Apparently the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to begin allowing openly-gay young men to participate in the organization is already beginning to create some, what can only be described as, major membership problems. And I can't say I'm all that I'm the least bit surprised. Because I gotta tell you, if I had a son, I would not be allowing him participate in this organization any longer. And while those in support of the new-found policy remain 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. And among the denominations that may decide to cut off support for the Scouts is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
Church leaders, at least according to CNN, are planning to urge the religious order’s 45,000 congregations and 16 million members to officially begin the process of cutting all ties with the Boy Scouts. And considering that 4,000 units are currently sponsored by the SBC, this would be a very substantial loss for the organization and 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 many insiders, has a very good chance of passing. So the price to be paid by the Boy Scout for no other reason than trying to be politically correct, could be a steep one.
The SBC has emphasized that even if a resolution is voted upon, that it will still remain up to local affiliates to make decisions about how they will, or will not, support scouting. That said, if the assumptions are 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."
The bottom line here is that this was such an idiotic decision in the first place, and the repercussions from it should come as a surprise to no one who took part in the making of it . It's foolish to be placing young boys at risk so needlessly. And I wish I could believe that this was only about allowing gays to be scouts, but there is something much more sinister at work here, and I'm disappointed that the scouts don't see that. And while many may view it as an inclusive step, many 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 organizations similar to the Scouts, but with a more faith-based message.
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