GeekDrew and others, I'm sorry you either had a bad experience with the Scouts or cannot get past some aspect of it you don't like. I know when I was coming up through the ranks there were several homosexual scouts around and it wasn't a big deal to the rest of us.
Couldn't agreee more!! Eagle Scout 2000. I may not remember all my knots, but I really learned about volunteering in the community and emergency first aid for all the stupid stuff I tend to do. Went to Philmont in '97 and had a time of my life, even though it rained most of the days!
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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I started scouting when it was first opened up to me (2nd grade?) and continued on to get my Eagle Scout in 1999. I learned a lot in the Boy Scouts but my one regret was not joining a troup that was a little more serious about it.
0roo0roo
No Lifer
- Sep 21, 2002
- 64,795
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Originally posted by: thepd7
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: NFS4
Wow, I think someone said it best on MSNBC last week. You know that your opponent has run out of meaningful things to say when the Hitler references come out
That being said, to tell you the truth, I really don't care what others think about the Boy Scouts or what they do. All I know is that I thought that it was beneficial to me as a youth and when I was going through the scouts NOT ONCE did the issue of race or homosexuality enter the equation.
The rest can do as you please. No skin off my nose.
no, you can't trot out that internet "law", just look into the youth groups during that time and you can see they do have strong parallels. and their strong points did not make up for the evil involved. and it doesn't matter if your troop leader is specifically homophobic, many aren't. i never got a talk about homos in scouts ever. but the simple fact is there is no way to join without supporting the organization and its leadership which is clearly bigoted. there is no joining while flagging yourself as objecting to things. you join, you place yourself on their side and in effect bolster their position. as for being benificial, i think it would be more benificial to be morally/ethically consistent and teach children not to lend support to bigotry in any way. even if its personally no skin off their noses as its another group thats subject to rejection.
By the definitions of bigot at dictionary.com here you are a bigot because you have just as much intolerance for those that think being gay is wrong as they have for gays. Interesting.
if you want to get technical you couldn't be against racists without being a bigot ok? the specific bigotry here is homophobia, and in the boyscouts its not just a belief, its enforced. so stop playing games.
The troop really depends on the Scoutmaster to set the "feeling" and promote the scout values. I was lucky enough to have a really great Scoutmaster who more concentrated on real life skills and not so much on the ridulous complete uniforms, religion, and gay rights. It's kinda like Islam...you will always have a few "wierdos" that are on the fringes of the group and tend to draw enemies that hate the entire group.
I did not ever have the complete uniform and neither did most of the people in the troop.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
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I think that's more of an intolerance in Christianity especially in the bible belt areas. Like you said, the scouts in your area largely go to that same church. Idiots...I have no tolerance for the intolerant.
Neither do I...I am tolerant of nearly all people reguarless of religion, sexual orientation, or other topics. I may believe in one religion, but I will not promote my religion onto others who are "unsaved" I like to learn about other religions!
I was also in scouts and made it to Eagle. I loved it as well. I would say 50% of my cherished childhood memories are linked to scouts somewhere. We would go cattle driving, cattle branding, canoeing through yellowstone lakes, sitting quiet in our tents as the bears in yellowstone went through the fish guts one of my idiot friends left in our camp, haha.
I will NEVER force my kids into that organization of power hungry fathers... This is coming from an eagle scout. Scouting was the WORST experience of my life.
I couldn't agree more with you. Why do you need an "organization" to do what parents SHOULD be doing? Its stupid...
pontifex
Lifer
- Dec 5, 2000
- 43,804
- 46
- 91
i used to be in boy scouts when i was younger. i quit going because they never did anything. i remember my one friend who had moved away was still in scouts for a long time after i had quit. they were always doing stuff, going on trips and all that junk.
guess my group wasn't very well funded or something.
guess my group wasn't very well funded or something.
Scouting has a religious orientation.
When I was a cub scout leader I had to swear I believed in God.
Keep that in mind...
When I was a cub scout leader I had to swear I believed in God.
Keep that in mind...
That kind of sounds more like a particular community than the scouts doing it. I mean is everyone that was cheering him in scouts?
radioouman
Diamond Member
- Nov 4, 2002
- 8,632
- 0
- 0
I am an Eagle Scout and a Vigil member in the Order of the Arrow. Scouting was a great way to learn so many valuable principles in life. I had many great experiences in scouting, and I got to influence many young scouts when I worked at scout camp for four years. I wish that I were still involved. 
The good Scouting does is more than outweighed by their excluding perfectly good people from participating.
That is not a lesson that makes the world a better place.
That is not a lesson that makes the world a better place.
Bigots?
I'm not the one who said gays aren't allowed.
I'm not the one who said athiests aren't allowed.
Scouts have done both. OFFICIALLY.
- Oct 28, 1999
- 62,484
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Former Scout here...never made it to Eagle, only a "Lifer".
I agree that it was a very good program to help build morals, bolster teamwork, and help make you a more rounded and resourceful person.
At the age that most scouts are, they really aren't old enough to really *get* the whole God thing so it's not that big of a deal IMHO. I was raised Catholic and went through all the paces, but have since changed my beliefs after getting older.
The principals are still very good, as are most of the moral teachings. Even being a non-church going person I feel that it is better environment than most others.
Scouts have received a lot of bad publicity and the whole gay thing is really blown out of proportion IMHO. It was never an issue when I was in school and is largely escalated by very outspoken people on BOTH sides of the issue. The vast majority just shrug their shoulders and deal with it when/if it comes up.
The gay/god sensitivity and hysteria is an exception, not the rule.
I agree that it was a very good program to help build morals, bolster teamwork, and help make you a more rounded and resourceful person.
At the age that most scouts are, they really aren't old enough to really *get* the whole God thing so it's not that big of a deal IMHO. I was raised Catholic and went through all the paces, but have since changed my beliefs after getting older.
The principals are still very good, as are most of the moral teachings. Even being a non-church going person I feel that it is better environment than most others.
Scouts have received a lot of bad publicity and the whole gay thing is really blown out of proportion IMHO. It was never an issue when I was in school and is largely escalated by very outspoken people on BOTH sides of the issue. The vast majority just shrug their shoulders and deal with it when/if it comes up.
The gay/god sensitivity and hysteria is an exception, not the rule.
Supermercado
Diamond Member
- Jan 18, 2002
- 5,893
- 0
- 76
Another Eagle chiming in. I had a great time going camping and canoeing and to the 1997 Jamboree and all sorts of stuff. Both my brother and I were in Scouts from Tiger Cubs to Eagle Scout. Definitely glad that I did it and if I ever have a son, would encourage him to join, as well.
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