Tuoc Syag

And to reiterate the real topic I was debating: I know the BSA does not accept me as it is, and I accept that, and I didn't mean to argue whether or not that was a fair policy. That is the horse that has been beaten to death. But in its own words, "no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God," and "an atheist or agnostic is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law for adolescent boys." My question relied entirely on the basis of the above statements, and whether that was a valid assertion, with the addition of the homosexuality

Beavah, I think you have an excellent point. In fact, I already have a plan to get engaged to a heterosexual woman on my 25th birthday. You know, once the whole young, rebellious stage of my life is officially over. I picked out a church for our wedding, too, since I'll believe in God some time around then. "If atheist, why stay in BSA? (why go to Sunday School?, etc.)" I wouldn't go to Sunday School because that's a program designed specifically around practicing religion. Scouting is largely based on practicing religions, but not homogeneously. In some troops, like my own, there i

OGE, if you're still concerned I'm a troll who disappeared, once again, I am not. I have been following this very closely. However, most of the questions specifically directed to me have been resolved, and I haven't had anything I need to throw into the ring. While I am posting something, I suppose I will toss in my two cents about discrimination. I didn't mean discrimination in the negative connotation. I meant it in the "basketball coaches discriminate against bad basketball players" sort of way. It is fully legal discrimination, albeit subjectively justifiable discrimination.

OGE, I think you've hit the nail on the head. "No amount of logic about how good a role model you are changes that." That brings me to another one of my motives for this whole thing. As much as I wish otherwise, I understand the fact that the BSA is a private organization and can discriminate as it wants, and it even was willing to lose public funding to uphold that right. But a lot of opinions I had read in the past as for the reasons that the BSA has its no gay policy had nothing to do with concerns over sleeping arrangements and the like, but instead that it is impossible to be a role model

Lisa, I'd just like to reach an understanding of what we mean. I can take your idea that I am pushing my beliefs on everyone in two ways. I am not trying to convince anyone that atheism is the right thing to believe. Every person has his own belief of what's right. However, I would like people to understand that religious adherence is an example of one group's interpretation of "right" that is pushed on others by sheer force of will. And in a sense, that in itself pushes a belief, but one of inclusion and not rigidity.

@packsaddle: Perhaps this is something that cannot be resolved, nor does anybody need to waste time on arguing anything. My motivation for starting this thread was to resolve a curiosity of mine, admittedly a selfish cause. I know very well that many scouters have voiced their heated opinions on this type of subject many times already, but many times, they speak on gays and atheists in general, and I had always wondered how predisposed a judgment of character is just based on someone's beliefs or sexual orientation. I wanted to see how people's opinions change after thinking initially that the

I swear I am not cricket624. I don't know why everyone dismisses this so quickly as a troll. I wanted to pose this question to a group I thought would have some interesting input. This is the only thread I have posted in, and it is the only thread I plan on posting in. And Beavah, you've got me. I didn't do my research, but I can tell you I know of at least 6 or 7 atheists in my troop, most of them Eagles, as well as 5 other gay scouts, 4 of them Eagles, so while my estimate has no backing, know that I am not too rare of a case. The BSA is entitled to its own policy, but just know that th

As the OP, I truly am not a troll. For the purposes of this heated topic I have chosen to remain anonymous, but the facts I presented in front of you are accurate, and they are similar for hundreds of scouts. I will admit that I have lied in that I am not reverent to any god, but I am reverent in the respectful sense. When a cub scout becomes a boy scout at the age of ~10-11, he knows little of himself in many ways. So when he's a Life Scout and realizes that his faith in science outweighs his faith in religion, how do you expect him to leave behind his best friends and great community s

I suppose I should clarify what I mean about being openly gay. My district/council definitely does not know I am gay. Probably half of the older scouts in my troop knew, accepted it, and treated me no differently. In response to ClemLaw, I try not to bring up my sexuality unprovoked, any more than anyone may imply their heterosexuality, but I am open in that when it comes up in conversation, I don't fear outing myself. As far as I know, none of my troops' leaders know, but all of my friends and most of my family knows that I'm gay and treats me no differently.

After I introduce myself I have two questions that I would like answered by the forum. I am an 18 year old Eagle Scout with 3 palms. I spent more than 2 years as a Patrol Leader, a year as SPL, and a year as a JASM. I am currently registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster, and accompanied a contingent troop to the 2010 Scout Jamboree as an adult leader. I've been a crew leader at Philmont, I've been the leader of our high adventure patrol, and I've been to two Jamborees and a NOAC. I've always respected my superior leaders, I've always thought with morals in mind. I graduated at the top of m