Fr. Geoff's e-mail:
(Father Geoff's original text is in black, our replies in blue. Quotes throughout are in italics.)
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/who-is-bob-mccarty-and-why-should-he-be-fired
- Please see Part 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching, + Current Catholic Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction
- There's an entirely different dynamic with Scout activities, especially camping, etc. Scouting covers ages 11-18. Role-modeling, character development, and leadership are major components of the BSA program. This has always been the ideal because younger scouts look up to the older ones for their example.
- Per the new policy, upon turning 18, open and avowed homosexuals can no longer be members of the BSA. How is this being more in line with Catholic teaching as this has just excluded openly gay adults? The current policy does not address this, because sexuality had never been a politicized issue in the BSA prior to the policy change.
- What about concupiscence? Conscience formation? Custody of the eyes and ears? Keeping a moral climate that is not hostile to people of faith? These are all authentic Catholic concerns covered in the Catechism. The policy change completely goes against all of these.
Trail Life policy is actually more in line with Catholic teaching, and is completely aligned with American Heritage Girls which St. Max currently charters. Trail Life is the complementary young men's program to AHG. See PART 3: BSA, GSA, AHG, Trail Life History/Timeline for a comprehensive view of why AHG split off from GSA and eventually BSA.
It’s critical for pastors to ensure that leaders are in compliance with all Archdiocesan child protection policies as a minimum standard, that the leaders are Catholics in good standing with the Church, and that their teaching and modeled behaviors are in accord with our Catholic faith.
No disagreement here.
b) Squires do not hold enough outdoor activities which is essential to scouting life.
c) Federation of North American Explorers is currently in Philadelphia and affiliated internationally with FSE, but there was not enough interest from existing BSA Leaders.
This information includes all the links and articles compiled for a binder that Fr. Geoff requested. I am making it available for everyone to see exactly what information was given to him.
(Father Geoff's original text is in black, our replies in blue. Quotes throughout are in italics.)
Greetings, all – Since St. Max is a Roman Catholic parish, i.e. part of a larger Church, I do think we have to be attentive to what has been said by our own Archbishop and the offices of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (extensions of his office) regarding BSA and the formation of new scouting groups.
First, the Archbishop has stated that there are no reasons for parishes to abandon the BSA because of their recent policy change regarding admitting children with a homosexual orientation. That policy change in effect brought BSA more closely in line with Catholic teaching and practice.- Please see Part 3: Who is Bob McCarty and Why Should He Be Fired?
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/who-is-bob-mccarty-and-why-should-he-be-fired
- Please see Part 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching, + Current Catholic Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction
None of our Catholic schools, youth ministry programs, athletics teams, etc. refuse to admit children who self-identify as homosexual.- Those programs are not Scouting. Explicit to the Scout Oath are duty to God, being mentally awake and morally straight.
- There's an entirely different dynamic with Scout activities, especially camping, etc. Scouting covers ages 11-18. Role-modeling, character development, and leadership are major components of the BSA program. This has always been the ideal because younger scouts look up to the older ones for their example.
- Per the new policy, upon turning 18, open and avowed homosexuals can no longer be members of the BSA. How is this being more in line with Catholic teaching as this has just excluded openly gay adults? The current policy does not address this, because sexuality had never been a politicized issue in the BSA prior to the policy change.
- What about concupiscence? Conscience formation? Custody of the eyes and ears? Keeping a moral climate that is not hostile to people of faith? These are all authentic Catholic concerns covered in the Catechism. The policy change completely goes against all of these.
Second, according to an “online investigation” by the archdiocese, the new scouting program, Trail Life USA, does not intend to exclude children with homosexual orientation, but will exclude individuals who are openly sexually active outside of marriage. This is the same standard as BSA.- This has no bearing on whether Trail Life is a viable program or not.
As pastor, I would be anxious to hear what Trail Life USA’s understanding is regarding homosexuality and chastity. The teachings of the Roman Catholic Church regarding these are clearly defined in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” #2357, 2358, 2359.- Please see Part 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching + Current Catholic and Scientific Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction.
