Boy Scouts begin their decay | Eastern North Carolina Now

        Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    On checking the Boy Scouts of America Media Center for Press Releases at 9:10 pm Thursday the 23rd day of May their most recent release is about "Gone Fishing". With the caving in and putting their tail between their legs on the Gay issue, this may be no surprise for the current leadership.

    Wikipedia gives the following outline of the Boy Scouts of America:

    The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), one of the largest private youth organizations in the United States, has policies which prohibit atheists, agnostics and adult homosexuals from membership in its Scouting program. Prior to 2013, openly-gay youth were also banned from membership. BSA has denied or revoked membership status or leadership positions for violation of these foundational principles.

    The BSA contends that these policies are essential in its mission to instill in young people the values of the Scout Oath and Law.[1] [2]

    The organization's legal right to have these policies has been upheld repeatedly by both state and federal courts. In Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, the Supreme Court of the United States has affirmed that as a private organization, the BSA can set its own membership standards. The BSA's policies have been legally challenged but have not been found to constitute illegal discrimination; as a private organization in the United States the BSA has the right to freedom of association,[3] as determined in the court case.[4] In recent years, the policy disputes have led to litigation over the terms under which the BSA can access governmental resources including public lands.

    The policies of the BSA are more restrictive than other Scouting organizations throughout the world and other youth organizations within the United States. The policies have led to various disputes and controversies. In 2012, both President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stated that they oppose the ban on gay Scouts.[5] [6]

    On May 23, 2013, the BSA adopted a resolution allowing gay youth to be members of the organization.

    If you check the BSA Website in "How Scouting is Funded" http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/Funding.aspx

    You see Contributions from the United Way listed there but not direct funding from the Federal Government. So the Pressure was not from funding. However there were threats to bar them from using Federal lands if they did not allow Gays to join. We assume it will be alright for Gays to use these lands to promote their agenda but not the Boy Scouts.

    There have been concessions in the past for the Scouts to receive some Government Surplus for camping ETC. There was a threat to take this concession away.

    On July 17, 2012 the Official Web site for BSA stated:

    BSA Policy:

    The BSA policy is: "While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA."

    Scouting believes same-sex attraction should be introduced and discussed outside of its program with parents, caregivers, or spiritual advisers, at the appropriate time and in the right setting. The vast majority of parents we serve value this right and do not sign their children up for Scouting for it to introduce or discuss, in any way, these topics.

    The BSA is a voluntary, private organization that sets policies that are best for the organization. The BSA welcomes all who share its beliefs but does not criticize or condemn those who wish to follow a different path.

    Now they have capitulated to go along to get along. (But with whom?)

    Every president of the United States has supported the work of the Boy Scouts of America since its founding in 1910, and each served as honorary president of the BSA during his term in office.

    Barack H. Obama, 2009 -

    President Barack Obama praised Scouting for its first 100 years of service during a video address to attendees at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.

    "...For a century, Scouts just like you have served your communities and your nation in ways both large and small. During World War II, Scouts played a vital role in supporting the war effort at home by running messages and selling war bonds....Today, Scouts across the country

    continue in the tradition of collecting food for those in need, improving our neighborhoods, and reaching out to those less fortunate....

    Congratulations on your first hundred years. I'm sure the next hundred will be even better."

    There is a good possibility that The Boy Scouts of America will not survive another hundred years and the beginning decay started today.

    The goal and thrust of Scouting has been to set up role models like Members of Congress, Military leaders, astronauts, athletes, successful business men and civic leaders among other people who contribute to the strengthening of our Country.

    While Scouting has made implementations for handicapped and challenged boys it has not made exceptions for immorality.

    Let's take a quick look at a real scenario that may happen in real life.

    A young 12 year old Scout goes on a first camping trip with the Troop. An older boy (say 14) is assigned to be a mentor or guide in his first trip. The Guide turns out to be Gay sleeping in a two man tent with this young boy. If advances are made by this Guide that the Troop already knows is openly Gay how many years will this young man live with that incident. This is only one possibility of many.

    Where are the people that have "Boots on the ground in Scouting?

    Where is the backbone of the National Council?