First of all, I'm truly sorry that you had a bad experience with scouting and that you haven't yet discovered God and girls. Second, where did you read this?
If gays are to be excluded from the BSA, then they must delete any references to:
James West, E. Urner Goodman, 'Green Bar' Bill, FDR (known as Bi) & B-P himself. Plus many of the incorporators & early benefactors. Prior to the mid 80s takeover by the religious right, there were Scouts & Scouters who were gay, non-religious, atheist/agnostic. They got along with the str8 & religious members. The BSA has forgotten that a Scout respects others...who are different from them.
@JPI280978 (cont.) As written by Baden-Powell, the Scout Law says nothing about religion. He considered that to be a private matter for the Scout & his family. The BSA is one of VERY few national scout organizations globally which inserts "reverent". They did this in 1911 to secure relations with the Catholic Church, which was initially their largest sponsor of units.
If Atheists aren't allowed in Boy Scouts, then it should not be allowed to be a factor for college acception. That is college descriminating against specific religious views. Does that seem fair?
Well, I'm glad I quit BS (bullshit or Boy Scouts) when I was 10.
You speak the truth brother! And to everyone else. Please don't hate as I earned something almost none of you have, an eagle on my chest and a silver medal around my neck.
I'm In scouts and it is far from an organization of hate. If you wanted to stay in, just treat it like a don't ask don't tell. I don't have to worry cuz I'm a heterosexual Christian but I'm not gonna push my views on you.
Being an atheist means he doesn't believe in any of your gods, including Satan and Yahweh. By saying "DEVIL BELIVER" you are claiming he isn't an atheist, which is not a position that is possible for you to make. When someone says they are an atheist, you don't get to say "No, you're not. You're a theist." since it makes no sense.
Even then, I find it ironic that you worship the most evil fictitious character ever created by man. I am more moral than your gods.
@DanRezler No that makes perfect sense, the best way to change an organisation is from within. If you had climbed to a high authority rank within the BSA you could slowly start to change views of the leaders. Obviously this isn't something a 14 year old would necessarily think of but that comment made sense.
The Boy Scouts are a clandestine terrorist group that drinks the blood of small children. They are truly hell knights - bringers of death to children.
@JimmyMacJones The BSA's primaery sin is that it will not be pushed around by politically correct hate campaigns like this one:their principles and constitutional rights can't be sneered away or threatened away or persecuted away-and to those who try, they reply pthffffft!
I am scoutmaster in the San Francisco Bay Area. I can not speak for the National BSA. I can only speak for myself and my troop. My Troop is not part of a Church, Temple or Mosque. As a 14 year old, a scout does not have the wisdom yet to know the existent God or not. The founder of Scouting, Robert Baden Powell wrote about the Church of Nature. A boy finds his spirituality in the trees he climbs,and lakes he swims and the rocks he throws, It about finding spirituality and seeking the unknown.
im an agnostic Eagle Scout and ive been hearing people trying to defend the BSA by saying you just cant become a "leader" if youre gay, agnostic, or atheist but this guy just proved him wrong. And i had to hold a leadership position to get Eagle anyway! It really makes me sad seeing an organization that does so much good be part of so much bigotry... BSA needs to own up to this.
I'm the father of a 14 year old Scout, but can't participate in troop activities because I'm agnostic and not willing to lie about my firmly held beliefs. Ironically, I'm also an Eagle Scout, but got that while still hanging out at a Methodist Church (and asking my Sunday school teachers lots of questions that seemed to make them uncomfortable :)
I was not aware that Scouting accepts so much government support. If that's the case, they ought to make some changes.
when I was scout in Chile, when didn't have internet awards, and I'm 23, and we are co-ed, and you don't have to believe in God to join but you have to respect and serve other people, to do ur best
take your promise with the knowledge that you do not promise to be faithful to a god you do not believe in. I have heard of girl guides being in guides without actually ever saying the promise, due to their athiesm and still being respected by their group and being functioning members.
But, as much as I support your general idea, it is based on a promise to three different things, yourself, your country, and your religion. I know in Canadian Scouts that many different religions are acceptable in that context, not just Christianity, and I assume if you were in a religion tolerant of homosexuality then it would be a non issue (especially because its a coed thing) however I'm assuming that your american promise includes a part to "your god or faith" and it would be ignorant to
BSA is very backwards thinking compared to other scout groups internationally especially on the gender thing. I'm a canadian (girl) who used to be in scouts, and live near the border, so we would often go to "brotherhood" camporees where Canadian and American Scout troops would mingle. The differences were quite notable. American troops can have corporate sponsorships, and get bossed around by men, whereas we always had a female leader who would bake us cake and we would chillout all weekend.
zomagosh. im an agnostic, and currently SPL of my troop. never knew that was not aloud. also, where did you hear about that paramilitary thing? from what i hear, BSA strongly denies any connection with the military. is there a website or such where i can find out about this (both the religious joining restrictions and the claim they
@TheTobyKing Unfortunately YouTube won't let me give you links but if you google "Explorers Program" which is a Boy Scouts Affiliate in military training along with "eagle scout military rank advancement". For the religious issue if you go to the scouting website scouting.org and use the search box for the term "Atheist" you will find what you need. I also encourage you to check the wikipedia page for Boy Scouts of America membership controversies.
