Has The Boy Scouts Lost Its Way?

Boy Scout World Jamboree leadership requires condoms ‘readily and easily accessible’ for event

May 22, 2018 8:54 am

Leadership of the Boy Scouts has mandated that condoms be "readily and easily accessible" for next year's 24th World Scout Jamboree. (Getty Images)

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Leadership of the Boy Scouts has mandated that condoms be “readily and easily accessible” for next year’s 24th World Scout Jamboree, which is scheduled to be held in the mountains of West Virginia from July 21 to Aug. 1, 2019.

What are the details?

According to an announcement on the event’s page, “For the first time, a world jamboree will be hosted by three national Scout organizations: Scouts Canada, Asociación de Scouts de México, and the Boy Scouts of America.”

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“These three distinct cultures will join together to host the world Scouting community in a celebration of cultural exchange, mutual understanding, peace, and friendship,” the statement adds.

The theme for the 2019 Jamboree is called “Unlock a New World,” a concept that was conceived by the Scouts’ youth bid team, “known as the Dream Team,” according to the announcement.

“This theme speaks to the new adventures, cultures, and friendships that will be shared by Scouts from around the world during the event,” the statement adds.

And about the condoms?

According to its 2016 handbook, the World Scout Committee is mandating that condoms be made readily available.

A subsection on page 10 of the publication reads, “The Host [Organization] must ensure that condoms are readily and easily accessible for all participants and [International Service Team] at a number of locations on the site.”

The directive adds, “When making this information available onsite, consideration shall be given to the various cultures and beliefs present.”

According to Charisma News, “It appears the Jamboree guidelines were drafted after the 2015 World Jamboree in Japan in preparation for the 2019 event and were just recently released in an email.”

What are others saying about this?

John Stemberger, Florida Family Policy Council president and chairman of the board for the Christian scouting organization Trail Life USA, told Charisma News:

In light of the mandatory condom policy, it is not clear how far down the rabbit hole the Boy Scouts will continue to fall. With the addition of condoms and alcohol, the World Jamboree is starting to sound more like a 1960s Woodstock festival rather than a campout that parents would want to send their children to! All of this should be deeply disturbing to the churches that are chartering Boy Scout Troops. These policies present a clear youth protection problem that the BSA absolutely refuses to recognize. The fact that they are requiring that condoms be “readily accessible” and are communicating this to everyone—including youth participants—shows that the BSA is both anticipating and facilitating sexual conduct between minors at this event. These policies are both outrageous and completely irresponsible.

Anything else?

The Scouts have found themselves under increasing fire from some over the years, after permitting openly gay scout leaders to lead packs to allowing girls to join the organization, prompting a name change from “Boy Scouts of America” to simply “Scouts BSA.”

Most recently, the Mormon church severed ties with the Scouts after over a century of affiliation.

The Boy Scout Decline Starts--It Is Not Small

‘IT’S NOT A HATE THING’: BOY SCOUTS FACE MONUMENTAL LOSS AFTER CHOICE TO ALLOW OPENLY-GAY MEMBERS

Jun. 3, 2013 7:57am Billy Hallowell

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Credit: AP

The Boy Scouts of America’s decision to allow openly-gay young men to participate in the organization is already spawning some major membership problems.

While those in support of the new-found policy are frustrated that gay leaders are still not permitted to take part, others who oppose the amendment believe that the group is abandoning its Christian heritage. Among the denominations that may cut off support for the Scouts is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

Church leaders, according to CNN, are planning to urge the religious order’s 45,000 congregations and 16 million members to officially cut ties with the Boy Scouts. Considering that 4,000 units are currently sponsored by the SBC, this would be a monumental loss for the organization — one that would impact 100,000 young men who participate through this denomination.

This month, the SBC plans to vote on a non-binding resolution at a convention in Houston. The effort will take place on June 11 or 12. And the provision, according to insiders, has a good chance of passing.

“There’s a 100% chance that there will be a resolution about disaffiliation at the convention and a 100% chance that 99% of people will vote for it,” Richard Land, head of the Southern Baptists’ Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, told CNN. “Southern Baptists are going to be leaving the Boy Scouts en masse.”

The SBC has emphasized that even if a resolution is voted upon, that it is up to local affiliates to make decisions about scouting. That said, if Land is correct, the mere non-binding proclamation would have a major impact on the SBC and the Boy Scouts — and it would surely change the relationship between the two parties.

Pastor Tim Reed of First Baptist Church is among those who believe the Scouts should have never changed their rules.

“God’s word explicitly says homosexuality is a choice, a sin,” Reed, who decided to cut his church’s ties with the Scouts, told a CNN affiliate. “It’s not a hate thing here. It’s a moral stance we must take as a Southern Baptist church.”

