Boy Scouts of America Shouldn’t Impose Its Views on Others

To the Editor:

I find it ironic that Greg Shields, national spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America, says, “We don’t force our beliefs on anyone; we simply ask that our values be respected and tolerated. It’s ironic in our pluralistic society that some who champion individualism, tolerance, and diversity don’t practice these principles themselves” (“Divided in Support of Scouts,” April 19).

Amicus briefs to the Supreme Court in opposition to the Boy Scouts of America policy of banning gays were submitted or joined by Methodists, Episcopalians, Reform Jews, Unitarian-Universalists, and members of the United Church of Christ. These religions and many secular organizations sponsoring scouting units disagree with banning homosexuals.

Tolerance and respect for the beliefs of these religions and organizations were ignored by the Boy Scouts of America because they did not conform to the religious beliefs of the major denominations running the Scouts. With a significant percentage of Scouts sponsored by the Mormon Church, and with the Scouts an important part of the Mormons’ youth ministry, it is obvious that we are to tolerate only some religious beliefs, not all, within the scouting tent. The only fair answer is that each unit sponsor be allowed to decide membership for itself. After all, it is only those at the local level who know the boys and leaders in their units.

Wendy Wartes
Woodinville, Wash.

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To the Editor:

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network applauds United Ways that have ceased supporting the Boy Scouts of America.

The actions of United Way chapters that have divested from the Scouts set a notable example: that organizations whose policies are based on intolerance do not foster the kind of values Americans want in their home communities. Until the Boy Scouts of America changes its exclusionary practices, we urge young people to consider the numerous organizations that welcome members regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Janice Goldfarb
Director of Development
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
New York

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To the Editor:

We were puzzled by quotes from Boy Scouts of America leaders in your April 19 issue. We do not believe that United Way chapters that have cut general funding to Scouts councils have been “missing the point of the Supreme Court decision.” Boy Scouts of America has portrayed itself to the Supreme Court as an inherently discriminatory religious organization. For chapters of the United Way to choose not to use pooled money for purposes that would violate the conscience and religious beliefs of many individual contributors is hardly inconsistent with a belief in “individualism, tolerance, and diversity.”

Barbara Lamond Purdom
Christopher Purdom
Coordinators
Interfaith Working Group
Philadelphia

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To the Editor:

How can we engage in vitally important social conflict and be neighborly with one another at the same time?

This question came to mind as we read your cover story on the funding challenges the Boy Scouts organization is having in many communities, because of its sexual-orientation-related discrimination practices. The same day we received your excellent article, we heard a radio report on how the Boy Scouts are helping to pile sandbags along the flood-prone edges of the Mississippi River.

Our thoughts on this:

• Yes, the Boy Scouts need to experience the consequences of social disapproval of their discriminatory acts.
• Just as important, the Boy Scouts need to know that while we take issue with some of their policies, we care for them and want to share our support.

Were we on a United Way board, we also would vote to impose measured and appropriate consequences to make sure the Boy Scouts knew that they had moved beyond reasonable discernment into inappropriate discrimination, and that this is not acceptable in our community.

After doing this, we would immediately and humbly be asking them if there was a Boy Scout pancake event or some other official activity that we could help out with a little on our own. Communities need to be able to get along, especially when we disagree with one another.

We need to be civil with and appreciative of one another, not only because the floodwaters may rise and we will need one another, but simply because we are neighbors.

Robert Evans
Cynthia Torp
Co-Founders
Grounds for Sharing
Fort Collins, Colo.