part of the scouting program? Although I am on a leave of absence because it is still very painful for me to see the boys & young men my son knew, I hope to begin teaching archery again at some point. I would love the names of the councils that receive these government funds, but no one ever seems to be able to give them to me.