tortdog

>On the other hand, if I'm a member of a religion that doesn't use the 10 Commandments and I'm being tried in a court room that prominently displays them, I might wonder if I'm being tried based on the concepts of a religion, rather than on the rule of law. They've probably got a point. I don't think that's a substantive reason for the ACLU argument. A person could wonder all he wants, but unless the government is doing the alleged conduct than that "wonder" is merely a theoretical argument. If the judge pulls out the Bible and pronounces judgment based on Exodus 12:1, then we ha

First, Dug, I simply cannot comprehend why one would view judging as wrong. I see a God who requires us to judge our fellowman. You bring to the fore the issue of homosexuality. My own belief is that homosexuality in itself is not a sin. The sin is when a person acts on such homosexual feelings. If it is wrong to judge someone for acting on his homosexual feelings, then why would the God of Abraham and Moses command that judges be set apart for the purpose of passing judgment on those who broke God's law? Why would that same God command that those judges pass judgment to execute th

I enjoyed your post, Eagledad - thought provoking and insightful. Dug. I hope I'm not putting you on the defensive by asking that question. I'm asking/answering all this more as theory, rather than any form of an attack on a belief. I just wanted to make that clear. >i understand that he is either Perfect or we have free will. Sure, I hear you on this, but I simply disagree. >Moreover, i can ask the question why would someone want to worship a god that discriminates? I have no problem worshiping a god that discriminates. I would have a problem with a god who exe

>If you believe in predestination, or in a deterministic universe, you believe that one's choices are totally determined by inherent attributes present from your birth (and before). I completely disagree with any form of predestination. I think that our environment shapes who we are (partially), along with some inherent characteristics. >Personally, I can't make this idea consistent with any definition of "free will" that makes sense. Agreed. Where you and I part ways is the ability of a divine being to see present, past and future as though it were all present.

>But while BSA and the strip club down the street both have the right to decide who gets in the door etc., they don't have the right to get preferential treatment from government. I disagree. When is the last time you saw a BSA troop zoned out of a location in the neighborhood? We, as society, make rules all the time giving certain groups preferential treatment based on what those groups are doing. Strip clubs get to set up shop next to the city dump. Boy Scout troops can set up shop next to the school (or the city dump if it really wants it).

All these rules sound pretty complicated. I've done training for Venturing and Varsity, and we've never trained the organizations on setting up bylaws. >The Troop Committee, Scoutmaster, King, Queen, President, Pope or the ACLU can't change the rules. Well, the ACLU might be able to...

I see why you do not believe it logical but solely within the constraint of a chronological ordering of time. But that is where you and I disagree. I believe that all things are PRESENT before God: past, present and future. As an example, a man in a canyon river does not know what is around the bend - the future. A man on the cliff overlooking the canyon can look down and see that man's future in one view. The ability of the man on the cliff to see the future of the man in the canyon does not rob him of his freedom. It merely is a different viewpoint. God's mercy is that he allows e

>The most authoritative sources are the written BSA publications and the national BSA website Well, the national BSA web site directs you to ask your local council if you have questions (which is what I did). Unfortunately, SHAC did not answer the question as some would have wanted it to. Meanwhile, the BSA published Guidebook says you don't need Scout socks or a Scout belt for a Varsity activity uniform. So obviously the Guidebook isn't complete. (Shew...even the Bible is not complete so I can cut the BSA some slack for having left something out, or is someone arguing that the BS

Just between you and me, has anyone besides me claimed you were a uniform Cop? (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

I said that the Guidebooks lays out that Varsity Scout leaders should always wear the uniform (whether field or activity). I based this on the statement in the Guidebook that Varsity Scout leaders "should set a good example by wearing the complete uniform themselves". We also have an exception for activities where the uniform is not a plausible feature. Here is how I interpret the rules. We wear the uniform as much as we can. If the interpretation is such that the Varsity team would rarely wear the uniform, then the interpretation is off. Your interpretation of the rules would make it r

What bylaws?

What about a merit badge for counter internet attacks or data forensics?

Dug. Why would you worship an imperfect being - a being that shares your flaws?

