Comments on: Boy Scouts Sue Philly to Stay in HQ

By: loboinok

loboinok — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:15:42 +0000

To force a scout to believe in any religion at all is in violation of the first amendment…

Chip, nor anyone else has said anything about scouts or any person being “forced” to believe in any religion.

As for your gibberish that states that homosexuality is “unnatural”… it is practiced widely in the animal kingdom, which is the very definition of natural.

First,it is not practiced widely, and second, many things are practiced in the animal kingdom that society does not find acceptable for what most of us consider higher, intelligent lifeforms. Society frowns on having sex with your parents and other siblings. Some animals kill and devour their young. We haven’t degenerated to the point of eating the young we kill…yet.

Your way of thinking is logical if you accept the premise that there is no fundamental dividing line between man and animals. Now, I know you progressive/Socialist types are twisted and working overtime to improve on that — but we here, don’t accept or buy it.

By: Chip

Chip — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:32:54 +0000

Oh what misconceptions…
The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution states in part, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” The Boy Scouts (BSA) are not establishing religion…the Scout Oath and Law are not based upon The Bible…They are based upon natural law. Any boy of any religion that believes in a higher power can be a Boy Scout. For a list of religions that sponsor a religious recognition program in the BSA visit http://www.praypub.org/main_frameset.htm You will see plenty of religions that are not founded on The Bible.
Second, BSA’s positions on atheist and homosexuals being members of their organization date back to the beginning of the organization…long before Philadelphia rented the land to the Cradle of Liberty Council.
Third, what we have here, according to my research, is a group of homosexuals in the Philadelphia City Government who are trying to force the BSA to change. This is a matter of public record.
Lastly, because the BSA does not believe sticking your private parts up someone else’s backside is part of the natural order, they believe, apparently, that the violates the eleventh point of the Scout Law. (Atheist violate the first part of the Scout Oath and the twelfth point of the Scout Law.)
My question is…instead of trying to force the BSA to change, why don’t these people start their own scouting movement?

By: Amber Culbertson-Faegre

Amber Culbertson-Faegre — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:44:32 +0000

Actually, Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t require belief in a God or a spiritual deity. Instead, it says that you have to understand that you are out of control, and release your grasp over to a “higher power”. However, many AA texts note that the higher power could be as simple as a door knob. It doesn’t indicate a God, although many choose to take it that way.

My father is a devote atheist, and has been clean and sober using NA an AA for over twenty-five years.

The larger issue here is the Scout’s insistence that they are allowed to exclude homosexuals and atheists. The only reason for this exclusion is the continuous reliance upon the Bible. Therefore, the government would violate the separation of church and state if it was to give funding to them.

I understand that the city previously decided to enter an agreement with the scouts, but ultimately our Constitution and the evolving moral compass of our society must supersede a business deal made decades ago.

Scientific evidence has shown, time and time again, that homosexuality seems to have innate or prenatal determinates. It is abominable to discriminate against these people based on an intrinsic trait.

If in the 1930s a town had agreed to rent a building to the KKK, I think there would be a public outcry if the city chose NOT to end the lease. The KKK, and every other institution that is entrenched in the oppression of civil rights, has to be disassimilated.

The bottom line is that the government MUST NOT incorporate religion into the funded operations paid for through taxes paid by citizens. Religion is always the last front of the oppression of civil rights. In any given Boy Scouts Troop there are young boys who will grow up to be homosexuals. To preach a message of hate and intolerance, based on an ancient text with little current-day relevance, is in complete contradiction of our countries goals and foundations.

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:49:09 +0000

GO SCOUTS!!! Does that leave any doubt as to which way I come down on this? Good!

By: L

Wed, 28 May 2008 21:42:47 +0000

There are many groups and associations that have limitations on their membership yet enjoy government benefits. There are churches that do not pay property tax but actively ban “sinners” and the NAACP limits its membership and goodwill to people of color. It is not fair the City of Philadelphia is picking on the Scouts. This is a group that works on the blood sweat and tears of volunteers trying hard to instill a moral compass and community activism into the young man of the community. Alcoholic’s Anonymous, a group that gets more than its share of free space from the city, requires its members to believe in a higher authority. In a time when a major news program regularly runs episodes titled “To Catch A Predator,” why is it that the Boy Scouts cannot require its members to be morally straight?

By: Roy McCreary

Roy McCreary — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:55:40 +0000

The warlords running the City of Philadelphia are corrupt…plain and simple.

Its time to recall them from office.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 28 May 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Whenever a group or church enters into a “marriage” or union with the state – that group or church will always be made the whore.

By: Six Meat Buffet » Boy Scouts vs. Philly - Round III

Six Meat Buffet » Boy Scouts vs. Philly - Round III — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:01:02 +0000

[...] Thanks to Stop the ACLU. [...]

By: Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:36:51 +0000

There is quite a bit of backstory going to the 1930’s. The original deal was that the Boy Scouts would construct the building but it would belong to the City. Philadelphia, in turn would lease it back to the Boy Scouts in perpetuity.

Then, like all good things, the Liberals entered the scene and crapped all over it.

By: Jay

Jay — Wed, 28 May 2008 11:36:27 +0000

Indeed, Ogre. You nailed it.