@DanRezler The Explorers Program focuses on career field and can be sponsored government or businesses. This is in no way an "Affiliate in military training".
It is the military that sets standards for entry rank, not Boy Scouts. Much like having a College Degree sets you up for being an officer.
I'm a gay English scout leader. In English scouty law, although it is ok for gay people to join, it is still not ok for an atheist to become a leader. A large number of British are atheist and so this rule does often get blanked or mumbled over.
As for the gay thing,.. None of the parents or other leaders bat an eyelid and I won't lie to a child if they asked. Allthough gay is still used as an insult in the same way as retard is,.. Gay people are very much a part of British culture now.
To start, I was a boy scout, and I am gay and agnostic. Now, the fact that you decided to lie about your atheism, is your fault not the BSAs. I agree that the BSA should recieve no government subsidy and this muddies the waters morally, but they are still private. Also in practice the prohabitons are enforced selectivly. the organization is very decentralized and in my troop being gay or athiest...or both did not prevent anyone from being involved and this is hardly unique.
@DanRezler my homophobic discomfort has nothing to do with their segregation, I'm stating my personal opinion.
And I agree the government support is against the Constitution. I never said otherwise. But since they are also a private group, they can refuse anyone for any reason, which is supported by the Constitution. Its a win-lose situation, but the government can stop supporting at any time.
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Think about why they do what they do:
-no homosexuals because it's an ALL BOYS ORGANIZATION. I'd be uncomfortable too.
-no agnostics or atheists: because they take an oath and a pledge to GOD constantly. Taking that pledge to someone you dont believe in goes against the Scout Law of being trustworthy. I know Jews, buddhists, Hindus, all kinds of religions in it. But they all believe in some higher being that they can pledge to. That's the only reason. So before you go and say they "hate", find
@Mrshocklockman 1. Sorry if I don't find your homophobic discomfort a good argument for the segregation of a group of people.
2. Personally I don't think having a religion should be a required prerequisite to being a boy scout, and the fact that it's only Atheists and Agnostics who are left out is discriminatory, but legally that would be their right, but the problem here is that they receive government support, and that is a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution.
@DanRezler Here is a fun fact. A Scout is "Reverent", the final point, was NOT an orignal one. It was added about 5 years later. I'm a scout leader. I do not claim a religion. I am against homophobia. My troop and district go under the radar and allow ALL those who want to join, to join. Some of the best and wisest are those who are not allowed. I have been fighting this for awhile. The CAC in Indiana is listening but takes its orders from National who is far from listening.
There are a sizable number of people who are atheists and people who condone homosexuality in my troop. If it hadn't been for your shortsightedness and incompetence, you would have recognized the value in the program and become more than a fast-talking teenager who shifts positions in front of a camera while spewing incoherent, made up facts and statistics. Pity.
Hi. I'm writing to let you know how I like this video. Your presence on camera is excellent. You look good and sound good. The other thing that makes this an excellent video, beside the content, is the editing. The editing is fantastic. Good job and I hope you continue to get the word out about important issues.
Just because BSA is exclusionary of some folks doesn't mean they hate. I think they have a responsibility to protect their values. If you don't fit in, than maybe you should quit.
Sounds like you hate the BSA for not liking your values. A well meaning weasel is still a weasel.
@frogman56 Nobody is saying that the BSA should be forced to do anything-they are a private organization. But, since they do discriminate, they should not be allowed to have any public support from the government whatsoever. No money for the government, no help from the government, no help from the military, no help from public schools, nothing. The BSA should get no taxpayer money whatsoever. If they want to discriminate, then they can do it without government help
Feel your pain. I am an Eagle scout. Remember always cringing when asked to avow my faith in god. As an adult I finally accepted that I was an atheist. When I volunteered to be a leader for my sons cubscouts, I was honest about my lack of beliefs in fairy tales. I was quickly dismissed as unfit. However, another father who was an alchoholic and never reached the rank of Eagle was embraced with open arms.
Glad I didn't stay in the boy scouts because I'm a atheist & I hate when people oppress there religions on others and people who discriminate against homosexuals.
