New Bsa President - Robert Gates Would Allow Gay Leaders

[RegularMormon]

News Article: New President Robert Gates: I would have allowed gay men in Boy Scouts

 

Considering this article and the latest decision to allow gay youth in scouting but ban adult leaders; I would be interested in everyone's insight, thoughts or concern should there ever be a decision in the future to allow adult gay leaders with the BSA and if this would be the "breaking point" so to speak for the LDS church to "pull out"?   I've been involved in scouting since youth and would greatly sadden me but at the same time I've always worried there would be a day when something like this would come and my concern on how members (even myself) would respond.  I know this is all hypothetical but through the years I've always came across at least a handful of members who have no interest or even oppose scouting in the church for various reasons. TBH when the new "Duty to God" program rolled out with the young men I thought to myself this might be a replacement; but that's the suspicious side of me thinking lol.  Thoughts?

[thesometimesaint]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/05/27/new-boy-scout-leader-robert-gates-wont-push-to-end-ban-on-gay-adult-membership/

[BCSpace]

I would be interested in everyone's insight, thoughts or concern should there ever be a decision in the future to allow adult gay leaders with the BSA and if this would be the "breaking point" so to speak for the LDS church to "pull out"?

 

It has been communicated in various leadership meetings I attended around the time the Scouts officially allowed homosexual boys that the moment the Scouts allow gay leaders is the same moment it is no longer a program of the Church and that the Church was prepared to create their own program (hopefully better than merely Duty To God).  There's always the possibility of a new calculus.

[frank_jessop]

RegularMormon, what are your feelings about celibate "gays" in the Church? Are the feelings the same as they are towards gays in Boy Scouts?

[RegularMormon]

RegularMormon, what are your feelings about celibate "gays" in the Church? Are the feelings the same as they are towards gays in Boy Scouts?

 

My post was more of a concern about the possibilities the church leaving the BSA organization and if there was any insight or shared thoughts/concern out there as well.   I have no issues with celibate gay members in the church but that might be a topic for another post.

[rockpond]

I knew some in my area who insisted that the church would have to pull out of the BSA if they allowed any openly gay members.  That didn't happen.  Likewise, the BSA will eventually allow openly gay leaders and the church will likely continue to support and be involved with the BSA.

 

We (the Church) as a matter of policy already allow openly gay YM & Scout leaders as long as they obey the law of chastity.  And we allowed openly gay scouts to be registered in our troops long before the BSA allowed it.  I watched my own ward register openly gay young men years ago.

 

And here's the thing... gay scouts grow up to be men who will want to serve in leadership positions within the organization that they love.  Gay scouts will also show that they don't harm the organization or its mission.  More and more financial support will be denied the BSA as the financing institutions become less desirous to be associated with a discriminatory organization.  Ultimately the BSA will need to decide if they want so slip into irrelevancy or continue to pursue their goals.

 

If anything gets the church to end its involvement with the BSA, I think it is more likely to be increased apathy that both young men and adult men in the church may have toward the Scouting program.  I hear more and more people within my circle questioning the time, money, and resources we put into the program given the returns.

[Rock_N_Roll]

I would like to see the church completely drop the Scouting program and create their own program that includes both the YM and YW.  They could have separate activities for the YM and YW, but the same goals, advancements and awards.  In other words a YW could receive the equivalent of an Eagle the same as a YM, but she could earn different (and some of the same) "badges" along the way. 

 

And this is coming from an Eagle Scout that has spent 8 years as a YM leader and raised 3 sons. It's time to say goodbye to the BSA. 

[rockpond]

I would like to see the church completely drop the Scouting program and create their own program that includes both the YM and YW.  They could have separate activities for the YM and YW, but the same goals, advancements and awards.  In other words a YW could receive the equivalent of an Eagle the same as a YM, but she could earn different (and some of the same) "badges" along the way. 

 

And this is coming from an Eagle Scout that has spent 8 years as a YM leader and raised 3 sons. It's time to say goodbye to the BSA. 

 

I'm with you... a program for both the YM & YW would be great.  I am actually surprised that some of the vocal Mormon Feminist groups our there have not made a bigger issue of the inequality between resources poured into the YM vs. the YW.

[Rock_N_Roll]

  I am actually surprised that some of the vocal Mormon Feminist groups our there have not made a bigger issue of the inequality between resources poured into the YM vs. the YW.

Well, since I was released from my calling in the YM, I've been the Financial Clerk.  I know that, at least in our ward, the budget for the YM and YW is almost identical. The only difference is the "Scouting Awards" category.  Those Scout awards and badges are expensive. 

[rockpond]

Well, since I was released from my calling in the YM, I've been the Financial Clerk.  I know that, at least in our ward, the budget for the YM and YW is almost identical. The only difference is the "Scouting Awards" category.  Those Scout awards and badges are expensive. 

 

Our YM & YW budgets are pretty close as well.  But then we add in the scout awards budget you mentioned.  And then there's the cub scout budget which is 6 times larger than the activity days budget which serves about the same number of kids.

 

And there is the difference between YW Camp (less than $100 per girl) and scout/priesthood camps ($250-$300 per boy).  And, then there are those registration fees that we automatically pay for every boy from 8-18.

 

And, of course, the push for Friends of Scouting donations.

 

When it's all over, we've spent way more on the boys & YM.