Boy Scouts consider retreat from anti-gay policy

It is not unusual at different times during the year while shopping to see the Boy Scouts at a shopping center selling goodies. The first thing one notices is the uniforms worn and the demeanor of these polite young men as they try to raise money for the Boy Scouts of America.
The Boys Scouts of America announced on Monday a proposal under consideration currently in discussions; potentially removing sexual orientation from the national membership restriction and permit regional counsels to make their own decisions regarding membership.
The Scouts‘ leadership released a statement, "This would mean there would no longer be any national policy regarding sexual orientation, but that the chartered organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting would accept membership and select leaders consistent with their organization's mission, principles or religious beliefs. BSA members and parents would be able to choose a local unit which best meets the needs of their families.”
"The policy change under discussion would allow the religious, civic or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue. The Boy Scouts would not, under any circumstances, dictate a position to units, members or parents. Under this proposed policy, the BSA would not require any chartered organization to act in ways inconsistent with that organization's mission, principles or religious beliefs."
This comes years after controversy surrounding the Scout’s current policy, which includes a high profile Supreme Court case in June 2000, and more recently corporate campaigns to suspend donations to the Boy Scouts.
Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council offered his take on the announcement on American Family Radio, Monday afternoon, “ "This is what's happening. The homosexual activists -- you know they succeeded in taking down the military with Barack Obama's help -- now they've been targeting the Boy Scouts using their allies in corporate America, where they get into the HR departments and they've been pressuring them like UPS and Merck Foundation, even though a Gallup poll just out shows that a majority of Americans agree with the Boy Scouts' position."
Randy Sharp, Director of Special Projects for the American Family Association remarked, "The BSA, for years, has had character and integrity and has stood firm on moral values. If they reverse this policy, then what they're saying now is that to remain 'morally straight' isn't as important as they've been saying for the past 100 years.”
According to the Associated Press, Southern Baptist leaders--who take the Biblical stance that homosexual acts are sinful were furious about the possibility of the change and said that its approval may encourage their churches to support other boys’ organizations instead. Sing Oldham, Vice President for communications with the Southern Baptist Convention conveyed that the policy change would convince some of the congregations to do away with their Boy Scout troops.
Peter LaBarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality reminded OneWorldNews how the Scouts went to the highest court in the nation to win the right to ban homosexuals from leadership positions but after homosexual activists began pounding them, then some businesses stopped their financial support. He made this statement, "If you take all that and you still come out strong, that's a victory. But if you allow all of that pressure to then change your values -- which is what they're doing here -- to accommodate homosexuality, then you've given in. You've let the bad buys win. It's very sad to see the Scouts cave on this. If you capitulate to the homosexual lobby, you're capitulating to immorality; and you're not being 'morally straight,' as the Boy Scout creed says."
The Boys Scout’s Oath is, “On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country. To help other people at all times, to obey the Scout Law, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
The Boys Scouts are truly at a crossroads. The very foundation of who they are could possibly change as early as next week with a final vote.
Please sign the petition urging the Boys Scouts to reject the policy change. You can also call and voice your opinion by dialing 972-580-2000.
http://secure.afa.net/afa/activism/SignPetition.asp?id=1990
http://www.onenewsnow.com/culture/2013/01/29/a-plea-to-scouts-don%E2%80%99t-let-the-%E2%80%98bad-guys%E2%80%99-win