I have a child in Boy scouts. He started as a first year Cub Scout and is almost an Eagle Scout now. My spouse and I volunteer many hours a week in the organization. Though there are problems with the organization overall it's a very good group. It teaches moral concepts but most of the religious stuff is expected to be taught at home. Our particular group has people from many different faiths. It also teaches outdoor skills, and leadership skills and many other things. We have had kids join who have been adjudicated to the troop and other's who's home life is horrible (we're talking about calls to Child Protective Services here). within about 6 months to a year we see a 180 degree turn around. It's very rewarding.
That being said I hate the BSA's discrimination against homosexuals agnostics and atheists. They have a "don't ask don't tell" policy toward atheists and agnostics but if your troop, district or charter organization has a douchebag or two in it and they find out you're an atheist, agnostic or homosexual you could get booted out of leadership. I think it could happen to your son as well but I think they will be lenient to him. I could go on about this if you like but for the sake of space I'll cut this short.
You will find some people who want to make the troop more fundamentalist Christian. It's fairly easy to redirect these people by reminding them of the pluralistic policies of the scouts.
As for ethics. I personally would ask you and your son to stay in scouts. The more non religious people and homosexuals in scouts the more it will eventually prove that these people are not a threat, nor are they immoral. Eventually don't ask don't tell will be repealed. Right now it's a foot in the door. I see it as an opportunity to prove the bigots wrong. I can tell you right now that some of the best scouts and leaders we have (and other troops as well) are non religious. Also some of the worst douche bags and crazy people have been devout Christians.
The Scouts are slow to change but they are going to have to get off their ass and change soon. The tide is turning against them. I suspect that within about 10 years or so their ban on atheists and agnostics will be repealed. Unfortunately for homosexuals I think it will take longer. I could go on about this issue also but for the sake of space I'll cut it short.
That being said I hate the BSA's discrimination against homosexuals agnostics and atheists. They have a "don't ask don't tell" policy toward atheists and agnostics but if your troop, district or charter organization has a douchebag or two in it and they find out you're an atheist, agnostic or homosexual you could get booted out of leadership. I think it could happen to your son as well but I think they will be lenient to him. I could go on about this if you like but for the sake of space I'll cut this short.
You will find some people who want to make the troop more fundamentalist Christian. It's fairly easy to redirect these people by reminding them of the pluralistic policies of the scouts.
As for ethics. I personally would ask you and your son to stay in scouts. The more non religious people and homosexuals in scouts the more it will eventually prove that these people are not a threat, nor are they immoral. Eventually don't ask don't tell will be repealed. Right now it's a foot in the door. I see it as an opportunity to prove the bigots wrong. I can tell you right now that some of the best scouts and leaders we have (and other troops as well) are non religious. Also some of the worst douche bags and crazy people have been devout Christians.
The Scouts are slow to change but they are going to have to get off their ass and change soon. The tide is turning against them. I suspect that within about 10 years or so their ban on atheists and agnostics will be repealed. Unfortunately for homosexuals I think it will take longer. I could go on about this issue also but for the sake of space I'll cut it short.
I have studied the Bible and the theology behind Christianity for many years. I have been to many churches. I have walked the depth and the breadth of the religion and, as a result of this, I have a lot of bullshit to scrape off the bottom of my shoes. ~Ziploc Surprise
