Boy Scouts of America upholds ban on gays

[Guest American Woman]

I see no problem with the Scouts having gay leaders or gay scouts. Be believe we have both in Canada. I do support the Scouts being able to exclude whomever they want tho, since they are a private organization.

I'm just wondering if it were the Catholic Church excluding gays from the priesthood - would they get support? Would people see that as a good thing?

I'm not in support of excluding gays, but I do feel private organizations should be able to be what they want to be - ie: I don't see not letting girls in the boy scouts or girls in the boy scouts as discriminatory - and I don't think they should have to combine into a gender neutral all inclusive scouts. I'm not sure how I feel about the "gay scout" troop that was formed in Toronto, either. What if one is bisexual? Which troop do they belong in?

I do think the "boy scouts" should be open to all boys and the "girl scouts" should be open to all girls and any gender neutral scouts should be open to all.

Kids very often join the scouts before they are aware of sexual preference. Should they suddenly be disgraced, in spite of their past experience within the scouts, if they discover that they are gay? I don't see how that can be presented as justified.

[Shady]

I'm just wondering if it were the Catholic Church excluding gays from the priesthood - would they get support? Would people see that as a good thing?

Gay priests are already excluded from the Catholic Church. It's just, many men that enter the preisthood, aren't honest about their sexuality, so you end up getting a lot of gay priests in the church anyways.

[kimmy]

The BSA, and any other private club, should be free to accept or reject members for whatever reasons they wish.

But if they are going to discriminate, then the government should not be involved with them in any capacity, including through public schools. The BSA, as I understand it, have voluntarily walked away from involvement with the government so that they could maintain their policies. That's fine, that's how it ought to be.

-k

[bleeding heart]

I'd explain the difference, but I know it'd be like trying to explain quantum physics to an infant baboon.

That is completely unfair to the baboons. They do not act out of cultural prejudices and wilful foolishness, at least to our knowledge.

[bleeding heart]

Everyone keeps saying (correctly, in my view) that a private organization should be allowed to discrimate however they see fit.

However, that doesn't mean that no one should mock them or point out their bigotries and simpleton's logic.

That does not restrict their rights. They have no rights to be adored and admired for their laughable prejudices.

Edited July 21, 2012 by bleeding heart

[bush_cheney2004]

....However, that doesn't mean that no one should mock them or point out their bigotries and simpleton's logic.

Agreed...I routinely make such observations about Canada's CRTC!