I had to take the Woodbadge training course four years ago, and there was a section dedicated to religion and Scout's Own. The instructor plainly stated that all atheists and non-Christians could not be a part of the Scouting Movement, and I definitely wanted to leave right then and there. I did a bit of research and was relieved to find out that Scouts Canada doesn't discriminate against atheists, people of other religions, homosexuals or females. I'm disappointed that BSA is still so hateful
i have the 1911 bsa handbook. the american boyscouts were made by sir general Baden E Powel. he was strongly agianst gays and since its his organization he can do what he wants. the entire bsa is founded on christian principles. i did find 1 thing humourous though. it says that sexual activity before marraige makes the male genitalia smaller... -_- but yup. i agree boyscouts are an organization of hate. haha my troop got kicked out of camp for not singing
I don't understand while people can't just accept that everyone is different and should be praised for finding themselves and being happy about who they are
I'm a Venture Scout; I just started my crew six months ago. While many of my friends are not atheist, I am. And while it is against BS policy, and I admire your dedication to your principles, I do not view that policy as the higher up's business and therefore do not let it affect me or anyone joining my crew. It kills me that people are turned away and do turn away from something that is super fun and great because of that policy, and I do intend to change that as I get older.
I'm from Canada and Scouts Canada doesn't have any of those rules. Not only can a scout be an atheist, gay, or agnostic, a scout can be a girl!! Like me :)
As a Christian, I think that atheism, agnosticism, and homosexuality is wrong. However, I don't think discriminating against them is right, at least not in this circumstance. If it were a religious organization, I could understand that rule (though I would still have to wonder why a religious organization wouldn't take advantage of the ministry oppourtunity having such members would offer). But BSA isn't religious... if it makes you feel better, I can't be a boy scout either!
Boy scouts was bigoted from the start, there is no justification for apartheid between boys and girls, providing single-gender social facilities set up men and women as if they are different species, with different rights and wildly different behaviours.
The 'boys this, girls that' attitude is a highly toxic one, why teach children that men have the right to do something and women don't? Or vice versa, that is poison, it could lead them to their very deaths.
My dad and little brother are REALLY in to BSA. I mean really, really into it. I see how it is a good organization but I must admit that I have always thought the obvious discrimination was disturbing. I've even gotten into fights with my dad over it. I do think you should know however that they have changed their rules a bit. Not much, but a bit. Agnostics are now allowed, they just need to say that they believe in some higher power. Doesn't make it right, just thought you should know.
@Ironbaseballacademy even if they are fun by the LDS then they shouldn't receive ANY money from the government or publicly funded entity (like public schools).
come out of the closet already bitch....you're flaming brighter than a fuckin roman candle!! bet a thousand bucks you're just a homo plant of the gay radical mafia....you get a perfect 10 for gayness, though!
If you don't like it then leave, but I'm pretty sure there is nothing wrong with being an agnostic or atheist in boyscouts. Also further more, if it is, then they should be allowed to do as they please. Is it harming anyone in any way to not be in boyscouts? I didn't do it and still turned out a mature young christian man without any fiascoes. And why do i have a feeling most of the flagged comments weren't for language but for actually posting their religous beleifs.
@AlexeiRomanov100 so you are condoning bigotry?? what if they were to say no blacks/chinese/immigrants allowed?? would you have a problem then?? I hope so!!
@AlexeiRomanov100 The thing is, that it's a public organization that goes against the laws of the Constitution, therefore making it illegal. That's the point. It's not about religion, its about segregation and discrimination based on a person's beliefs. THAT is his problem. Not religion.
@fizzylimon Morals are more often than not defined by a religous outlook. Yes atheist do have morals, i'm not saying that, the only major difference is a beleif in a higher power. Which is against a commandment. So in that sense, christians see atheist as having broken a commandment, lacking a moral, and therfore deem them immoral.
@owchihurtmyself It's a catholic school. What do you expect? They want to equip you with a religous faith. If you are not comfirmed in their eyes, they have failed, yu have failed, and essentially did not graduate. Religous schools focus on religion first then education.
Screw atheism or gayness. Your ability to teleport from left to right as you speak can easily get you labeled as a warlock or even worse, a satanist, which to some religious folk is just as bad as (if not worse than) atheism.
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Maybe Boy Scouts doesn't want atheists in because they don't want to be bullied for their beliefs. Boy scouts is a good place for kids who have faith in God to go without being bullied. As for gays, these boys are underage, they shouldn't be having sex yet. Especially with other boys...
