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
- Can you, or your
child, take an oath that is inconsistently enforced and disingenuous?
- Is the change in
policy change "reverent" of God and His truths?
- Is this policy change
demonstrating "morally straight" behavior?
- Are you genuinely and
wholeheartedly willing to obey and support this Boy Scout policy with your
presence and participation?
- If you remain within
the organization are you going to try to change the situation or tolerate
it?
- Are you comfortable
with your child having an unrepentant and openly homosexual-inclined boy
as their leader and example?
- 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
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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)
- 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
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
From www.gotquestions.org:
- What does the
Bible say about homosexuality?
- Is it possible to be
a gay Christian?
- What does the Bible
say about gay marriage/same sex marriage?
Points for Christian Parents of Children Identifying Themselves as
Homosexuals
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
