Scouting
Dear Editor,
I am an Eagle Scout. On numerous occasions in my youth I swore to live by the Scout Oath and Law. Today I would like to reaffirm my commitment to these. 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. I strive to be Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient,Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
The Boy Scouts of America has taken the position that “homosexual conduct is inconsistent with the values we wish to instill.” Agreeing with those values and openly promoting them, would I be a welcome member of Gay and Lesbian Council? More to the point, why would I wish to be a member of a group that does not hold values with which I agree? Asking the BSA to reverse it’s beleif that homosexual conduct is inappropriate is like asking the Gay and Lesbian Council to reverse its belief that such conduct IS appropriate.
I expect that neither would be a good solution. Each group should respect the other’s right to hold different values, and not force those values onto the other.