I think they have the right to refuse whomever they want, since they're a private organization that does not rely on public funds, but I also think it's a shame that so many in our society are still so bigoted. If they banned someone over race, very few people would buy their cookies, much less put their kids in scouts. I think it's time to take the same view of bigotry toward homosexuals.

That are a private "Club", and they don't specifically "Rely on public funds",,, but they get a lot of government support in other ways. For example, if I want to rent the Township Hall to hold a meeting, I'm paying $50 an hour plus a janitor fee. But BSA Troop 2xx meets there every week for free. Little stuff like that.

I think that if they want to discriminate and practice intolerance they can do that - much like each of us is free to pull our own teeth out with pliers - but we certainly should not be providing any public support. If a parochial school can make sure their health insurance dollars don't pay for some atheist lunch lady's BC pills, I sure as hell oughta be able to make sure that my county taxes don't go to support this.

Nope. No. They should get no public help at all, any more than the Klan should get public freebies. I'm not saying Boy Scouts=Klan, but bigotry is bigotry and should not be tolerated in our society. To some extent people must be free to have their own views on these things, and to associate with like minded individuals, this is part of our liberty, but they certainly don't deserve any handouts while doing so.

I don't know how I feel about this... on one hand, yes, they are a private organization... but on another, they are a group that has been heavily identified as a community and teaching about service within a community... Certianly, one could create a new group that functions similar to BSA but allows gays/lesbians/transgenders or girls/boys.... If people don't like what they stand for, then don't join them and they will eventually become so irrelavent that they will cease to exist... or at least not to the capacity....

In general, I do like the BSA/GSA... I may not care for their stances on social issues... But the core of what they are about is what I support... I wish we could get away from all this and get back to teaching kids how to be of service to thier communities again... regardless of who they are or where they come from.

I understand your position, and it's certainly a valid one for those who support the organization.

To me, however, when you rely on prejudice and ignorance to discriminate against other members of society, then you are no longer a "service" organization, regardless of how many old ladies you help across the street. You now exist primarily to promote an ideological agenda.

Of course the irony of all this is that many now believe that Baden-Powell himself was both gay and a pedophile. Guess he didn't want the competition.

It's really sad that an organization such as the BSOA that does so much good for young men is so intolerant.

Well, I believe that private organizations should be able to make their own rules, so from that aspect, I have to agree. I don't at all think that it is a good idea, nor do I think it is a good idea for their organization as a whole. My boys weren't going to be in the scouts either way, and this affirms some of the many reasons why.

I love the USA. Freedom is a double edge sword. It grants something to someone, while at the same time legally denying someone something else. I like hearing that people are standing up for their beliefs. Regardless of what they are. If the organization is doing something you don't like, don't support it. I was a boy scout until I was 15 and thought I was too cool for it. Second Class was my rank. I learned lots of good skills and ethics. If my boys want to be scouts, they have my support. If you don't like the organization, don't join it.

I agree. They are a private organization and have the right to make their rules/guidelines. If you disagree, don't join and don't support. If enough people stood strong for their beliefs the BSA would soon be no more. I think the bigger problem is people run off at the mouth about how terrible the BSA are then join and or buy their products. If they don't get the support they can't continue.

I love the USA. Freedom is a double edge sword. It grants something to someone, while at the same time legally denying someone something else. I like hearing that people are standing up for their beliefs. Regardless of what they are. If the organization is doing something you don't like, don't support it. I was a boy scout until I was 15 and thought I was too cool for it. Second Class was my rank. I learned lots of good skills and ethics. If my boys want to be scouts, they have my support. If you don't like the organization, don't join it.

I agree. They are a private organization and have the right to make their rules/guidelines. If you disagree, don't join and don't support. If enough people stood strong for their beliefs the BSA would soon be no more. I think the bigger problem is people run off at the mouth about how terrible the BSA are then join and or buy their products. If they don't get the support they can't continue.

Oh I think there are plenty of wealthy people with an agenda who would swoop in and save them if only to prop them up as martyrs. Let's not over estimate the power the average joe compared to someone with effectively unlimited means.

I'm not worried about that. That used to be true about racist organizations, too. What I'm worried about is advancing society's intolerance for discrimination a step further than it has already advanced, and it's happening. Shamefully slowly, but it's happening. Less and less people are willing to tolerate discrimination against gays, just as few now will tolerate it against ethnicities, races, and religions.