I don't comprehend the logic of either of you two. Just because a teacher knows Sam will fail the calculus exam does not make the exam meaningless. Sam still has to get the grade and go through the test. Once Sam takes the test (and fails), he knows the judgment is fair. If Sam never takes the test, he has to rely solely on the judgment of the teacher. That's not just (though it may be right). Sam must prove himself through his own acts. The teacher's knowledge of Sam's abilities does not rob Sam of his abilities (or lack thereof).

I think the Constitution was written solely to prevent Congress from passing legislation institution an official religion on the People, similar to the Church of England. That would also include legislation that prevented the people from worshipping as they please (within societal boundaries).

I said "Under the Guidelines, the activity uniform consists of two things: (i) Team T-shirt and (ii) Scout shorts/pants. The Guidelines do not require Scout socks or a Scout belt." You quoted me by leaving out my reference to the activity uniform. The portion of the Guidelines that requires Scout socks and a Scout belt is only the field uniform, i.e., NOT the activity uniform described above. >The uniform goes from shoulder to shoes. Incorrect. The uniform includes an optional hat. The uniform does NOT include shoes. >How often you get to wear it is irrelevant.

I do not see the conflict of perfect knowledge versus free choice because we still need to prove to ourselves that we are worthy of the final reward. I view this life as a test. Though God knows how I will do on the test (much as a high school teacher knows how a student will do on an exam), I still have to take the test and get my grade. That way, I've done the test myself and I know that the grade I receive is fair. Though God could have told us before He sent us to Earth that we would fail and not receive the greatest reward, I do not believe we would have been satisfied (picturing a b

It's in the penumbra somewhere. The founders were going to write it down and actually vote on it, but they didn't have the time in 1787.

>The BSA does not say be in a uniform all the time. It says we should wear field uniform to team meetings, and for almost every team meeting I have been in that would be absurd. >If you are playing soccer do not read the Varsity leader handbook to learn how to dress, read a soccer handbook. I disagree (as does SHAC). You should be in uniform just as much as a high school varsity team is in uniform. We enforce the Varsity team uniform on our boys at all Varsity activities, with an activity uniform consisting of a Varsity team shirt, and matching athletic shorts with white s

I'd be against an LDS district. I like the mix of the entire community.

>I would personally prefer that we not be selecting judges who have preconceived notions about particular legal issues. To take a "hot" example, abortion is currently legal. I'd rather not have a judge being appointed who is a known abortion foe who says that he/she would use his position to support that view, because I think it's unlikely that an abortion case coming before that judge would get a fair hearing. I'd rather just have a judge who will interpret current law, and turn it back to Congress to make legislative changes, where necessary. Why would you want a jurist on the Suprem

We will have to agree to disagree that knowledge of the future robs man of his choice.

Okay...here we go from pages 149 and 150 of the Varsity Scout Guidebook. *A Varsity Scout is not required to have a uniform in order to be a member of a team. Okay...we know this. So a scout doesn't HAVE to wear a uniform to be a member. *Varsity Scout team leaders should set a good example by wearing the complete uniform themselves and by encouraging each Scout to acquire and weare a uniform. Okay. So all team leaders SHOULD wear a uniform as that sets a good example. *Varsity Scouts and Varsity Scout Leaders proudly wear the full uniform for all ceremonial activities

I will quote the passage once I get the handbook in front of me and the computer at the same time. What should we do with this renegade SHAC that tells its Varsity leaders that uniform can include a custom T-shirt, athletic shorts and white socks? Should the BSA allow a program in which the main activities of that program cannot be conducted in the BSA uniform? I mean, under the current rules in the Varsity handbook, the boys will spend most of their time out of uniform.

Regarding the 11-year old LDSers, they still do outdoors. The limit is that they camp only 3 times that first year. Once they hit 12, they are supposed to camp once each month. The LDS Church just thinks that 11-year olds are not yet ready for camping each month, and wants the 11-year olds closer to home. It's a policy decision...not religious doctrine decision BTW, because frankly I don't see a problem with my 11-year old camping. Now, what do the LDS units do to work within this rule? In our own unit, we drive our boys up to Boy Scout camp each day before breakfast and take them ba