Be Prepared, Not to Lead
How the Boy Scout’s New Ruling Discourages The Most Important Part for It’s Youth
For a while, the Boy Scouts of America have been under pressure to make a decision on their stance with allowing or denying homosexual Scouts and Leaders in their organization. Previously a ban was in effect until recently when a decision was made. “Be a Leader, just not for us.” That’s really what the Boy Scouts of America are now telling youth across the country from the recent lift on allowing homosexual Scouts but continuing to exclude Leaders under the same rule. Not verbally, of course, but by example. In the formal opening statement issued on May 23, 2013, we were told:
For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, with a focus on working together to deliver the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.
Just a minute, let’s revisit that last part. “..of character development and values-based leadership training.” Leadership? Oh, apparently you mean that thing which no Scout who is openly homosexual will ever be able to demonstrate the day of their 18th birthday, right? Carry on.
..The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program…
Well sure, now that we have a firm grasp on the obvious, let’s think about this for a minute. Do we really think every Scout schedules themselves into meetings, events, competitions, and ceremonies? Do we buy for a minute that Scouts can afford and coordinate keeping up with the uniforms, gear, patches, and awards? And do we for even a second, dare to imagine Scouts running meetings by themselves, organizing hikes, banquets, or the path to Eagle for each other? Of course we don’t, because it’s the Adult leaders who care enough to dedicate their time and love for the youth program in order for it to succeed. Let’s keep this going.
..A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration; thus, the policy for adults remains in place.
..and why not? Scouts didn’t vote on this policy, seemingly heterosexual men and women did. On to my favorite part.
While people have different opinions about this policy, we can all agree that kids are better off when they are in Scouting.
I agree with this. The only problem with this statement is one of human evolution and life we have no control over. Being every seventeen year old boy, will in fact be an eighteen year old boy one day, and no longer welcomed to be part of Scouting if they are homosexual. That is the hard truth of this statement, which I can’t get past. The heterosexual adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America feel while we shouldn’t judge our youth, nor discourage them from taking part in their organization with heterosexual leaders, and teaching them to be the best leaders they can be, they can’t continue that leadership the day they turn eighteen.
To those leaders, this Eagle Scout does not salute you. Instead I challenge you to think about the true message you are teaching the youth of your organization.
At the age of 32, I still remember the Twelve Points of the Scout Law, and continue to try my best to live by them daily. In my humble opinion, you should have released an addition with a thirteenth, “a Scout is confused.” After all, you’re leading by example.