@LoverOfJesus1971 atheists are the ones discriminated against!! atheists are the ones seen as the least trusted people in society, atheists are the ones the bible say you ought to kill, atheists (in america at least) cannot be openly so and expect to get into government/ presidency. so who are the group that is really being bullied here? not the religious i assure you!
@AlexeiRomanov100 Moses came down from the mountain saw the people worshipping the false idol thingy and whamo baby!!! Romans 1:24-27, Luke 12:47 & 19:26, mathew 11:21-24, leviticus 26.22, exodus 32:26 -27, 22:19, chronicles 15:12-13, deuteronomy 17:2-5, 17:12, 13:13-19. i think you will find you are wrong ;) perhaps you haven't read your bible??
@AlexeiRomanov100 FUNNY HOW SCREAMING AT PEOPLE IN ALL CAPS CAN FOG THEIR MIND SO THEY DON'T SEE IT WHEN YOU SWITCH THE WORDING FROM NON-BELIEVER TO NON-CHRISTIAN SO YOU CAN BE RIGHT. IT'S ALMOST MAGIC!
@y0nd3r Oh, so that's out only escape from constant harassment by atheist defenders of the materialist status quo. Why can't we have more than just church to escape bullying, threats, violence, etc? Are we not worthy?
@LoverOfJesus1971 No. The secular world is what is outside your church and your home. In the secular world are others. Other people, other beliefs. Nobody gets special treatment, especially when their beliefs are non-verifiable, non-provable. If you want respect for your person, you got it, but if you want respect for your beliefs, out of the question.
@LoverOfJesus1971 So what do you intend to do to those who reject your god? I'm not asking about hell, I know of that myth. I am asking how christian America (snort) intends to make us non-christians into christians. Because as long as there are non-christian with valid social security #'s showing they are indeed American, then it is not a christian America. Do you intend to somehow force us?
@LoverOfJesus1971 I really don't get this whole christian nation thing. Are christians really that seriously unaware that other people exist?? You know about buddhists, right? Did you think they are really just christians playing some buddhist game?
@y0nd3r Buddhists are not true americans. Their faith shouldn't get equal consideration as the one true one. Of course they exist, they're just silly and dumb.
"Buddhists are not true americans. Their faith shouldn't get equal consideration as the one true one. Of course they exist, they're just silly and dumb."
Your opinion is irrelevant. The only thing determine what is a true American is the supreme law of the land the U.S. Constitution.
The Constitution states in the first amendment.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;(...)"
"Too bad this isn't a secular nation, but a Christian one."
Where is your support that the U.S. is a Christian nation? The Constitution of the U.S. the supreme law of the land makes no mention of Christianity let alone any religious group as the official religion.
As a matter of fact the constituion goes great pains to make sure religion is not a fact in the government itself.
Well done my friend. I truly admire you taking the moral high ground. Here in the UK I recall one story of a child being refused to join the cubs because he came from a Buddhist family and another of a boy being thrown out of the scouts just because his family were active anti-nuclear protestors. Myself I was thrown out of the cubs when I was a child for refusing to pledge allegiance to the queen.
Well stated sir. For the same reasons as you, I quit soon after I became an Eagle Scout. This became a hot button issue right about that time.
I hated leaving such a great organization, but wasn't about to lie about my religious beliefs. Luckily my parents took it well and understood my conviction if not my beliefs.
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country." Kind of hard to take the oath if you're an atheist.
Sorry you had a rough experience. You can exclude people without hating them. I think it is up to the govn't who you do have some sort of control over to stop funding the organization. Talk to your representative. You can't make BSA change but you can ask your congressman to stop funding them.
Well, I can understand why Atheists wouldn't be allowed (Note: I said UNDERSTAND, not AGREE), because part of the Scout Oath and Law have always included a belief in God, and it is the programs belief that everyone should believe in a higher power, but I will never understand why Agnostics and gays aren't allowed. Never.
This is interesting. I'm going to look for any lawsuits filed against the BSA for this, and I am going to try and learn more about it. If there aren't many, maybe there should be.
Well said Dan! Bravo! Perhaps "Scouting for all" would be a better, more inclusive organization for those that fall out of grace with the BSA. Just Google "Scouting for all"
You sir, are brilliant. It's so refreshing to see people standing up for their beliefs. Thank you, and I'm sorry you had to do that. you shouldn't have had to
Oh, and pastrytroll...the religious badge isn't part of BSA. They are separately offered by religious organizations through scouting, but not endorsed. Your son's leader was an ass.
@TheMultimomma I think that - and I need to talk to my son about this, they told him he could either have a religion badge or a letter of support from his priest or minister - and he/we didn't have one. It was the only trooop in town, and we never though it wasn't a rule.
