As a young boy I looked forward to Wednesday afternoons because after school my friends and I would gather as a pack, a pack of Cub Scouts engaged in crafts, games and many other activities. My involvement with Scouting continued and my personal growth and appreciation for everything that Scouting taught me continued until a myriad of other activities in high school pulled me away. Although I never achieved the highest levels of Scouting as a young man, my memories are as distinct as the lessons I learned: respect others, appreciate your community and try to give back, give thanks to God for all that has been given you, and of course many lessons of outdoor life and skills. I can also list many things that Scouting never taught me, because these things just never seemed to matter to those involved with learning and having fun together: the color of one’s skin determines who you are, you are limited by who you keep company with, and your personal sexuality is a cause of judgment against you. These last things were not only never addressed, but if one were truly attentive to the Scouting Oath and the Law of Scouting they were proved to be completely false…or so I thought until fairly recently.

While no history fanatic I do know that Lord LtGen Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scouting movement in the UK in the early 1900s. The Scouting movement quickly made its way to the United States and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was formed. Although a private organization, and BSA remains one today, the Scouting movement swept the US with its focus on youth development and community service, learning of life skills and its spiritual foundation. These key aspects were exactly what Baden-Powell hoped for and they continue until this day. These aspects are exactly what I remember from my youth and they are the most significant reason I was supportive of my son’s involvement and why I volunteered to be an adult leader. But these aspects have transformed from principles in their purist form to things that only some would or could believe…to the detriment of those involved and to the future of Scouting.

As a young boy involved in Boy Scouts, I remember working on nature activities, rowing canoes on the lake and eating in large dining halls with other Boy Scouts from throughout the region. As an adult leader I remember all these things as well and I remember stories from other Scouts who had attended the National Jamboree. What is conspicuously missing from my recollections, and from the recollections of others, are some of the things that the current national leaders claim to be so important. I remember the boys and men who I shared my day and all the activities with; I do not remember their political agendas…that was left at the door. I remember the evening bonfires and camp songs; I do not remember the various sexualities of each person, nor did it ever occur to me that that sexuality might demean, belittle, or negate me, them or what we learned. I remember taking time before meal to give thanks and I remember being impressed with the older Scouts who were able to recite many blessings with great conviction…I wanted to be like them; I do not remember any objections from that great communal dinner or camp fire. But now we are told that those involved in Scouting that have a particular sexuality, a sexuality that brings them into a faithful and loving relationship with others of their same gender, cannot remain in Scouting. The national leadership of BSA has been exonerated of all wrong doing by the Supreme Court, stating that BSA is a private organization and they can make the rules. The BSA’s rules are likely devised from the narrow religious interpretation of how God would like humans to love each other, without taking into consideration the power of love and faithfulness and the fidelity of two people toward each other. No matter, say the national leaders, it is our organization and nearly everyone agrees with our decision. I think they are wrong.

And now we hear that the Scouting movement in the UK is considering alterations to its Oath and Laws to accommodate the inclusion of atheists. I have nothing against atheists…some of my best friends are atheists. However, the Scouting movement from its inception has been grounded in the thought that we live in a world where there is something greater than ourselves. Scouting’s initial movement may have had Christian beginnings, and expanding the Scouting program to broadly seek how God reveals the Divine Nature did little to diminish the original intention…we live in a world where God acts and we should seek to live in harmony with God and with each other. Nearly every world religion, at its best, seeks to serve God and others with love and compassion. The Scouts’ current consideration of accommodating an atheist understanding of Scouting’s key precepts is like asking NASCAR drivers to jump on the back of sea turtles but not to lose the initial intent of racing. Here the Scouts are wrong…again. I value my memories of Scouting; I value the skills that I have learned from Scouting and the skills I have been able to teach others. I am glad I still have my cherished memories of Scouting because it appears that cherished memories are quickly becoming the only thing that is right about Scouting.