Boy Scouts of America: Is it appropriate to educate a 10 year-old that's soliciting funds for that kind of organization?

[Julie]

Originally Posted by tapu

I'm sorry, I don't get the difference. Taking a Silence + Death stance would mean confronting the parent, right?

First of all.
It is SILENCE = DEATH
If I keep my mouth shut - Then I am supporting discrimination. Ignorance breeds Hate - Hate breeds Death. I believe this.

I believe there is a difference between confronting and discussing.
I have given my reasons to both parents of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts as to why I will not financially support their organization.

I have never been met with anger or rudeness. Most often, I have been met with surprise and sadness.

It is an awakening for the ignorant.

Julie

[apretty]

Originally Posted by tapu

Silence = Death, Julie? To a Boy Scout and his mother selling candy? Really?

Silence is agreement, it's support.

I also understand what silence means, which is of course why I feel a bit compelled to open up a dialogue about how their club effects real people.

It really doesn't matter how you remove yourself from the organization--It's still Boy Scouts of America until you make it different it stays the same (discriminatory)--You could be ousted with one phone call to the association.

[apretty]

He's a super cute kid, let's bring him home!

Originally Posted by John Shaft

Your poll has loop holes.

I responded multiple times to the poll because sometimes I do ignore...sometimes I might say something to the kid or the mom or both. It depends on the age of the kid and my mood. I've seen the BS people at the grocery store for the last week or so and on Sunday the kid came over to me and screamed "STEELERS" as he noticed I was dressed in my Sunday best. He didn't ask me if I wanted to buy anything, he just high fived me, so that was that.

I definitely don't buy things from the boy scouts because of their discrimination policies. But I'm less likely to converse about why with the kid or the mom as to why.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Julie

First of all.
It is SILENCE = DEATH
If I keep my mouth shut - Then I am supporting discrimination. Ignorance breeds Hate - Hate breeds Death. I believe this.

I believe there is a difference between confronting and discussing.
I have given my reasons to both parents of the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts as to why I will not financially support their organization.

I have never been met with anger or rudeness. Most often, I have been met with surprise and sadness.

It is an awakening for the ignorant.

Julie

I'm sorry, I hit the caps key. I have corrected my error.

[tapu]

Originally Posted by apretty

It really doesn't matter how you remove yourself from the organization--It's still Boy Scouts of America until you make it different it stays the same (discriminatory)--You could be ousted with one phone call to the association.

Oh, boy, would they have their hands full then! I could really make a difference.

[Julie]

Originally Posted by tapu

Oh, boy, would they have their hands full then! I could really make a difference.

Maybe you can or already are making a difference now.
You are apparently an OUT Scout Parent.
Your troop is obviously not adhering to the rules and guidelines.

Were you aware of their stance on homosexuality?

Julie

[The_Lady_Snow]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/14explorers.html

[tapu]

Originally Posted by Julie

Maybe you can or already are making a difference now.
You are apparently an OUT Scout Parent.
Your troop is obviously not adhering to the rules and guidelines.

Were you aware of their stance on homosexuality?

Julie

Yes, we talked to the Scout Master at length, working out the understanding I detailed above re troop level vs. national level. As he pointed out, national level is controlled by LDS. There are lots of things to disagree with there--and lots of differences between that and troop level (e.g., no god assumed at troop level).

To change what you don't agree with, sure, start by talking to the Boy Scout at the supermarket--but then write to BSA Council. Silence = Death.

*****

Meanwhile, I'll work from within. You can bet that those scouts (and their parents) in our troop had a friendly, caring, accepting face to attach to "lesbian" after I was their counselor for a week. And woe to the person who tries to get the tapu out.

[Apocalipstic]

I get how the Boy Scouts are discriminatory, but I thought the Girl Scouts were completely separate?

[Chancie]

I posted last year about being invited to a student's Eagle Scout ceremony.

I was incredibly flattered and moved to be invited, but

I ultimately chose not to attend because of the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy and practices.

I do know that there are some troops that have distanced themselves from BSA, and that is incredibly brave.

I don't donate to United Way, because they give money to Scouts and I have no way of knowing where the money is going.

To answer the question, I would not sign the petition but

I would not explain why unless the child asked, and then I would explain in child appropriate language.

[princessbelle]

Originally Posted by Chancie

I posted last year about being invited to a student's Eagle Scout ceremony.

I was incredibly flattered and moved to be invited, but

I ultimately chose not to attend because of the Boy Scouts' discriminatory policy and practices.

I do know that there are some troops that have distanced themselves from BSA, and that is incredibly brave.

I don't donate to United Way, because they give money to Scouts and I have no way of knowing where the money is going.

To answer the question, I would not sign the petition but

I would not explain why unless the child asked, and then I would explain in child appropriate language.

OHhhhhhhhhhhh i remember that Chancie. I do. I do. Time flies.

I was a boyscout leader as well. True story. But that was eons ago and i was in a heterosexual relationship and was living the "straight life" with all the straight life privileges. So i didn't even think about it at the time. My ex husband was an eagle and we were very involved in the local group.

Now my kids are all grown. Was so so long ago. It would certainly be a different/difficult situation with my current way of life. My heart is out to you Tapu and all that you are doing for the kids. It is not an easy job. But, rewarding. I'm happy that you are able to be out and not feel threatened.

Rock on!!!

[SecretAgentMa'am]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

I get how the Boy Scouts are discriminatory, but I thought the Girl Scouts were completely separate?

They are. I tried googling. The only anti-Girl Scout websites I can find are written by right-wing nutjobs claiming that you should keep your little girls far away from the Girl Scouts because they teach girls witchcraft and encourage them to have abortions or some such nonsense. I'm entirely unaware of any reason to boycott them. I think the Girl Scouts are a fabulous organization.

[Julie]

I was not aware Girl Scouts changed their view on Gay/Lesbians being scout leaders. When my kids were young - It was not "allowed," to have a Gay or Lesbian parent being a scout leader. I know this for a fact, as a good friend of mine wanted to be a scout leader in her child's group and it was against GSA policy - Back in the 90's.

It's good they have progressed.

edited... it's interesting - their GSA (GSUSA) Policy has always had anti-discriminatory basis. I was not aware. However, from what I have read... Much depends on the local chapter and the national level stays out of it - I imagine, it is a case by case situation. I also read in 1999 where a little girl was denied by 7 troops acceptance, as she was HIV positive. 2011 - I hope things have changed.

Perhaps, I can buy my cookies after all.