One Scouts ban remains intact: Atheists

[SecularMotion]

The decision by the Boy Scouts of America to accept openly gay Scouts has raised the question: Are atheists and other nonbelievers — the only remaining group BSA still bans — next?

No one is holding their breath, least of all Neil Polzin, an Eagle Scout who was fired from his job in 2009 as an aquatics director at a Boy Scout camp in San Diego after he admitted to being an atheist.

“I don’t see that happening, at least not in the immediate future,” Polzin said. “The focus has always been on the Scouts’ discrimination against gays and it seems atheists were always on a back burner or not discussed at all.”

But that doesn’t mean nonbelievers — atheists, humanists and other nontheists — have abandoned their quest for inclusion. In the wake of the BSA’s May 23 vote that led to the inclusion of gay Scouts — but not gay scoutmasters — every major organization of nonbelievers has issued a statement condemning their continued exclusion.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/one-scouts-ban-remains-intact-atheists/2013/05/30/dcb8ec9a-c967-11e2-9cd9-3b9a22a4000a_story.html

[el_bryanto]

1. That is pretty shameful and should be changed.

While I suppose many troops are sponsored by local churches, there's no reason to exclude non-believers as a general policy. It's uncharitable.

Bryant

[Demo_Chris]

2. Theism is a dangerous mental illness...

I, for one, hope we can eradicate this disease.

[Puzzledtraveller]

5. zeik heil!

[cynatnite]

11. Seriously?

[Ms. Toad]

9. I certainly hope you are addressing your comment to

Theism - as in - the philosophy that everyone must believe in God.

If, on the other hand, you are addressing it to all theists (including people who believe in God but have no desire to impose their beliefs on you), I hope you will delete your post.

[backscatter712]

12. Religion: Together, we can find the cure! n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

3. It's one hell of a discrimination

I think from inside the organization needs to change - it will take brave people though . . .

If all paid employees are required to uphold the oath:

Scout Oath (or Promise)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.


And the 'law':
Scout LawA Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean, and reverent


Then that's gotta be what they are really getting these folks on.

They have to decide if they want to be a RELIGIOUS organization or a secular all inclusive organization. But to change the Scout's Oath to remove the word God - as well as the intent behind it - that needs to come from within the organization.

I don't think those of us external to it have any capability to make them change their oath.

Good, bad, or indifferent - I don't believe the religious should shove their religion down the throats of non-believers. On the flip - atheists can't make believers 'unbelieve'. Live and let live and all of that jazz.

There are two pressure points that could bring the change to the oath . . .

1. Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc. etc. that want to teach their children tolerance could simply yank their sons out of - or not put them in the Boy Scouts in the first place. I.E. Remove that so ALL are included. Until then - my kid isn't joining/participating.

2. Freeze them out of any facility paid for by the tax payers. We wouldn't allow religious service meetings in a public school right? If Boy Scouts are faith based then they should be allowed to have meetings in public schools after hours, recruit in public schools, etc. etc.

[earthside]

4. It's a religious organization, right?

At least it is in my estimation.

Why would an atheist want to join?

I'm a 'non-theist' ... I have no desire to join religious organizations.

[One_Life_To_Give]

7. Not really, it's mostly secular

I think the reverence was originally in response to "godless communists" and fighting the "red menace." Other than a couple of merit badges there isn't anything overtly religious other than claiming reverence. Back when I was a unit leader. I wouldn't let something like that interfere with a kid joining and being a part of the group. There are plenty of Dinosaurs in all levels of the BSA. But you will also find there are many with selective hearing. If it's a worthwhile program, kick the dust a bit and see what individual units in your area are like.

[earthside]

8. Seems to have always had a religious component.

At least that is what is recorded under the 'Religion in Scouting' article from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Scouting

If the BSA wants to change and become completely secular that's fine with me. And I think it is okay to agitate for that change.

[LostOne4Ever]

6. We should keep drawing attention to this

Till they drop their discriminatory policies in full.

[byeya]

10. Since almost 20% of adults have no church affiliation, this is a much larger show of bigotry

than the discrimination against gays.
Let the BSA continue to serve the Mormans and Methodists and cut the organization off from funding like the United Way.

[Arugula Latte]

13. Ten years ago, we wouldn't let our son join this twisted, rightwing sicko organization.

There are alternatives.

[markpkessinger]

14. It's a good point, but lest anybody think they have addressed the gay issue . . .

. . . Remember that the ban on openly gay adult leaders or volunteers remains thoroughly intact. So, to a gay adolescent Scout, the message they are sending is, in effect, "Sure, you can join us (because we know it isn't your fault you are intrinsically disordered); but we cannot ever trust the adult you will one day grow into to be an appropriate role model for future Scouts." Hey, now there's a great message to send to a kid trying to come to terms with who he is as a sexual being -- NOT! The environment created by this largely cosmetic policy change will be every bit as toxic, and possibly more so, than it has been for gay Scouts (kind of like the way "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" looked like an improvement on paper, but in practice actually made things worse for LGBT service members).