****Why haven’t you started the atheist and gay scouts?
Cozza and his dad tried that.
Although the BSA excludes “atheists”, it accepts Buddhists and Hindus, who don’t believe in a supreme being, and Unitarians, who avoid setting a creed at all. In addition, the current interpretation of “reverent” is quite different from the one expressed in original scouting documents: " is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion." It was only after WWII that the BSA began to harden its position on religion. If you went back to examine what the original framers of the Scouting “constitution” wrote, you’d see that the current BSA position is both revisionist and activist.
And I’ve never seen anywhere in the Scout Oath or Law where being gay is a disqualifying characteristic. We’re supposed to be friendly, courteous, kind, and to do a good turn daily, and that should particularly apply to those kids who are most in need of help. I credit Scouting with helping to teach me to be ethical and to help other people at all times. I am disappointed that the current National Council has turned away from that.