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Boy Scout Membership Policy & Values: Biblically Incompatible and Logically Inconsistent



The biggest problem with the Boy Scout membership policy change is that by striking the ban on homosexual youth, the BSA is tacitly approving the sin of homosexuality, even if they argue they are not approving "homosexual conduct."  They have endorsed "sexual orientation and preference" as a matter of human choice and not God's decrees.  They have further argued that any "sexual orientation and preference" is fully compatible with doing one's "duty to God," being "morally straight," and being "reverent" to God.  This is biblically incompatible and logically inconsistent.

When someone embraces their homosexual inclinations as an identity, i.e. "I am gay," "I am homosexual," "I am transgender/transsexual," something very serious is happening.
1) You are claiming, "This is who I am, this is not a choice, and I am ok with it"
2) You are communicating that "God made me this way, so you should be ok with it"
3) You are ignoring who God says you are, and who God calls you to be.

If you argue it is permissible "to be gay, homosexual, etc." as long you don't "act on it," you are demonstrating that you don't:
1) Understand that embracing and mentally accepting sin is just as serious as acting on sin
2) Comprehend the serious offense it is to God when you follow and accept Satan's plans instead of God's
3) Care about what God says about the matter, you care more about your feelings and opinions

Take any other sin...stealing, lying, lust, adultery, gossip, sleeping around, gluttony, murder, rape...would you go around and identify yourself by that sin?  Would you identify others by their sin?  When the Bible addresses people by their sin, it also addresses them as "ungodly," "unholy," and "profane."  (1 Timothy 1:9-10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). When the Bible calls someone by their sin, God is identifying them by their lostness, not by His Son.

See for yourself what God has to say about homosexuality...
Romans 1:24-32 Genesis 19 , Leviticus 18:22 , 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 , Galatians 5:19-21 , Ephesians 5:3-3 , 1 Timothy 1:9,10 , Jude 7

The best news available though, to the homosexually-inclined and all of humanity (we have all sinned), is that God's grace is sufficient to forgive us and cleanse us, should we choose to repent and turn away from our sins!

1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

“Homosexual behavior is incompatible with the principles enshrined in the Scout oath and Scout law."
Frank Page, SBC President

Here are some Scouting Documents that reveal (highlighted to more clearly show) the biblical and logical incompatibility and inconsistency.

Scouting Documents
The following membership standard for youth members of the Boy Scouts of America is hereby adopted and approved, effective Jan. 1, 2014:

Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs. Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the Boy Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.
http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/MembershipStandards/Resolution/Resolution.aspx

Scout Oath 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.

Scout Law A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Mission The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

Slogan: Do a Good Turn Daily

A Scout Is Reverent: Bring Youth to Christ through a Scouting Ministry (ONLINE PAMPHLET)
Scouting teaches duty to and reverence for God
Central to the Scout Oath (or Promise) is the pledge to “do my duty to God.” The 12th point of the Scout Law states, “A Scout is reverent.” These commitments to the prominence of God in one’s life form a cornerstone of the Scouting program. When properly interpreted by an adult Scouter of strong faith to young people, even the unchurched begin to understand their need for God.

The Scouting unit is church-owned and -operated. 
A church that has its own Scouting unit (Boy Scout troop, Cub Scout pack, Varsity Scout team, or Venturing crew) has complete authority to direct the unit program in the best interest of its participants. In other words, the unit is church-owned and church-administered. The unit can be uniquely Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, etc., as long as the stated principles of Scouting are not violated

Imagine the outreach potential of a unit whose sole purpose is to reach unchurched young people in the
community. These young people might be hesitant to attend a regular church service but eager to join a
Scouting unit. What an opportunity for these young people, as well as for existing church members! To reach America with the Christian message requires boldness and a willingness to go out where the people
are. Scouting is such a tool for outreach. No, Scouting will not automatically achieve the results your church is after, but when Scouting leaders are chosen as carefully as the church’s Bible teachers, and when Scouting is seen as an integral ministry of the church, positive results are predictable.

Scouting is the wealth of opportunity available to help your church reach the young people of your community

Scouting provides age-appropriate ministries. Cub Scouting activities involve the parents, adult leaders, and friends of Cub Scouts in home-centered programs that teach life skills, habits, values, and attitudes consistent with the interests of their church. Millions of boys and their families participate in Cub Scouting, the largest of the three Boy Scouts of America membership divisions. Cub Scout activities encourage character development, physical coordination, family unity, and enthusiasm for learning.

Boy Scouting encourages boys to develop physical, mental, and emotional fitness and to adopt and live by meaningful personal standards as a cornerstone for success in life. These values include the basic principles in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Activities include fitness and leadership training, wilderness adventures, and merit badge incentives for boys mastering hobby and career skills.
http://www.scouting.org/filestore/membership/pdf/522-181_NoCrops.pdf

Scout Law
Leader: Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5)
Scouts: A Scout is clean.
Leader: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
Scouts: A Scout is reverent, he is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Relationships/ascoutisrevernt/ss04.aspx

Scouter Prayer
Dear Lord, from your judgment seat on high,
Look down on a Scoutmaster such as I.
Search me through and find me whole,
Then help me, Lord, to reach my goal.
Help me, Lord, to work for Thee,
Guard my homeland—keep it free.
Help me to work with others and be kind,
Helpful with my hands and mind.
Keep me, Lord, both well and strong,
To help growing boys along.
Control my thoughts, keep them right,
Sound, clean weapons for life's fight.
Protect my morals, keep them high,
Grant this to a Scouter such as I.
—Author Unknown
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Relationships/ascoutisrevernt/ss13.aspx