It is a private organization so they get to make the choice, but it doesn't mean its the right choice, because it's not. I wish someone would start a boy scout program that did allow gays, that's what happened with girl scouts-they didn't exist and girls weren't allowed into boy scouts until someone created a seperate group. I would not put my son into boy scouts until the ban has been eradicated, I would not support a group that discriminates like that, it sickens me.

It's funny that you mention that. Well, what about little boys who awnt to join girl scouts? I remember reading a story about a little Denver boy who wanted to join the girl scouts. They should just make a "Gay Scout" (litterally) and get it over with. People complain and complain. But if someone, with unlimited sources, and for the cause (like all these rich celeberties) would support or start something like this, the world will be a happier place for some. I say, those who agree with it should put their money where their mouth is, or it's all talk.

My boys have been involved with Scouts for 9 and 6 years. The anti gay part is on the part of the organization top leadership but individual troops vary as much as 1 Catholic church can vary from another and can vary from the top ranks, more-so actually. My oldest had a pack leader in cub scouts who was an atheist. My youngest had a pack leader who was more agnostic but had no real use for organized religion. Their troop now is sponsored by an Episcopal church - you know, the ones who just decided to allow gays to marry in their church. Aside from being sponsored by them though there is no religious aspect to anything they do. They focus on skills and camping and activity and helping the community.

When we first moved here I looked into several different local troops. One was very religiously oriented to the point that they expected the entire troop to go to the church that sponsored them every week. When I said that we don't do church I was looked at like I had 2 heads. Needless to say we didn't join that troop. When we went to the current troop I asked about church involvement. They said that the church across the street helps sponsor them and they do some projects t help them in exchange. I asked "So will it be a problem if we don't go to church and aren't religious?" The scoutmaster just laughed and replied "I see you checked out Troop ____ before coming here! :laugh: No, we are about helping the boys become men, teaching them to help others, teaching them skills they just won't learn in school, and letting them have fun while doing it. No one cares if you are Christian or Muslim or Buddhist or atheist here."

My boys have been involved with Scouts for 9 and 6 years. The anti gay part is on the part of the organization top leadership but individual troops vary as much as 1 Catholic church can vary from another and can vary from the top ranks, more-so actually. My oldest had a pack leader in cub scouts who was an atheist. My youngest had a pack leader who was more agnostic but had no real use for organized religion. Their troop now is sponsored by an Episcopal church - you know, the ones who just decided to allow gays to marry in their church. Aside from being sponsored by them though there is no religious aspect to anything they do. They focus on skills and camping and activity and helping the community.

When we first moved here I looked into several different local troops. One was very religiously oriented to the point that they expected the entire troop to go to the church that sponsored them every week. When I said that we don't do church I was looked at like I had 2 heads. Needless to say we didn't join that troop. When we went to the current troop I asked about church involvement. They said that the church across the street helps sponsor them and they do some projects t help them in exchange. I asked "So will it be a problem if we don't go to church and aren't religious?" The scoutmaster just laughed and replied "I see you checked out Troop ____ before coming here! :laugh: No, we are about helping the boys become men, teaching them to help others, teaching them skills they just won't learn in school, and letting them have fun while doing it. No one cares if you are Christian or Muslim or Buddhist or atheist here."

And the most liberal, accepting, open-minded troop could come knocking at my door trying to sell popcorn and I wouldn't purchase anything from them thanks to the organization's stance. If they don't like that, they can join another organization or stop coming around my door. I don't require their assistance with anything. Their good deeds don't shield them from the organization's failings.

That's fine. I have absolutely no problem with that whatsoever. I only buy from my kids' troop and only because I know their personal views. I don't expect that anyone else would know that or that even if they did they would care.

My only real point was that just because the heads of the organization act a certain way that doesn't mean that the individuals or smaller units necessarily agree. I don't believe that every individual Catholic church thinks it's acceptable to cover up the priest scandals. I don't believe that every fraternity on Penn State thinks covering up those scandals is acceptable. And I don't believe that every individual troop agrees with the BSA stance against gays. I was lucky enough to find one such troop. I wish the BSA as a whole would come into the 21st century but until they do at least some individual troops are already there.