Friday, May 24, 2013

A Monumental Decision for the Boy Scouts

Today the local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America have decided by 61% majority vote to include openly gay scouts into their program. This has been a hot topic in our nation and for good reason. It is another example of a fundamental change in an American institution which has for decades been representative of our nation's core values.

Consider the assocation's motto and marks: http://usscouts.org/advance/boyscout/bsoathlaw.asp:

Boy Scout Oath or Promise

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.






Note that the Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been considered to have three promises. Those three promises are delineated by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:
  • Duty to God and country,
  • Duty to other people, and
  • Duty to self
DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God.
Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country's good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points.
DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you're needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world.
DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.






Boy Scout Law

A Scout is:
  • Trustworthy,
  • Loyal,
  • Helpful,
  • Friendly,
  • Courteous,
  • Kind,
  • Obedient,
  • Cheerful,
  • Thrifty,
  • Brave,
  • Clean,
  • and Reverent.






Boy Scout Motto

Be Prepared!






Boy Scout Slogan

Do a Good Turn Daily!






The Outdoor Code

As an American, I will do my best to -
  • Be clean in my outdoor manners
  • Be careful with fire
  • Be considerate in the outdoors, and
  • Be conservation minded.
I will not comment on all that you just read, except to say - what is the standard for morality? If it is popular opinion, then the decision made today is just fine. If it is the Word of God, then there is a problem, chiefly that the Bible condemns homosexuality, period.

But there is a strange twist in all of this that makes the truth completely plain. While the ban for gay boy scouts has been lifted, the ban on gay adults being involved in scouts remains. (But be assured that will also be gone, too, after the lawsuits begin).

Here is the scenario: An openly gay, participating boy scout at age 17 will no longer be allowed to participate in the program when he turns 18. As one gay boy scout has already commented, "Will I turn into a bad person when I have my 18th birthday?" So what is the message? The message is that we know that this is wrong but we have decided to compromise! If it is wrong for an 18 year-old then is it not wrong for a child? The Boy Scouts of America have actually made a statement unwittingly that brings the truth to light (as if it weren't already shining brightly). Homosexuality is a sin. It is a choice. And just like the decision made today by the organization, it is the wrong choice.

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Cor. 6:9-11

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