Religion

trotsky

(49,533 posts) Thu Jul 30, 2015, 10:34 AM Jul 2015

The one group still excluded from the Boy Scouts — atheists

http://www.religionnews.com/2015/07/29/boy-scouts-atheists-race/

Even as it shifts its policy on gay leaders, there are still millions of Americans today who do not meet one of the basic requirements to become a Boy Scout leader: those who does not hold religious beliefs.

Religion has always been at the center of the Boy Scouts, whose oath includes a pledge “To do my duty to God and my country.” And although the Boy Scouts of America is closely tied to the Protestant-based YMCA, the organization describes itself as “absolutely nonsectarian” and welcomes all faiths.

Those with no faith are a different matter.

People who hold no religious beliefs are not eligible for membership in the Boy Scouts — a policy which excludes a large and growing demographic. According to a recent Pew poll, nearly 23 percent of Americans do not identify themselves as religious.

3 replies

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The one group still excluded from the Boy Scouts — atheists (Original Post) trotsky Jul 2015 OP

It's why I dropped out. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2015 #1

As a gay kid, I was put off by the Scouts. LuvNewcastle Jul 2015 #2

Make no mistake about it: Gays are still excluded. Act_of_Reparation Jul 2015 #3

Erich Bloodaxe BSN

(14,733 posts)

1. It's why I dropped out.

Reply to trotsky (Original post)

Thu Jul 30, 2015, 10:40 AM

Jul 2015

I was a happy little cub scout, but as I got ready to move on, I knew I wasn't a 'believer', and I decided I didn't want to lie and pretend to be one.

LuvNewcastle

(16,846 posts)

2. As a gay kid, I was put off by the Scouts.

Reply to trotsky (Original post)

Thu Jul 30, 2015, 10:49 AM

Jul 2015

The whole morally straight God and country philosophy never appealed to me. I understand why people fight to make organizations more inclusive, but my feeling has always been that I'd rather be alone than be in an organization that was forced to allow me in it. From what I understand, the Girl Scouts are inclusive, and I give to them. I honestly get sort of a Hitler Youth vibe from the Boy Scouts.

Act_of_Reparation

(9,116 posts)

3. Make no mistake about it: Gays are still excluded.

Reply to trotsky (Original post)

Thu Jul 30, 2015, 11:22 AM

Jul 2015

Any troop affiliated with a religious organization (as a great many of them are) can still deny gays a place in their organization.

It is unlikely my old troop will be able to allow gays even if they wanted to. They rely on a Roman Catholic school/church for sponsorship and meeting space, and this change in rules (while a positive step, don't get me wrong) forces troops to choose between their landlords and prospective members.

The ban on atheists needs to go as well. I still remember sitting in my Scoutmaster's living room, prepping for my Eagle Board of Review. The words "You can't be a Boy Scout if you don't believe in God" are the only part of that meeting that stand out as memorable.

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