On my honor
Leader: Wisdom is the principal thing: Do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Get wisdom; get insight. (Proverbs 4:5) How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)
Scouts: On my honor, I will do my best to keep myself morally straight.
Leader: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:7)
http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Relationships/ascoutisrevernt/ss05.aspx



A Christian Perspective and Reflection on the Boy Scouts Membership Policy Changes

Recent membership policy changes by the Boy Scouts of America have forced many Christians and Churches to reevaluate their relationship with BSA.  Here are some important questions and answers…

Key Questions for Boy Scout Leaders and Parents

  1. Can you, or your child, take an oath that is inconsistently enforced and disingenuous?
  2. Is the change in policy change "reverent" of God and His truths?
  3. Is this policy change demonstrating "morally straight" behavior?
  4. Are you genuinely and wholeheartedly willing to obey and support this Boy Scout policy with your presence and participation?
  5. If you remain within the organization are you going to try to change the situation or tolerate it?
  6. Are you comfortable with your child having an unrepentant and openly homosexual-inclined boy as their leader and example?
  7. What will you do when homosexually-inclined adults and transexually-inclined individuals are incorporated into membership and leadership?  This is the logical and historical path the BSA is on.

“The BSA is teaching our kids that when your values become unpopular, just change them.” John Stemberger, www.onmyhonor.net

Key Points for Churches Chartering Boy Scouts
  1. What is the purpose of your ownership of a Boy Scout or Cub Scout Troop?  Can you still achieve these purposes with the polarization that has occurred in the Boy Scouts due to their stance on accepting homosexually-inclined boys and tacitly approving homosexual behavior?
  2. Are the missions of your church and the Boy Scouts headed in the same direction, or diverging apart?  If diverging apart, is there any visible, approach hope of redirection and reunion in purpose?
  3. What does your church membership policy say about homosexual sin?  If you do not clearly state your position, do you understand the future complications and legal concerns your church will face?
  4. Ensure you know and are able to communicate biblical truths on the issue of homosexual and heterosexual sin.  Don't overlook heterosexual sin while highlighting homosexual sin.  Expose all areas of sexual sin to God's truth.  Don't expect non-Christians or nominal-Christians to understand Christian beliefs and Scriptural convictions. (John 14:26; 16:12-15, Ephesians 1:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:10-13)  
  5. Morality does not save.  Jesus saves.  Trust Him.  Share his love.  Return love to those who hate you.  Correct brothers and sisters in Christ with gentleness, but do not overlook the sins of those who claim the name of Christ.

Key Truths for Christians to Consider Concerning the Boy Scouts
  1. Society is going to continue to head in a direction counter to God's Word.  Are you prepared to stand firm?  Do you know the truth?  Can you communicate the truth in love?
  2. Society is going to increasingly label legitimate Christians as a bigoted, intolerant, or worse.  Do you fear the opinions of men or God?  Will your godliness make you stand apart in this evil generation?
  3. You are the key religious and moral leader of your children.  Don't rely on Christian organizations, churches, or youth groups to raise your child to know God.  Lead your child to love and know Christ.  Will you?
  4. The world is watching and listening.  Be consistent. Are you going to call out the sin of homosexuality and ignore the porn addict in your house? Gloss over the seriousness of adultery?  Overlook the heterosexual sin in your family? Lust after a passerby?  Be holy as God is holy.


Points for Christian Parents of Children Identifying Themselves as Homosexuals

  1. Help your child to see God's plan.  God's plan is that they turn from their homosexual desires or any other sinful desires they have embraced.  God's plan is better than any feelings they may have. 
  2. Help your child to know that you love them, no matter what.  Truth must be communicated with love and concern. Desperately and fervently pray for your child. Show Christ's love to your child and any partners and friends they may have.  See them as God created them, not for the wrong choices they have made.
  3. Help your child to know there is hope.  No matter how difficult the temptation and struggle, for those of us who are in Christ, He is stronger and greater than all of our sin.  God can repair and heal.
  4. Your child's greatest need is not to be "straight."  Moralism does not save. Your child's greatest need is a saving and sanctifying relationship with Jesus.  Jesus will cleanse their sin and repair their hearts if they turn their lives over to Him. 
  5. Don't hide in shame.  It is true, some people will judge you and say stupid things.  Open up with trusted brothers and sisters in Christ.  Godly men and women will cover you with love and prayers.  
Find more help at: http://www.pureintimacy.org/

"My prayers, go out to the parents and churches who have been forced to make decisions about being a part of the Boy Scouts organization. As Southern Baptists, our commitment to the Word of God and Christian values must take priority over what is ‘politically correct.’” Fred Luter, Southern Baptist Convention President

“Few, if any, are suggesting the Boy Scouts kick out boys based on their particular temptations. We don’t, and shouldn’t do that in our churches, much less in the Scouts,” Moore told Baptist Press. “But this change is more than this. It doesn’t speak in terms of temptations but in terms of the claiming of a sexually politicized identity as morally neutral.” Russell Moore, President-Elect, SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission

See for yourself what God has to say about homosexuality...
Romans 1:24-32 Genesis 19 , Leviticus 18:22 , 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 , Galatians 5:19-21 , Ephesians 5:3-3 , 1 Timothy 1:9,10 , Jude 7

The best news available though, to the homosexually-inclined and all of humanity (we have all sinned), is that God's grace is sufficient to forgive us and cleanse us, should we choose to repent and turn away from our sins!


1 John 1:9-10 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives."

Discover True Hope


"I don't think people can live without hope.  What oxygen is to the lungs, hope is to our survival in the world.  And the Bible is filled with hope." ~Billy Graham

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