Like zarathrustra, our troop is pretty open. One question, what page of your handbook says no gays or atheists? Ours doesn't say that at all, and has several pages that specifically state to be open to differing beliefs and ways of showing reverence. TIA for the info.
excellent video Dan also posted at the Atheist Alliance Int. FB page the Secular Students of America FB page the Atheist Scouting FB page and the Secular Coalition of America FB page ...peace out-
This is certainly not true for all of the troops in the BSA... I would venture to say a good quarter of the people in my troop are atheist. We even have someone who is pretty much openly homosexual...
I have vaguely heard these things are discriminated against in the BSA, but I have never heard anything official, and I have certainly never seen any of it enforced!
If they have not moved away from it already, the BSA is defiantly on the path to becoming more liberal in these areas.
My son dropped out just before going for his Eagle: he choked on the 'religion' badge, told his scoutmaster, and the guys said "aw kid, just fake it like all the other guys" he didn't, and I couldn't have been pouder. Love your point about the hate, and the three G's: girls, godless and gays.
There is absolutely nothing stating that anyone needs the religious badges... no one in my entire troop has one. Hell, we don't even have a chaplain! Was it some sort of peer pressure thing in your troop?
There is absolutely nothing stating that anyone needs the religious badges... no one in my entire troop has one. Hell, we dont even have a chaplain! Was it some sort of peer-pressure thing in your troop?
@pastrytroll Religious badge, no such thing, there is a religious emblem, but it's optional. Yes some troops are religion based, LDS or Catholic, then find another troop. Plenty of them around.
My son dropped out just before going for his Eagle: he choked on the 'religion' badge, told his scoutmaster, and the guys said "aw kid, just fake it like all the other guys" he didn't, and I couldn't have been pouder. Love your point about the hate, and the three G's: girls, godless and gays.
Great video! Great points! And I'm so glad the Girl Scouts of the USA does NOT have these policies - people who are gay, are atheist, or are agnostic are welcomed to join as volunteers or troop members.
I strongly agree with the message of this video. I am Eagle Scout, an Atheist, and a strong proponent of LGBT rights. And for the past few years I have been appalled with the BSA's policy of discrimination against gays, Atheists, and Agnostics.
Wait, you quit Boyscouts because you didn't wanna lie about who you were... but you couldn't tell your parents why because you were lying to them about who you were?
@lovepirate14 Exactly. You can't lie or just simply never bring it up to an organization that does service work, but lied to your parents and probably suffered more because of it.
First of all, I'm truly sorry that you had a bad experience with scouting and that you haven't yet discovered God and girls. Second, where did you read this?
JohnopherRowe 1 week ago
If gays are to be excluded from the BSA, then they must delete any references to:
James West, E. Urner Goodman, 'Green Bar' Bill, FDR (known as Bi) & B-P himself. Plus many of the incorporators & early benefactors. Prior to the mid 80s takeover by the religious right, there were Scouts & Scouters who were gay, non-religious, atheist/agnostic. They got along with the str8 & religious members. The BSA has forgotten that a Scout respects others...who are different from them.
JPI280978 3 weeks ago
@JPI280978 (cont.) As written by Baden-Powell, the Scout Law says nothing about religion. He considered that to be a private matter for the Scout & his family. The BSA is one of VERY few national scout organizations globally which inserts "reverent". They did this in 1911 to secure relations with the Catholic Church, which was initially their largest sponsor of units.
JPI280978 3 weeks ago
Im a tenderfoot.
I love BSA.
I freaking hate these rules.
Its complete bullshit.
Im amd at BSA now
BananaTofuGaming 3 weeks ago
BSA stands for morality if you dont like it leave. Start your own boy scouts
cwood4ever 3 weeks ago
i didn't know that, mainly becuse im athiest, fairly open about it, and nobody in the BSA has said anything about it.
PopArtStudios1 3 weeks ago
If Atheists aren't allowed in Boy Scouts, then it should not be allowed to be a factor for college acception. That is college descriminating against specific religious views. Does that seem fair?
Well, I'm glad I quit BS (bullshit or Boy Scouts) when I was 10.
TheKCure 1 month ago
You speak the truth brother! And to everyone else. Please don't hate as I earned something almost none of you have, an eagle on my chest and a silver medal around my neck.
paintballNERD360 1 month ago
I'm In scouts and it is far from an organization of hate. If you wanted to stay in, just treat it like a don't ask don't tell. I don't have to worry cuz I'm a heterosexual Christian but I'm not gonna push my views on you.
Saman921 1 month ago
DEVIL BELIVER!!!!!!!!
gonzojosiah90 1 month ago
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@gonzojosiah90
Being an atheist means he doesn't believe in any of your gods, including Satan and Yahweh. By saying "DEVIL BELIVER" you are claiming he isn't an atheist, which is not a position that is possible for you to make. When someone says they are an atheist, you don't get to say "No, you're not. You're a theist." since it makes no sense.