Trail Life policy is actually more in line with Catholic teaching, and is completely aligned with American Heritage Girls which St. Max currently charters. Trail Life is the complementary young men's program to AHG. See PART 3: BSA, GSA, AHG, Trail Life History/Timeline for a comprehensive view of why AHG split off from GSA and eventually BSA.
Third, a pastor can permit members of a parish to organize youth-serving programs of different kinds, provided that those programs operate in accord with Catholic teaching, practice, and the policies of the Archdiocese and the parish.- Please see Part 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching + Current Catholic and Scientific Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction.
And fourth, the archdiocese warns that the due diligence be exercised in vetting any new youth programs that are brought in to the parish so as to ensure that they are acceptable.
Such “fledgling” youth programs…
(a) may be very difficult to assess because they may lack history and a track record that can be investigated
(b) may lack sufficient resources, structures and a viable program based on solid and proven developmental principles
(c) may lack organizational leadership that has been found to be consistently trustworthy over a significant period of time
(d) may not have well-developed training programs for leaders or the systems of accountability that are a part of long-established programs- All Trail Life leaders have extensive BSA leadership training and background. Collectively, we have hundreds of years of scouting experience and knowledge. We will not make the same mistakes as BSA. Trail Life leaders formed this organization precisely because BSA chose to veer off course. We're staying the course with our duty to God. (Please see Part 3 #11)
It’s critical for pastors to ensure that leaders are in compliance with all Archdiocesan child protection policies as a minimum standard, that the leaders are Catholics in good standing with the Church, and that their teaching and modeled behaviors are in accord with our Catholic faith.
No disagreement here.
Thus, as pastor, I am not opposed to starting a new scouting group here as long as it is authentically and purposefully Roman Catholic and that the reasoning behind beginning such a new scouting group is in no way discriminatory or homophobic (both of which are contrary to Church teaching).- Please see Part 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching + Current Catholic and Scientific Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction.
I would also ask if other scouting options have been considered, for example the Catholic Scouts of St. George (http://scoutsofsaintgeorge.a) Catholic Scouts of St. George is too exclusive. We Catholics are called to be salt of the earth and light to the world. This is why we welcome people of all faiths, exactly like American Heritage Girls. And like American Heritage Girls we are committed to living and promoting authentic Christian and Catholic virtue. AHG broke off from GSA when GSA's associations with anti-life organizations were revealed. AHG chose to cut off ties with BSA the day BSA changed their policy. AHG also chose to form a coalition with Faith Based Boys, which today is known as Trail Life USA.com).
b) Squires do not hold enough outdoor activities which is essential to scouting life.
c) Federation of North American Explorers is currently in Philadelphia and affiliated internationally with FSE, but there was not enough interest from existing BSA Leaders.
********************************
This information includes all the links and articles compiled for a binder that Fr. Geoff requested. I am making it available for everyone to see exactly what information was given to him.
PART 1: Policy
1. Current BSA Policy: http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/membershipstandards/knowthefacts/faqs.aspx
While the BSA does not proactively inquire about the 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.
2. Boy Scouts of America Statement, May 23, 2013:
http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/membershipstandards/resolution/results.aspx
Today, following this review, the most comprehensive listening exercise in Scouting's history the approximate 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America's National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. The resolution also reinforces that Scouting is a youth program, and any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age is contrary to the virtues of Scouting.
Comment: On the contrary, the Voice of the Scout survey which was sent to more than 1 million adult members, with over 200,000 respondents, showed the following results:
- Respondents support the current policy by a 61 percent to 34 percent margin.
- Support for the current policy is higher at different program and volunteer levels in the organization:
- 50 percent of Cub Scout parents support it; 45 percent of Cub Scout parents oppose.
- 61 percent of Boy Scout parents support it.
- 62 percent of unit leaders support it.
- 64 percent of council and district volunteers support it.
- 72 percent of chartered organizations support it. (IOW, churches)
3. Know the Facts: BSA Youth Protection:
http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/BSAYouthProtection/BSA_Communications/Commitment_to_Youth_Protection.aspx
Adult leaders must respect the privacy of members and protect their own privacy‹especially in situations such as changing clothes and taking showers at camp. The BSA strongly encourages councils to have separate shower and latrine facilities for females as well as separate facilities for youth. When separate facilities are not available, separate times for male and female and/or youth and adult showering should be scheduled and posted. No youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his or her own parent or guardian.Now that there will be a "third sex" introduced, how does the BSA propose that Scout leaders handle these situations?
PART 2A: History of the LGBT Agenda, the APA, NARTH and Current Scientific Thought on Homosexuality
A. LGBT, the APA, and NARTH
1. Gay and Lesbian lobbying to have homosexuality delisted as a disorder from the APA's Diagnostic and Statistical Manuay in 1973:
2. APA's Political Decision
Dr. Robert Spitzer describes how the American Psychological Association bowed to political pressure in 1973 and removed homosexuality from the DSM list
3. Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change from Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation
Robert L. Spitzer, M.D.
4. NARTH and the APA: A Brief History
http://www.narth.com/2012/06/2532#!narth-and-the-apa---a-brief-history/c226l
5. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About NARTH and Homosexuality
http://www.narth.com/#!faq/cirw
5. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About NARTH and Homosexuality
http://www.narth.com/#!faq/cirw
6. Identical Twin Studies Demonstrate Homosexuality is Not Genetic
http://www.narth.com/#!gay---born-that-way/cm6x
PART 2B: LGBT Lobbying and the BSA, Timeline of Events
1. BSA vs Curran
2. BSA vs. Dale
3. BSA vs. Pool and Geller
http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/ethics/discipline/pdf/court_action/01-AA-925.pdf
4. BSA vs. Wyman
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15086779738640199270&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr
4. BSA vs. Wyman
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15086779738640199270&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr
5. Petitioning Bradley D. Farmer
Boy Scouts of America: Reinstate Cub Scout leader who was removed for being gay:
6. Petitioned Randall Stephenson
CEO of AT&T: Urge the Boy Scouts to Drop Ban on Gay Leaders and Troops
7. 10 days after resolution passed:
8. When Will Boy Scouts Accept the Non-Religious?
9. Caterpillar Drops Boy Scout Support Over Gay Ban
10. FFRF runs ad challenging BSA ban on atheists
11. British scouts can drop God in alternative 'atheist' promise
http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/08/20868787-british-scouts-can-drop-god-in-alternative-atheist-promise?lite
Note that if BSA chooses to welcome atheists -- and from the looks of it they are headed in that direction, that will be directly against CCC 2123-2126.
Note that if BSA chooses to welcome atheists -- and from the looks of it they are headed in that direction, that will be directly against CCC 2123-2126.
PART 3: Bob McCarty, GSA, BSA, AHG, Trail Life History/Timeline:
1. Who is Bob McCarty and Why Should He Be Fired?
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/who-is-bob-mccarty-and-why-should-he-be-fired
2. The Catholic Church and the Girl Scouts: A Scandalous Mess:
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/cw/post.php?id=626
3. Girl Scouts of America and Planned Parenthood:
http://www.abbyjohnson.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/gs-pp-link.pdf
4. GSA Timeline 1998-2010
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kathyschiffer/2013/03/life-without-do-si-dos-it%E2%80%99s-time-to-say-goodbye-to-the-girl-scouts/
5. Is the Girl Scouts Safe for Catholic Girls? (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/is-the-girl-scouts-safe-for-catholic-girls
6. The History of American Heritage Girls
http://www.ahgonline.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=19406
7. Original BSA-AHG Memorandum of Mutual Support
http://www.ahgonline.org/uploads/MOMS_BSA_AHG_color.pdf
8. AHG Founder Patti Garibay on the BSA decision:
http://blog.ahgonline.org/2013/07/reflection-on-past-six-months.html
9. Dissolution of BSA-AHG Relationship:
http://www.ahgonline.org/uploads/AHG_PSforBSA_Statement.pdf
10. American Heritage Girls Join Faith-Based Boys Coalition (now known as Trail Life)
http://www.ahgonline.org/uploads/AHGjoinsFBBMay2013.pdf
11. Trail Life USA Board of Directors:
http://www.traillifeusa.com/who-we-are/board-directors/
Why Risk Evaluation and Analysis is Critical
History of Homosexual Abuse in Boy Scouts:
http://www.boyscoutssexualabuse.com/boy-scout-perversion-files/
Boy Scout Ineligible Volunteer Files:
http://www.kellyclarkattorney.com/files/
The BSA's Youth Protection Policy was put in place in 1987 because of these.
PART 4: The Catechism, Catholic Teaching + Current Catholic and Scientific Thought on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Attraction
1. CCC 1783-1785:
II. THE FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE
1783 Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.
1784 The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart.
1785 In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path,54 we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord's Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.55
Questions:
How do we expect "open and avowed homosexuals" to help with conscience formation of impressionable young boys?
How do we avoid subjecting Scouts to negative influences by allowing open and avowed homosexuals into a program that is supposed to help with the formation of young men?
How do we help boys and young men to not reject authoritative teaching while at the same time telling them that open and avowed homosexuality is okay? Where does it say in Scripture or the CCC that open and avowed homosexuality is true, good and beautiful?
How do we teach virtue in an environment where open and avowed homosexuality is considered acceptable and even presented as a norm?
2. CCC Article 9 The Ninth Commandment 2514-2533
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a9.htm
How exactly does the BSA policy change dovetail with all of the Church's teachings regarding purity, modesty, concupiscence, purification of the social climate, moral permissiveness?
3. LETTER TO THE BISHOPS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON THE PASTORAL CARE OF HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS
|
Explicit treatment of the problem was given in this Congregation's "Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics" of December 29, 1975. That document stressed the duty of trying to understand the homosexual condition and noted that culpability for homosexual acts should only be judged with prudence. At the same time the Congregation took note of the distinction commonly drawn between the homosexual condition or tendency and individual homosexual actions. These were described as deprived of their essential and indispensable finality, as being "intrinsically disordered", and able in no case to be approved of (cf. n. 8, $4).
In the discussion which followed the publication of the Declaration, however, an overly benign interpretation was given to the homosexual condition itself, some going so far as to call it neutral, or even good. Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder.
Therefore special concern and pastoral attention should be directed toward those who have this condition, lest they be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not.
4. Homosexuality and Hope from Catholic Medical Association published at Catholic Education Resource Center
5. CATHOLIC EDUCATION RESOURCE CENTER EXECUTIVE & ADVISORY BOARDS:
(includes people such as Karl Keating of Catholic Answers, Peter Kreeft, Ryan Anderson of The Witherspoon Institute and other Catholics that are well known for their faithfulness to the Magisterium and in defending the faith via apologetics)
http://www.catholiceducation.org/center/executive.html
6. "CMA's pamphlet Homosexuality & Hope: Questions and Answers About Same-Sex Attraction provides clear, sensitive, and updated advice to persons and families who are dealing with same-sex attraction."
The Catholic Medical Association's Pamphlet on Same-Sex Attraction (Excerpt) - published 2010
http://www.cathmed.org/issues_resources/publications/position_papers/homosexuality_and_hope/
7. http://www.cathmed.org/assets/files/H&H%202010%20Pages%20for%20Website.pdf
8. The Catholic Medical Association's Board of Directors:
http://cathmed.org/about/leadership/board/
9. Catholic Medical Association History:
http://cathmed.org/about/history/
10. Courage (A Roman Catholic Apostolate) endorsed by the Pontifical Council for the Family. JPII Quote: Courage is doing the work of God!
http://couragerc.net/
11. Homosexuality, Identity, and the Grace of Chastity (published September 2013, Catholic Education Resource Center)
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/sexuality/se0254.htm
Excerpt:
CWR: What are your thoughts on the recent decision by the Boy Scouts to allow openly homosexual scouts, but not leaders? How will this affect them and how should parents respond?
Father Check: My first concern is the boys who self-identify as "gay" or "homosexual." And the question is: why are they doing that? If we go back to our prior discussion about identity, the Church is reluctant to label people in this way, and I think we want to do anything we can to avoid encouragement of that label, particularly for adolescents. The teenage years are a period of discovery and adventure in a certain sense and a time of coming to know oneself. And that has to be guided properly so that self-entanglement doesn't take place. Many different things are happening at this age and it seems, at best, premature in that stage of development for someone to take a label for himself that is not reflective of his entire being.
There are a couple of Church documents — one is from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and the other is from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops — that address the question of identity. With regard to young people, those documents state that they should avoid the label and that they could receive the proper spiritual counseling as well as the help of a mental health professional who has a sound Christian anthropology in order to investigate why these feelings have arisen. Again, I think the reliable research indicates that same-sex attraction is a symptom of, or a response to, a kind of emotional wound or deficit. This wound could also be sexual abuse. There is very good data indicating that those with same-sex attraction are seven times more likely to have been the victims of sexual abuse than the population at large. Now, I must quickly say that not everybody who is a victim of sexual abuse winds up having a homosexual inclination — clearly that is not the case. However, that should be of interest to us because if a young person is self-identifying as having same-sex attraction, that may be, may be, an indication that there was an introduction into the very special and unique realm of sexual intimacy that was either forced or was entered into, clearly, unknowingly and unwillingly, because the emotional development of the person was not ready for such intimacy at that delicate age. A lot of that does happen, unfortunately, and can misshape someone's understanding of who he is.
12. FAMILIARIS CONSORTIO:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio_en.html
In view of the close links between the sexual dimension of the person and his or her ethical values, education must bring the children to a knowledge of and respect for the moral norms as the necessary and highly valuable guarantee for responsible personal growth in human sexuality.
For this reason the Church is firmly opposed to an often widespread form of imparting sex information dissociated from moral principles. That would merely be an introduction to the experience of pleasure and a stimulus leading to the loss of serenity-while still in the years of innocence-by opening the way to vice.
13. Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination
http://old.usccb.org/doctrine/Ministry.pdf
PART 5: Other Catholic and Christian Viewpoints:
1. “Coming out” puts adolescents at risk
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/coming_out_puts_adolescents_at_risk
2. First Things: A Label That Sticks
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2007/01/a-label-that-sticks-1
3. The Two Meanings of "Unjust Discrimination"
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7626
2. First Things: A Label That Sticks
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2007/01/a-label-that-sticks-1
3. The Two Meanings of "Unjust Discrimination"
http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7626
4. Catholic World Report: The Invisible Boy
http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Blog/2285/the_invisible_boy.aspx
The Boy Scouts of America have long ceased to speak the language of Christian or Jewish or solid old Roman virtue. There was only one reality that kept them reasonably sane when all the world around them had gone quite mad, and that was the boy. And now that one reality has been forgotten.
5. The Public Discourse: The Boy Scouts' Doomed Compromise
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2013/05/10237/
6. Human Life International's Truth and Charity Forum: A Cloudy Future for Catholic Boy Scouts:
http://www.truthandcharityforum.org/a-cloudy-future-for-catholic-boy-scouts/
The Boy Scouts of America tried to preserve their financial stability by making honor and virtue a matter of opinion. By tying their principles to the shifting sands of popular culture, the Boy Scouts have forfeited their credibility as a solid pillar of moral authority.
7. The Public Discourse: A Boy's Life With Unisex Scouts
http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2013/04/9970/
In other words, Luke’s father is being asked to enroll his son in a group specifically limited to boys, but one that does not recognize the nature of boyhood and its progress to manhood. Thus there is no real justification for the group; that its membership is male is accidental and not of the essence.
8. Crisis Magazine: Something Rotten in the Boy Scouts
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/something-rotten-in-the-boy-scouts
9. Dr. Gerard Nadal: Gay Scouting and the Death of Honor
http://gerardnadal.com/2013/05/23/gay-scouting-and-the-death-of-honor/
There will now be pressure to rewrite the program, such as the Family Life merit badge book to include gay and lesbian marriages, and here is where the new agenda will be shoved down the throats of every boy in scouting, especially as Family Life is a required merit badge for the rank of Eagle Scout.
10. Catholic Stand: The Boy Scouts: Newly "Out and Proud"
http://catholicstand.com/the-boy-scouts-newly-out-and-proud/
11. Katrina Fernandez: When The Boy Scouts is Boy in Gender Only and Not In Essence
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/thecrescat/2013/04/when-the-boy-scouts-is-boy-in-gender-only-and-not-in-essence.html
The Boy Scouts is such an attractive notion to parents of young men because it promised to provide that refuge, giving boys the opportunities they need to learn how to be men, to cultivate healthy male friendships, and to be learn to be comfortable with their boy-ness.12. Bruce Frohnen: What Is Normal? Culture Wars and the Boy Scouts
http://www.theimaginativeconservative.org/2013/05/what-is-normal-culture-wars-the-boy-scouts.html
No longer recognizing our duty to form children’s character to fit the norms of virtue, we instead see them as mere small adults, who need no special protections against adult society. Now even the Boy Scouts, for so many decades dedicated to forming virtuous young men, sees itself as just another organization for leisure activities, in which the sexual conduct of its members is to be taken as irrelevant. After all, does one have to be straight, or religious, to camp, or tie knots?
13. National Review Online: Catholic Statement on Proposed Change to Boy Scout Membership Policy
http://www.nationalreview.com/bench-memos/348401/catholic-statement-proposed-change-boy-scouts-membership-policy
14. Crisis Magazine | Author Robert Reilly: The Boy Scouts Cave In
http://www.crisismagazine.com/2013/the-boy-scouts-cave-in
… by announcing their proclivities publicly, “open” homosexuals are not only telling others that they have accepted themselves as active homosexuals; they are insisting that others accept them on that basis, as well. What otherwise would be the reason for openly declaring their sexual proclivities?15. Fr. Derek Lappe, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton, WA
http://starofthesea.net/index.php/our-parish/blog/626-fr-lappes-response-to-new-boy-scouts
Through no fault of their own, through the breakdown of families, through the failures of society at large young people can find themselves struggling with same-sex attraction. The question is, what is the best way to help them? How do we offer hope and healing?
The New Boy Scouts are basically offering a program of ratifying a label of “gay”, which the young man has placed on himself, and which so many elements of society also are happy to place on him.16. Fr. Robert Barron: Sympathy for the Devil:
http://www.realclearreligion.org/articles/2013/05/31/sympathy_for_the_devil.html
17. Prudent Compromise or Fatal Concession? Understanding the Risks of Changing Boy Scouts of America's Membership Policies (YouTube Video, Heritage Foundation Panel)
//a discussion of the proposed change in Scouting membership policies, why it has many deeply concerned, and why this change is not in the best interests of Scouting or its higher purposes of teaching, mentoring and building the character of America’s youth.//
http://www.heritage.org/events/2013/05/boy-scouts
18. Sitting on the Fence - Trail Life Oregon
http://www.traillifeoregon.com/?p=121
19. The Boy Scouts: A Threat to Religious Liberty?
http://blog.libertyinstitute.org/2013/02/the-boy-scouts-threat-to-religious.html
20. Letter from Rob Green, Chief Scout Executive, Palmetto Council
http://www.goupstate.com/assets/pdf/SJ2729663.PDF
