I was a Boy Scout for about six months. I obviously didn't enjoy the experience. I perceived the structure as too militaristic and authoritarian for my youthful peacenik tastes.
But I thoroughly enjoyed my many years as a Cub Scout. Being a Cub Scout was about having fun and learning things. Thinking about the Pinewood Derby brings back so many fond memories.
I have several good friends who are affiliated with the Boy Scouts - primarily as parents of Scouts. Some of them even hold leadership positions. I commend them for their willingness to volunteer their time to help their kids and other kids. And I'm in awe of the achievements of Eagle Scouts and others associated with the BSA.
So my own experience has been mixed with the Boy Scouts of America. But I bear no ill will to many of the people involved with the BSA. I thought I should reveal that background before proceeding with my argument: It's time for the President of the United States to stop serving as Honorary Chairman of the Boy Scouts of America.
The BSA has formally adopted policies stating that discrimination on the basis of religion and sexual orientation are part of the organization's "core values":
Duty to God
● Youth and Adult Volunteers
Boy Scouts of America believes that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. Accordingly, youth members and adult volunteer leaders of Boy Scouts of America obligate themselves to do their duty to God and be reverent as embodied in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Leaders also must subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Principle. Because of its views concerning the duty to God, Boy Scouts of America believes that an atheist or agnostic is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law for adolescent boys. Because of Scouting’s methods and beliefs, Scouting does not accept atheists and agnostics as members or adult volunteer leaders.
● Employment
With respect to positions limited to professional Scouters or, because of their close relationship to the mission of Scouting, positions limited to registered members of the Boy Scouts of America, acceptance of the Declaration of Religious Principle, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law is required. Accordingly, in the exercise of their constitutional right to bring the values of Scouting to youth members, the Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals, or others as professional Scouters or in other capacities in which such employment would tend to interfere with the mission of reinforcing the values of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law in young people.
Morally Straight
● Volunteer Adult Leadership
Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. Scouting’s position with respect to homosexual conduct accords with the moral positions of many millions of Americans and with religious denominations to which a majority of Americans belong. Because of these views, Boy Scouts of America believes that a known or avowed homosexual is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law for adolescent boys.
● Employment
With respect to positions limited to professional Scouters or, because of their close relationship to the mission of Scouting, positions limited to registered members of the Boy Scouts of America, acceptance of the Declaration of Religious Principle, the Scout Oath, and the Scout Law is required. Accordingly, in the exercise of its constitutional right to bring the values of Scouting to youth members, Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals, or others as professional Scouters or in other capacities in which such employment would tend to interfere with its mission of reinforcing the values of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law in young people.
● Youth Leadership
Boy Scouts of America believes that homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the obligations in the Scout Oath and Scout Law to be morally straight and clean in thought, word, and deed. The conduct of youth members must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law, and membership in Boy Scouts of America is contingent upon the willingness to accept Scouting’s values and beliefs. Most boys join Scouting when they are 10 or 11 years old. As they continue in the program, all Scouts are expected to take leadership positions. In the unlikely event that an older boy were to hold himself out as homosexual, he would not be able to continue in a youth leadership position.
The BSA successfully defended its right to engage in these forms of discrimination before the United States Supreme Court. But that doesn't mean that the BSA deserves support or special treatment from anyone in the private or public sectors.
Indeed, many local affiliates of the United Way and some local governments have stopped providing support or special treatment to the BSA because of the organization's official policies of discrimination.
Yet, the President of the United States continues to serve as the BSA's Honorary Chairman (a tradition that began with President Taft).
Please go to http://change.gov and ask President-Elect Obama to decline to serve as the BSA's Honorary Chairman. At least one cabinet nominee will be providing the same suggestion.
I know that the President's association with the BSA has mostly symbolic relevance (although some of the tangible impacts have been recently discussed here). But I think the symbolism is powerful. And the issue is simple - shall the President of the United States continue to provide symbolic support to an organization that regards religious and gender-orientation as core values?
Thank you.