Re: Do We Have the Right to Judge

Dear Peter;

Thank you for a cogent posting on these concerns about "judgmental". The
value, if I may name it such, that you are talking about when you question
whether one's private life can be separated from one's public life, is
"integrity". I question the integrity of any person whose behavior in one
life mode is essentially different than his or her behavior in another life
mode. If my conduct in Scouts is substantially different than my conduct on
the job, or my conduct in the family, then I am not, in my admittedly not so
humble opinion, not a person of integrity. I am definitely not a Scouter.
"My" Scouts see the same person in and out of uniform; on the job; in the
troop; at home.

I have a deep fear that we are arguing toward "value free" scouting, toward
a libertarian approach to policy. That will destroy Scouting. If we say,
"We have no right to judge..." then we have at the same time, no right to
set boundaries because any boundary we can set, by definition, indicates
"insiders", as those within the boundaries, and "outsiders" as those outside
the boundaries and is therefore essentially a judgment. I think the attempt
at value free education and what that has done to our school environment and
ability to educate a child exemplifies the problem that I believe Scouting
would encounter if we don't start saying, "this we can accept, that we
cannot."

It would be like having a basketball team where there were no requirements
to show up at practice because it interfered with my personal time, no
requirement to wear a uniform because that violates my personal dress code,
no requirement to play because that violates my anti-competition ethic and
you, coach are being judgmental because you say I can't be on the team if I
don't want to actually play ball.

While I don't particularly agree with "separate but equal" kinds of
programs, perhaps it is time for those who do not support the legitimate
values of scouting to move on and find other ways to gain the experiences
that they are seeking. I don't think it's a case of a vacuum, a lack of
other opportunities for adventure, skill building, camping, etc.

Quite frankly, if we allow libertarian thinking to decay the Scouting
values, what will happen is merely that Scouting as a character building
experience will die and those who think they are gaining something by
breaking down some of these values will not only be where they are now,
without a good program, but will have taken that away from those who do
believe in what Scouting is.

Now, that is not to say, "my country, love it or leave it." There will
always be legitimate challenges as our understanding of the adolescent boy's
needs deepen, as our society changes and as our sense of true justice
expands. I welcome the discussions that seek to sort that out. I don't
have much to say on most of the particular issues because I am not well
informed or experienced enough in most of the ones at hand.

One more thing, Peter -- you observe that as Americans we learned that we
cannot judge anyone on almost anything. You are referring to "political
correctness". I orbit around the fringe of intellectual circles at times
because they amuse me, but it is true what many pundits suggest: political
correctness simply prohibits true free intellectual discussion.

I again applaud your post.

George Hamilton
gham@telplus.net

Your contributions to your child should go above and beyond
that chromosome you unselfishly sacrificed.


>In America, we have been told for years that we have no right to judge
>the private lives of others. To do so risks being labeled "judgmental",
>a "bigot", and "intolerant". To avoid these labels we must not disapprove
>or voice any objection to anyone's lifestyle or private actions. In the
>name of tolerance we must accept everything and anything. Even if
>we strongly disapprove of the matter.

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