Even then, I find it ironic that you worship the most evil fictitious character ever created by man. I am more moral than your gods.
bayouboyy 1 month ago
@gonzojosiah90 Please tell me you're trolling, or at least making a pretty lame attempt. ಠ_ಠ
Miepieish 1 month ago
This man once offered to make me Eggs in a Basket because I was sick. I kid you not!
kesambers 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Dan, you always give one of the most entertaining and thought provoking speeches with style. I don't know why your view count isn't any higher.
mkim1224 1 month ago
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mkim1224 1 month ago
You are daft. Daft I say. You should have kept your mouth shut and climbed the ranks.
JimmyMacJones 1 month ago
@JimmyMacJones
Excellent use of daft.
Poor use of logic.
DanRezler 1 month ago 17
@DanRezler No that makes perfect sense, the best way to change an organisation is from within. If you had climbed to a high authority rank within the BSA you could slowly start to change views of the leaders. Obviously this isn't something a 14 year old would necessarily think of but that comment made sense.
Thatcooltroll 1 week ago
The Boy Scouts are a clandestine terrorist group that drinks the blood of small children. They are truly hell knights - bringers of death to children.
mattfortier25 5 days ago
@JimmyMacJones The BSA's primaery sin is that it will not be pushed around by politically correct hate campaigns like this one:their principles and constitutional rights can't be sneered away or threatened away or persecuted away-and to those who try, they reply pthffffft!
rigamarrow 1 day ago
I am scoutmaster in the San Francisco Bay Area. I can not speak for the National BSA. I can only speak for myself and my troop. My Troop is not part of a Church, Temple or Mosque. As a 14 year old, a scout does not have the wisdom yet to know the existent God or not. The founder of Scouting, Robert Baden Powell wrote about the Church of Nature. A boy finds his spirituality in the trees he climbs,and lakes he swims and the rocks he throws, It about finding spirituality and seeking the unknown.
picturesonradio 1 month ago in playlist Uploaded videos
that is not true because i talk to the ceo of the boy scouts so thanks
kaistorvick 1 month ago
im an agnostic Eagle Scout and ive been hearing people trying to defend the BSA by saying you just cant become a "leader" if youre gay, agnostic, or atheist but this guy just proved him wrong. And i had to hold a leadership position to get Eagle anyway! It really makes me sad seeing an organization that does so much good be part of so much bigotry... BSA needs to own up to this.
oreo613 1 month ago
Nicely done video.
I'm the father of a 14 year old Scout, but can't participate in troop activities because I'm agnostic and not willing to lie about my firmly held beliefs. Ironically, I'm also an Eagle Scout, but got that while still hanging out at a Methodist Church (and asking my Sunday school teachers lots of questions that seemed to make them uncomfortable :)
I was not aware that Scouting accepts so much government support. If that's the case, they ought to make some changes.
ericynot 1 month ago
This guy is very vlog brotheresque which is a VERY good thing. :D
Leadman1989 1 month ago
when I was scout in Chile, when didn't have internet awards, and I'm 23, and we are co-ed, and you don't have to believe in God to join but you have to respect and serve other people, to do ur best
luiz19169 1 month ago
take your promise with the knowledge that you do not promise to be faithful to a god you do not believe in. I have heard of girl guides being in guides without actually ever saying the promise, due to their athiesm and still being respected by their group and being functioning members.
xxchalkie 2 months ago
But, as much as I support your general idea, it is based on a promise to three different things, yourself, your country, and your religion. I know in Canadian Scouts that many different religions are acceptable in that context, not just Christianity, and I assume if you were in a religion tolerant of homosexuality then it would be a non issue (especially because its a coed thing) however I'm assuming that your american promise includes a part to "your god or faith" and it would be ignorant to
xxchalkie 2 months ago
BSA is very backwards thinking compared to other scout groups internationally especially on the gender thing. I'm a canadian (girl) who used to be in scouts, and live near the border, so we would often go to "brotherhood" camporees where Canadian and American Scout troops would mingle. The differences were quite notable. American troops can have corporate sponsorships, and get bossed around by men, whereas we always had a female leader who would bake us cake and we would chillout all weekend.
xxchalkie 2 months ago
zomagosh. im an agnostic, and currently SPL of my troop. never knew that was not aloud. also, where did you hear about that paramilitary thing? from what i hear, BSA strongly denies any connection with the military. is there a website or such where i can find out about this (both the religious joining restrictions and the claim they
are paramilitary)? thanks a lot!
