boy scouts rule

A detailed Summary of boy scouts rule

The Other Side of the Boy Scouts of America

In the oath of the Boy Scouts it is written, "On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight" (Scout). The controversy is simply over the last two words of the oath, "morally straight". The phrase "morally straight" is interpreted by the Scouts to mean, "the good of sexual intimacy is inextricably bound to being an honorable husband and a loving father" (Tooley). Therefore, any act of homosexuality would go against the beliefs of the Boy Scouts. While the organization does not discriminate against any other minority, it has a strong foundation against gays. What a boy is told at a young age continues with him for the rest of his life. If at such a young age, 4.5 million Boy Scouts are told that it is just to discriminate against homosexuals, what does that say for society (Tooley)? It is unreasonable for the Boy Scouts of America to expel and prevent those who want to take part in the organization, due to their sexual preference.

Given the Boy Scout's outlandish rule,

"I was a Boy Scout once, and my world views were pretty consistent with those the Boy Scouts upheld. I valued service, learning, helpfulness, honesty, and caring. Without being too self-righteous, I'd say that I've always been 'a good kid,' and in fact, I made a pretty good Scout, too. I lament the fact that the Boy Scouts now would not accept me as positive role model and mentor on account of my sexual orientation, regardless of all my accomplishments in academics and in the community. As American society becomes increasingly supportive of equal rights for gays and lesbians, the Boy Scouts will ultimately suffer from their decision to exclude homosexuals from their organization. Needless to say, I feel the Boy Scouts are completely off balance for adopting their anti-gay employment policy. I encourage them to evaluate themselves using their own standards and pose the question, "Since when has discrimination been a morally straight act?"

Rabbi Michael Mayersohn said to best, "I do not see any rationale in getting involved or supporting the Boy Scouts" (Lobdell B: 2). The Scouts, have put themselves in a place that will forever impact its future membership. Their policy is completely unconstitutional, despite the Supreme Court's decision. James Dale said, "The program teaches self reliance, leadership, and giving your best to society. This policy goes against everything the program has taught me" (Meers). The organization's stand goes against everything this country was founded upon; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This is true, regardless of one's sexual orientation.

Twenty nine year old James Dale had been a scout most of his life, and had reached the level of Eagle Scout, before he was kicked out of the organization in 1990, because the Boy Scouts found he was gay (Meers). As the president of a Gay and Lesbian organization at Rutgers University, Dale was speaking at a social worker conference (Meers). His photograph as well as parts of his speech were taken and put into a local newspaper. Less than a week later, the dreadful letter arrived from the Boy Scouts of America, saying that he no longer met the standards for leadership that the organization upheld (Meers). The letter included the statement, "avowed homosexuals are not permitted in the Boy Scouts of America." It was one among many comments that discriminated against gay

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Approximate Word count = 1604
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English