Watch him discuss the matter, below:

Last week, TheBlaze explored the impact of the Boy Scouts’ decision to allow openly-gay youths. While many view it as a inclusive step, others, like the SBC, fear that it runs counter to the values and morals embedded in the Christian faith. It is likely that many groups will flock to alternative organizations or start their own organiations similar to the Scouts — but with a more faith-based message.

(H/T: CNN)

Scout Decision Could End The Organization

IS THE BOY SCOUTS’ GAY AMENDMENT THE ‘BEGINNING OF THE END’ FOR THE GROUP? (PLUS: TELL US WHERE YOU STAND)

May. 24, 2013 2:10pm Billy Hallowell

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Is this the beginning of the end for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA)?

While dramatic, the question is one that is currently being asked in the wake of the organization’s decision to allow openly-gay children to be members. In the end, the reality is that the policy will likely have both positive and negative effects on the traditional group — an organization that, quite interestingly, plans to simultaneously uphold its decision not to allow gay scout leaders.

News of Thursday’s vote was welcomed by gay rights advocates and derided by many Christian groups who stand firmly against homosexuality. Among the voices of opposition was Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes same-sex marriage.

In a statement, he decried the lift on the gay ban, calling Thursday “a sad day for the Boy Scouts of America.”

Jennifer Tyrrell (L) of Bridgeport, Ohio, speaks at a news conference as Pascal Tessier, 16, of Kensington, Maryland, wipes his eyes at a news conference held at the Great Wolf Lodge May 23, 2013 in Grapevine, Texas. Credit: Getty Images

Rather than making a decision based upon values, Brown accused the organization of buckling under political pressure and steering away from its traditional and historic roots. And he warned that this action will lead the BSA down a path in which courts will order the allowance of gay scout leaders.

“Unfortunately, what they have done is said to the world that their oath no longer means much,” he said of the BSA. “Their decision to admit openly gay scouts will end up sexualizing the organization.”

Ultimately, Brown warned that the group could collapse as a result of churches pulling their support. He called the move “the beginning of the end” for the BSA.

And he wasn’t alone, as others mirrored this sentiment. David Cortman, a lawyer with Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian group, also decried the decision to admit children of any sexual orientation, The Christian Post reports.

“Sadly, the Boy Scouts Executive National Council’s decision disregards not only the nearly 19,000 Americans who signed a petition urging BSA to ‘uphold the values that have defined the organization for over 100 years,’ but also the millions of Americans who have supported the program,” Cortman said.

“With its decision today, BSA has rejected its freedom to promote and practice the values that have served to shape our nation’s boys into leaders for the last century,” he added.

John Stemberger, an Eagle Scout and Orlando, Fla. based attorney speaks out during a news conference against the Boy Scouts of American decision allowing openly gay scouts to participate in scouting Thursday, May 23, 2013, in Grapevine, Texas. Local leaders of the Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to ease a divisive ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted into the nation’s leading youth organization one of the most dramatic moves the organization has made in a century. Credit: AP

These views come in stark contrast to those who support the BSA’s evolution on the issue. Groups like GLAAD are praising the move, but maintain that they would also like to see the gay scout leader ban be lifted. Some gay rights leaders and organizations are still accusing the organization of sending a mixed message in the affirmation that gay children can participate, while gay adults cannot. The battle over the latter restriction will likely continue.

While some conservative and religious groups are giving some harsh assessments, others who oppose gay marriage seem to be taking a more measured tone. In the wake of the decision, theNational Catholic Committee on Scouting said it is going to explore how the change will impact its associated scouting groups. And the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also released a statement about the decision.

“The Church appreciates BSA’s reaffirmation of its commitment to ‘duty to God,’ which includes service to others and moral behavior — central principles of our teaching to young men,” the release read. “As in the past, the Church will work with BSA to harmonize what Scouting has to offer with the varying needs of our young men.”

“We trust that BSA will implement and administer the approved policy in an appropriate and effective manner,” the group added, offering a more measured response to the decision.

Credit: AP

As TheBlaze previously reported, local Scout leaders voting at the group’s annual meeting in Texas supported the change by more than 60 percent; the new policy will go into effect on January 1, 2014. The restriction on openly-gay members was in effect for 103 years before being amended this week.

Now, definitively answering how this will impact the organization’s future isn’t possible at this point, as only time will tell. But if conservative groups make good on their threats to abandon the group, it’s likely that membership will take a hit.

Then again, individuals who previously felt excluded may warm up to the BSA (but that could depend on how the scout leader issue is handled). In sum: The BSA’s future is uncertain.

What do you think? 

Romney Wrong On Boy Scouts

Here at Conservative Musings, we call them like we see them. When we agree with someone on their stand, we say so and the opposite also applies.  Such is the case of Romney saying that the Boy Scouts should allow homosexual Scouts and Leaders.  We strongly disagree with this stand and if he were here we would say it to his face.

This organization takes young boys age 10 to 18 and takes them into adulthood. During that time they learn life skills and are allowed to explore all sorts of career fields through the merit badge system. It teaches them follower as well as leadership skills. It is a well rounded program based on sound principles.