TheTobyKing 2 months ago
@TheTobyKing Unfortunately YouTube won't let me give you links but if you google "Explorers Program" which is a Boy Scouts Affiliate in military training along with "eagle scout military rank advancement". For the religious issue if you go to the scouting website scouting.org and use the search box for the term "Atheist" you will find what you need. I also encourage you to check the wikipedia page for Boy Scouts of America membership controversies.
DanRezler 2 months ago
@DanRezler OK, thanks a lot!
TheTobyKing 2 months ago
@DanRezler The Explorers Program focuses on career field and can be sponsored government or businesses. This is in no way an "Affiliate in military training".
It is the military that sets standards for entry rank, not Boy Scouts. Much like having a College Degree sets you up for being an officer.
TechTempest 3 weeks ago
I'm a gay English scout leader. In English scouty law, although it is ok for gay people to join, it is still not ok for an atheist to become a leader. A large number of British are atheist and so this rule does often get blanked or mumbled over.
As for the gay thing,.. None of the parents or other leaders bat an eyelid and I won't lie to a child if they asked. Allthough gay is still used as an insult in the same way as retard is,.. Gay people are very much a part of British culture now.
sirhcuk 2 months ago
Woah... You talk fast... O.o
stevemartin14 2 months ago
the best part is seeing how defensive they all are in the comments :o)
knowahsark 2 months ago
@knowahsark Because Scouts has never hid the fact that it is a religious organization, it is in the promise that you would likely be reciting often.
xxchalkie 2 months ago
"I am the way an the truth and the life. Nobody comes to the Father except through me."
RecedingBubbles 2 months ago
I'm so glad that in england they are so much less discriminatory about this stuff. Even within scouts.
Lucykbee 2 months ago
Its a private organization and if you don't like it then walk out
Iamdanielg 3 months ago
To start, I was a boy scout, and I am gay and agnostic. Now, the fact that you decided to lie about your atheism, is your fault not the BSAs. I agree that the BSA should recieve no government subsidy and this muddies the waters morally, but they are still private. Also in practice the prohabitons are enforced selectivly. the organization is very decentralized and in my troop being gay or athiest...or both did not prevent anyone from being involved and this is hardly unique.
lengthyounarther 3 months ago
@DanRezler- I didn't expect a reply, but thank you for recognizing my eloquence.
therealcapitalist 3 months ago
@DanRezler my homophobic discomfort has nothing to do with their segregation, I'm stating my personal opinion.
And I agree the government support is against the Constitution. I never said otherwise. But since they are also a private group, they can refuse anyone for any reason, which is supported by the Constitution. Its a win-lose situation, but the government can stop supporting at any time.
Mrshocklockman 3 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Think about why they do what they do:
-no homosexuals because it's an ALL BOYS ORGANIZATION. I'd be uncomfortable too.
-no agnostics or atheists: because they take an oath and a pledge to GOD constantly. Taking that pledge to someone you dont believe in goes against the Scout Law of being trustworthy. I know Jews, buddhists, Hindus, all kinds of religions in it. But they all believe in some higher being that they can pledge to. That's the only reason. So before you go and say they "hate", find
Mrshocklockman 3 months ago
@Mrshocklockman 1. Sorry if I don't find your homophobic discomfort a good argument for the segregation of a group of people.
2. Personally I don't think having a religion should be a required prerequisite to being a boy scout, and the fact that it's only Atheists and Agnostics who are left out is discriminatory, but legally that would be their right, but the problem here is that they receive government support, and that is a violation of the establishment clause of the Constitution.
DanRezler 3 months ago 20
@DanRezler Here is a fun fact. A Scout is "Reverent", the final point, was NOT an orignal one. It was added about 5 years later. I'm a scout leader. I do not claim a religion. I am against homophobia. My troop and district go under the radar and allow ALL those who want to join, to join. Some of the best and wisest are those who are not allowed. I have been fighting this for awhile. The CAC in Indiana is listening but takes its orders from National who is far from listening.
Gogeaton 2 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@DanRezler- Wow, you're such a retarded faggot.
therealcapitalist 3 months ago
@therealcapitalist You know I never really thought about it like that. You put it so eloquently.
