Re: A Scout is Reverent- what that means
James A. Sheckels (sheckej@EARTHLINK.NET)
Thu, 8 Jan 1998 16:27:08 -0500
-----Original Message-----SNIPPED---
From: Kevin McClelland <kevin999@EROLS.COM>
Date: Thursday, January 08, 1998 11:33 AM
My responses to Kevin's message are intended to be general, not directed to
Kevin personally.
>I woke up this morning and I decided to say something a little
>controversial. The Boy Scouts of America should not be turning away
>atheists.
Sure they should. An atheist, by belief, does not believe in the tenets of
memebrship of the BSA. An atheist detsroys those and that which does not
conform to the atheist view.
>Here's a quote from the Random House Dictionary:
>Reverent- feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by a feeling or attitude
>of deep respect.
>
>Here's a question for you, where in that definition does it mention god?
>I see deep respect, but not deep respect TOWARD GOD.
>From the Boy Scout Handbook (#33229, 7th print, 10th edition), page 8:
A Scout is Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his
religous duties. He respects the belief of others."
This is the Boy Scouts of America, not Webster's Scouts This is an ill
attempt to justify and rationalize by quoting out of context.
>If I tell you I deeply respect my parents, I am being honest. If I tell
you I deeply
>respect my mentors in Scouting, I am being honest. If I tell you I don't
>deeply respect a God, I am being honest, but if I fulfill the items
>above, am I not still being reverent?
Yes, you are being reverent, but you probably are not complying with the
twelth point of the Law.
>Now I am not saying I am or am not an Atheist because I have not made a
>definite decision but I am a reverent person, without affiliating myself
>with a church or any religious practice. Should I too be kicked out of
>Scouting?
You have not decided if you are an atheist, or that you are not an atheist?
Being an aitheist is not the point. The point is that being a memebr of any
organization means you provide loyalty to the organization, complying with
the tenets of membership in that organization.
You are not forced to be a member of the organization.
Membership is a PRIVILEGE not a right. There is a difference.
If you do not want to comply with the rules of membership, you have the
option of going elsewhere.
Do not destroy what you don't agree with and claim it is your "right".
>That's my opinion anyway.
And you're welcome to it. That's my opinion.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