We can see no greater danger to young impressionable boys than a gay Scoutmaster using his power and authority to force these young people into uncompromising positions. This is not to say that all gays would sodomize their Scouts as most probably would not. However, if only 1% would, that would be too high a cost to pay. What parent would allow their young child to go on a camp out with a gay leader? The risk would be too great.

Romney is wrong on this issue. The Boy Scouts are a 100 year plus old organization with few if any negatives.  Many of our leaders (Presidents, Astronauts, politicians and business leaders) have been Eagle Scouts (including two sons of ours) and millions have participated in their programming.  We say, leave them alone and let them continue to train leaders of our country. The Boy Scouts does not need to be in the job of social engineering.

Conservative Tom

Romney Says Boy Scouts Should Admit Homosexuals

By Patrick Burke

August 9, 2012

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Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Western Wall in Jerusalem on July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

(CNSNews.com) – Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney this week reiterated his view that the Boy Scouts of America should admit homosexuals as Scouts and Scout leaders. He also supports the right of the Scouts to decide their own policies.

Currently, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) does not admit homosexuals as Scouts or Scout leaders.

Romney first expressed his view that the Boy Scouts should admit homosexuals in 1994. When Romney was running for the U.S. Senate that year  against Democrat Sen. Ted Kennedy, he said “all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Tovia Smith of WBUR radio in Boston asked Romney during an October 1994 debate, “Mr. Romney, you say you’re a moderate on social issues, one who will defend abortion rights, equal rights for women, for blacks and for gays -- in fact, you say you will do more to promote gay rights than Senator Kennedy.”

Smith continued, “You also sit on the national Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America, which has an exclusionary policy banning gay members. Do you support that policy and, if not, have you ever done anything as a board member to oppose it?”

Romney said, “I believe that the Boy Scouts of America does a wonderful service for this country. I support the right of the Boy Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue. I feel that all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Romney campaign spokesperson Andrea Saul confirmed to the Associated Press on Aug. 5 that Romney maintains the position he took back in 1994.

Boy Scouts. (AP Photo)

When asked for direct confirmation that Gov. Romney maintains the same position he held in 1994, the Romney campaign referred CNSNews.com to several past quotations regarding Romney’s opposition to the ban, including that of the 1994 debate.

Zach Wahls, an Eagle Scout and founder of Scouts for Equality, hailed Romney’s stance as “the right thing to do,” as well as the fact that President Obama apparently shares the same view on this issue.

“I think more generally, if you look at the fact that both President Obama and his opponent in the presidential election are on the record together in this incredibly polarized political climate, I think it really speaks to both the moral validity and also the critical importance of ending this policy,” Wahls told CNSNews.com.

“There aren't a whole lot of areas in the American political sphere where you see this kind of overlap, and I think it really does speak volumes about how important this is,” he said.

As reported by CNSNews.com, the Boy Scouts of America came under scrutiny after a petition was released by ousted Cub Scout den leader and lesbian Jennifer Tyrell on Change.org, urging the Scouts to change the policy on openly gay members.

Although the petition has been signed by 320,000 people across the country, including Hollywood celebrities, the Scouts have not changed the policy.

“Contrary to media reports, the Boy Scouts of America has no plans to change its membership policy. The introduction of a resolution does not indicate the organization is ‘reviewing’ a policy or signal a change in direction,” according to an official statement from the Boy Scouts of America national office on June 7.

“The BSA is a voluntary, private organization that sets policies that are best for the organization,” reads the statement.  “The BSA welcomes all who share its beliefs but does not criticize or condemn those who wish to follow a different path.”

Upon becoming a Boy Scout, each member takes the following oath:

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

In June of 2000, the Boy Scouts of America went to the Supreme Court to preserve their right not to admit homosexuals after the New Jersey Supreme Court had ruled that the Scouts policy was in violation of New Jersey’s anti-discrimination law.

(AP Image)

The Boy Scouts in that state had been sued by a former Eagle Scout who came out as a homosexual after becoming a Scoutmaster, and was consequently removed from that post.

One question before the court was whether homosexual behavior comported with a Scout's pledge to be “morally straight."

However, the Court ruled in the Scouts’ favor and, in the majority opinion, the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist rejected the argument that homosexual behavior could constitute “morally straight” behavior, by citing the Boy Scouts’ statements to the contrary.

“And the terms ‘morally straight’ and ‘clean’ are by no means self-defining. Different people would attribute to those terms very different meanings. For example, some people may believe that engaging in homosexual conduct is not at odds with being ‘morally straight’ and ‘clean,’” Rehnquist wrote.

“And others may believe that engaging in homosexual conduct is contrary to being ‘morally straight’ and ‘clean.’ The Boy Scouts says it falls within the latter category,” wrote Rehnquist.

The current BSA policy on sexual orientation reads as follows:

“While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to members who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.