Almost 20 years ago, I became an Eagle Scout. This took a lot of work and taught me leadership and many skills that help me all the time. I am extremely proud of my accomplishment and it is pretty apparent in my office where I have my Eagle Scout award hanging on the wall.
As most people are aware, the Boy Scouts of America has some facets to it that are extremely conservative especially when it comes to its views of gays and religion. The recent case of an Eagle Scout candidate being denied the award is deep rooted in religious views that seems to dominate some policies of the organization. Nowhere is it stated that gays can’t be leaders and/or earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Some claim that being gay is not part of “to do my duty to god” or being “reverent”. This brings religion into an organization that doesn’t teach religion and should keep religious debate to adults and not bring Scouts into it.
This is discrimination and hatred pure and simple. It doesn’t make the candidate any less deserving because of his views and really makes the organization look bad. While it will be too late for some Eagle Scout candidates, Randall L. Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T has vowed to end this discrimination when he heads the BSA in 2014; it can’t come soon enough.
It is my belief that the concept of religion should be completely removed from Scouting as the only thing that religion seems to do is create controversy and hatred. However, as the organization doesn’t specifically say what “god” is, it can be interpreted in many ways. I don’t recall if the handbook talks about organized religion, but I also don’t think that atheists should be excluded. Maybe their “god” is Mother Earth. Maybe it is family. Who knows, but to exclude people based on beliefs is teaching the wrong message.
The Boy Scouts should be ashamed of its practices; I, however, will not give up my Eagle Scout award and will continue to say that I am an Eagle Scout. I hope that things can change in the organization with the change in leadership.