The cowardice of Scouting officials

To the Editor:

We want to express our appreciation to Donald Sorrel for his response to Eagle Scout Nate Kennedy's letter in which he supported extending membership to gay scouts and leaders in the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Sorrell was thoughtful, supporting his views with facts and logic. He did not engage in name calling or condemnation of individuals or groups.

It is very simple; we are not saying gay values are less than, but they are different than those of the heterosexual community. Homosexuality is clearly a violation of the spiritual standards and values of many scouting families. It also violates the scout oath that reads:

"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."

We believe that doing your duty to God and staying morally straight is violated by embracing homosexuality.

Scouting is intended to provide lifelong benefits. It gives its youth opportunities to try new things, be of service to their community and individuals in need. These opportunities are not just to benefit scouts in their youth, but to also influence their lives as adults. The values children learn and are exposed to in their formative years are instrumental in shaping their character and values system as adults. Scouting builds character by providing positive role models as scouts grow and develop, ultimately influencing their capacity for making wise choices. Scouting is about diverse group of youth and adults who find common ground in shared values. It is people coming together to help raise each other's kids.

A central element in the scouting program is "leading by example." This is key to the issue at hand. Opening the existing scouting program to the gay community means that not only the youth will be involves, but their parents will also be serving as scout masters, den leaders, as well as other leadership positions that place them in direct contact with children. Heterosexual parents may not want to expose their young cubs and scouts to an alternative lifestyle out of concern that they will be, at least confused, if not influenced by the behavior they observe.

We are puzzled by the gay community's persistence in pushing their way into an organization that they know does not accept their lifestyles and values. There are gay groups that are vocal and destructive, pushing communities to close parks and other facilities to the BSA because the BSA excludes gays from membership. We can certainly understand the gay community wanting the same advantages and experiences for their children, but destroying the BSA will not advance their cause. It will only result in the destruction of an organization that has served this country well, producing leaders of note at the community, state, national and international levels. Why don't they focus on developing an organization for gays? I am sure that the existing National BSA Organization would be willing to provide assistance in developing such a program. There would be no need for conflict and everyone should be happy . . . or, is it more than forcing their values on others?

It is time that the National BSA Organization stand by the scout oath and principles that have served us well for so long. Change for the sake of change or because the pressure is on is not a valid reason. I can promise that, if the changes being demanded are implemented, there will be an unprecedented exodus of parents and scouts from the organization that will ultimately result in a body that will be reduced to the "Gay Scouts of America."

I would like to note that we have yet to see or hear of Boy Scouts or their leaders cursing or picketing with signs that demean gays, charging into a church and interrupting the administration of sacraments demanding gay rights, holding a "kiss in" to protest a business man who does not accept their sexual behavior or engaging in other civil disobedience. The same cannot be said of some members of the gay community who draw strength from support by our President. The President is supposed to represent all of the citizens in this Nation; however, he seems to miss the message when he is the first President in our history to boycott the National BSA Jamboree but took time to call a gay sports figure to congratulate him on "coming out."

We can either defend our stance on these issues or sit quietly by while our freedoms are vanishing. There has been some suggestions that the decision regarding the admission of gays should be made at the local or community level. This is a position of administrative cowardice and serves only to leave the individual troops open to litigation and harassment. Political correctness is costly in terms of money and social well-being. In the end, the children of gays will suffer as well; it cannot be pleasant to know your presence is forced on others. There will be those who scream prejudice but we do believe we still have the right to choose the company we keep, and the Constitutional right of freedom of speech is extended to all of us . . . not a select group of minorities.

Yours in Scouting,

Jim and Shirley Stoll

Poplar Bluff, Mo