Penn and Teller were on Showtime

[question everything]

picking a topic and ranting about. This evening were the boy scouts of America that would not allow gays and atheists. Where their duty to god comes before their duty to country (not a direct quote).

Interesting, they said that the BSOA was not always like that, but that about 20 years ago they started being funding by the Mormons and that's how they became assholes (and this was one of the milder term that Penn used throughout the show).

[NNadir]

1. I have understood the BSA to be an arm of Mormonism for some time.

I've had some pressure from the public school to put one of my sons in that organization, and in response, I have just glared.

My kids don't do bigotry.

[htuttle]

2. Well, that explains it

When I was in the Scouts decades ago, it was all about camping, knots, shooting (arrows and guns), learning how to drink (while camping), and the whole 'rite of passage' thing.

It seemed like something changed....I don't remember God coming up even once when I was in the Scouts other than the word 'reverent' (and we didn't really get into what the word meant -- we just had to memorize it).

[smoochpooch]

3. The Boy Scouts are a curious bunch

When they were sued for barring a gay man from leading a troop, they said they had always had a defined policy of morality, relying on some bylaw from the early '70s. I understand that they hope to instill their values in youth, and yes some of what they provide could be beneficial to youths. But the values in the Boy Scouts world is increasingly incompatible with the world we live in. I would never want my kid to be exposed to such intolerance at such a formative period. Religion is another example of good intentions gone awry. Although my faith is tentative at best, I still believe Christ's teachings provide a great example for all of us, and someday I'd like to use the Bible to help me teach my children right from wrong. Unfortunately, organized religion today is so intolerant that I'd rather not be around a lot of so called "Christians". They are ruining Christianity for everyone, no? I guess as a parent, you can't count on anyone else for help in teaching right from wrong.

[beam me up scottie]

5. Great post.

"I guess as a parent, you can't count on anyone else for help in teaching right from wrong."

Certainly not what's considered "right" and "wrong" by the "moral" majority.

Welcome to DU. :)

[NMMNG]

4. I recall when I was in Girl Scouts

Our pledge (which we recited each meeting) went:


"On my honor I will try to serve God, My Country, and Mankind, and to live by the Girl Scout Law".

I assume the Boy Scout pledge has God, Country and Mankind in the same order. :shrug: