BSA Membership Resolution & LDS Church Statement

Since my last post on the subject of the BSA membership standard (March 31), the BSA National Executive Committee met, completed their review of the findings from the listening phase of the Membership Standards Study Initiative, and drafted a Membership Standards Resolution.  The resolution is being reviewed by the full National Board, and will be voted on by the board on May 24.  If approved, it would be effective Jan. 1, 2014. 

For those who have not seen the resolution, it is worth reading in its entirety, and is reproduced as follows.  Following the resolution (I have bolded & underlined more relevant text), I discuss ramifications especially from the LDS perspective (The LDS Church being the largest sponsor of Scouting units and members in the U.S.), present the LDS Church’s media statement on the resolution, and explain why I believe we can and should support both.

Boy Scouts of America Membership Standards Resolution

“WHEREAS, it is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law:

“Scout Oath

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.

“Scout Law

A Scout is:  Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent

“AND WHEREAS, duty to God, duty to country, duty to others, and duty to oneself are each a core value and immutable tenet of the Boy Scouts of America; and

“WHEREAS, the Scout Oath begins with duty to God and the Scout Law ends with a Scout’s obligation to be reverent, and that will always remain a core value of the Boy Scouts of America, and the values set forth in the Scout Oath and Law are fundamental to the BSA and central to teaching young people to make better choices over their lifetimes; and

“WHEREAS, the vision of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare every eligible youth in America to become a responsible, participating citizen and leader who is guided by the Scout Oath and Scout Law; and

“WHEREAS, for more than 103 years, programs of the Boy Scouts of America have been delivered to youth members through cooperation with chartered organizations that select adult leaders who meet the organization’s standards as well as the leadership standards of the Boy Scouts of America; and

“WHEREAS, numerous independent experts have recognized that the programs protecting Scouts today, which include effective screening, education and training, and clear policies to protect youth and provide for their privacy, are among the best in the youth-serving community; and

“WHEREAS, the current adult leadership standard of the Boy Scouts of America states:

The applicant must possess the moral, educational, and emotional qualities that the Boy Scouts of America deems necessary to afford positive leadership to youth. The applicant must also be the correct age, subscribe to the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and abide by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law.

While the BSA does not proactively inquire about sexual orientation of employees, volunteers, or members, we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA.

“AND WHEREAS, Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting; and

“WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America does not have an agenda on the matter of sexual orientation, and resolving this complex issue is not the role of the organization, nor may any member use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda; and

“WHEREAS, youth are still developing, learning about themselves and who they are, developing their sense of right and wrong, and understanding their duty to God to live a moral life; and

“WHEREAS, America needs Scouting, and the organization’s policies must be based on what is in the best interest of its young people, and the organization will work to stay focused on that which unites us, and

“WHEREAS, the Boy Scouts of America will maintain the current membership policy for all adult leaders of the Boy Scouts of America, and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

The following membership standard for youth members of the Boy Scouts of America is hereby adopted and approved, effective Jan. 1, 2014:

“Youth membership in the Boy Scouts of America is open to all youth who meet the specific membership requirements to join the Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Sea Scout, and Venturing programs.  Membership in any program of the Boy Scouts of America requires the youth member to (a) subscribe to and abide by the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law, (b) subscribe to and abide by the precepts of the Declaration of Religious Principle (duty to God), and (c) demonstrate behavior that exemplifies the highest level of good conduct and respect for others and is consistent at all times with the values expressed in the Scout Oath and Scout Law. No youth may be denied membership in the BoyScouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”

Even before hearing of the Church’s statement, as I read the proposal, I thought to myself that it wasn’t really much if any different in practice than our current standards.  It may on the surface appear somewhat different, and seemed as far as that went that it might somewhat soothe the activists, and those concerned for well-meaning youth.

Clearly the leadership aspect is unchanged, which is vital from the perspective of role models & influencing and protecting youth.  The executive summary states:

“Many religious chartered organizations stated their concern is with homosexual adult leaders and not with youth. ... A change in the membership policy specific to youth only would be consistent with the religious beliefs of the BSA’s major chartered organizations.”

The last sentence in the youth standard is key, and especially the last word – “No youth may be denied membership in the BoyScouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.”  The resolution clearly states that “...any sexual conduct, whether homosexual or heterosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting;”  Sexual misconduct, then is clearly one basis for exclusion from membership.   The adult standard (as I read it, it applies to members in general) points out another possibly broader criterion:  “...we do not grant membership to individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals or who engage in behavior that would become a distraction to the mission of the BSA”  This, together with the resolution statement that “...nor may any member use Scouting to promote or advance any social or political position or agenda;” clearly indicates that a degree of openness about, or promotion of, homosexuality or behavior (not merely sexual conduct, but verbal) that distracts from the mission of BSA would also be grounds for denying or revoking membership.  The executive summary further clarifies this distinction, stating that there is broad agreement about “...not removing a Scout from the program solely on the basis of sexual orientation as opposed to behavior.”  Behavior can include verbal, just as it’s inappropriate for Scouts to talk about heterosexual intercourse, etc.

So in practice, I really see no difference from current LDS policy, either for membership in the Church, or in its chartered Scouting organizations.  There are homosexual members of the Church who are in good standing, as long as their behavior (sexual and verbal) is consistent with Church standards of chastity, etc.  The Church realizes that there are homosexual as well as heterosexual orientations and sexual urges among all that must be appropriately controlled and restricted to marriage. 

Of course when it comes to marriage, some liberal churches and other sponsoring organizations take a more liberal stance on marriage (or even on promiscuity), and would condone or support gay marriage and that definition of “family.”  Per the above resolution, promoting or advancing that social agenda should be out of place for Scouting.  The Family Life merit badge encompasses the only social order (outside of the citizenship areas) that ought to be legitimately endorsed by Scouting – including “...the father’s role in the family” (requirement #7a). 

The standard should in theory, then, as desired, be a uniform standard.  In practice, we will see among some more liberal chartering organizations.  If not, then those organizations or individuals presumably would be held in non-compliance, and charters or individual memberships could be revoked.  And certainly violations of the Youth Protection guidelines would be subject to Scouting and criminal procedures.

Here is the LDS Church’s media statement on the resolution:

 Church Issues Statement on Boy Scouts of America

Salt Lake City — 

For 100 years, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enjoyed a strong, rewarding relationship with Boy Scouts of America (BSA).

Recently, BSA has been reviewing a possible policy change in its standards for membership and leadership. Now that BSA has finished its review process and has proposed a resolution for consideration, the Church has issued the following statement:

“Over the past several weeks BSA has undertaken the difficult task of reviewing its membership standards policy. In their own words, this undertaking has been 'the most comprehensive listening exercise in its history.'

"While the Church has not launched any campaign either to effect or prevent a policy change we have followed the discussion and are satisfied that BSA has made a thoughtful, good-faith effort to address issues that, as they have said, remain 'among the most complex and challenging issues facing the BSA and society today.'

"The current BSA proposal constructively addresses a number of important issues that have been part of the on-going dialogue including consistent standards for all BSA partners, recognition that Scouting exists to serve and benefit youth rather than Scout leaders, a single standard of moral purity for youth in the program, and a renewed emphasis for Scouts to honor their duty to God.

"We are grateful to BSA for their careful consideration of these issues. We appreciate the positive things contained in this current proposal that will help build and strengthen the moral character and leadership skills of youth as we work together in the future.”

Almost implicit seems to be that this is not a perfect proposal (there never is one), but emphasizing the good in it – finding the common ground we can support.  This is in keeping with our 13^th article of faith, that “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things...”, and in building bridges with our community, and in “holding fast to that which is good [e.g., Scouting].”

The resolution recognizes that “youth are still developing, learning about themselves and who they are, developing their sense of right and wrong, and understanding their duty to God to live a moral life; and ... America needs Scouting, and the organization’s policies must be based on what is in the best interest of its young people,...”  This acknowledges that Scouting can be an influence for good in the development of those youth with homosexual inclinations, in other areas as well as helping with their sense of right and wrong, and dealing with moral issues as defined by their religious beliefs, perhaps including the appropriateness of various homosexual behaviors.  It is a good-faith attempt to do good to all men, and minister to all men, even (or especially) sinners and potential sinners, as Christ did.  And that perhaps some slack ought to be cut for them.

It will no doubt be seen by young homosexuals as Scouting being more gay-friendly, and will likely attract more young men who have homosexual inclinations, preference or orientation.  They of course will need to understand and agree to the behavior standards.  Sexual behavior must, as I expressed in my letter to council representatives, continue to be a core focus of Scouting’s Youth Protection programs and vigilance on the part of leaders and Scouts themselves, especially if or where there are shared private quarters like tents. 

Of course we don’t even know how the National Board vote on the proposal will go.  The surveys seemed to indicate stronger desire by adult Scouters to maintain the current standards, than among those outside Scouting.  But if understood as I have discussed, it is hard to see much difference in the standards, or why even conservative religious chartering organizations would fundamentally object.  But clearly LDS Scouters and Scouts can in good faith support the vote either way, and continue as part of the Scouting community, as the Church clearly intends.