DanRezler 3 months ago 33
I'm a boy scout & I fuckin hate it... I'm only in it cuz my dad makes me. All the leaders are dicks & they're probly gay
The4x4truckerman 3 months ago
There are a sizable number of people who are atheists and people who condone homosexuality in my troop. If it hadn't been for your shortsightedness and incompetence, you would have recognized the value in the program and become more than a fast-talking teenager who shifts positions in front of a camera while spewing incoherent, made up facts and statistics. Pity.
dthomas9444 3 months ago
Comment removed
dthomas9444 3 months ago
Hi. I'm writing to let you know how I like this video. Your presence on camera is excellent. You look good and sound good. The other thing that makes this an excellent video, beside the content, is the editing. The editing is fantastic. Good job and I hope you continue to get the word out about important issues.
mikecoruscant 3 months ago
Just because BSA is exclusionary of some folks doesn't mean they hate. I think they have a responsibility to protect their values. If you don't fit in, than maybe you should quit.
Sounds like you hate the BSA for not liking your values. A well meaning weasel is still a weasel.
Look in the mirror, dude. enough hate already.
frogman56 4 months ago
@frogman56 Nobody is saying that the BSA should be forced to do anything-they are a private organization. But, since they do discriminate, they should not be allowed to have any public support from the government whatsoever. No money for the government, no help from the government, no help from the military, no help from public schools, nothing. The BSA should get no taxpayer money whatsoever. If they want to discriminate, then they can do it without government help
PeachesNPlumz 4 months ago
Lol Boy scouts... :)
Christian7thSF 4 months ago
Interestingly, Col. Baden-Powell, who started the scouting movement, is speculated to have been homosexual.
enamabam7 4 months ago
Liberals lol
TheZachmaster 4 months ago
Feel your pain. I am an Eagle scout. Remember always cringing when asked to avow my faith in god. As an adult I finally accepted that I was an atheist. When I volunteered to be a leader for my sons cubscouts, I was honest about my lack of beliefs in fairy tales. I was quickly dismissed as unfit. However, another father who was an alchoholic and never reached the rank of Eagle was embraced with open arms.
markleyg 4 months ago 4
Glad I didn't stay in the boy scouts because I'm a atheist & I hate when people oppress there religions on others and people who discriminate against homosexuals.
itwasthebutler 4 months ago
Because homosexuals, atheists, and other people can change the views of younger scouts, like me. I not discriminating but that's how I feel.
skiboy184 4 months ago
You are one fantastic person, Dan Rezler.
oneadbekunkus 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
You would be really good at making a documentary.
thecooldoctor 4 months ago
Do the same rules apply for the Girls Scouts?
expectopatrobot 4 months ago
@expectopatrobot
no
help4343 4 months ago
@expectopatrobot no, they accept lesbians and support abortion.
sppsschoolkid 4 months ago
@sppsschoolkid Thanks! I got kinda scared there for a minute.
expectopatrobot 4 months ago
@expectopatrobot your welcome anything about girl scouts or boy scouts i'm the guy to come to.
sppsschoolkid 4 months ago
You have some of these staunch politicians who want to use the boy scouts as a type of hitler youth.
lurconis666 5 months ago
Make more videos like this! :)
Ph1zzaPwns 5 months ago
wow never knew this!!! Is it the same with girl guides??
sazcrom 5 months ago
Comment removed
chokolux 5 months ago
I had to take the Woodbadge training course four years ago, and there was a section dedicated to religion and Scout's Own. The instructor plainly stated that all atheists and non-Christians could not be a part of the Scouting Movement, and I definitely wanted to leave right then and there. I did a bit of research and was relieved to find out that Scouts Canada doesn't discriminate against atheists, people of other religions, homosexuals or females. I'm disappointed that BSA is still so hateful
chokolux 5 months ago 2
i have the 1911 bsa handbook. the american boyscouts were made by sir general Baden E Powel. he was strongly agianst gays and since its his organization he can do what he wants. the entire bsa is founded on christian principles. i did find 1 thing humourous though. it says that sexual activity before marraige makes the male genitalia smaller... -_- but yup. i agree boyscouts are an organization of hate. haha my troop got kicked out of camp for not singing
champjb25 5 months ago
Heh! Complain all you want, YOU chose to be atheist, YOU chose to quit because of it.
The Boy Scouts of America can follow any policy that it wants.
therealcapitalist 5 months ago
@therealcapitalist An*
mechuser23 5 months ago in playlist Liked
I don't understand while people can't just accept that everyone is different and should be praised for finding themselves and being happy about who they are
MsHamster15 5 months ago
Heh, we had a homosexual in our group... He came out two years after he earned his eagle.
ApatheticOmniscience 5 months ago
I'm a Venture Scout; I just started my crew six months ago. While many of my friends are not atheist, I am. And while it is against BS policy, and I admire your dedication to your principles, I do not view that policy as the higher up's business and therefore do not let it affect me or anyone joining my crew. It kills me that people are turned away and do turn away from something that is super fun and great because of that policy, and I do intend to change that as I get older.
Vermontismyname 5 months ago
if you are not in the bsa then remove your uniform and stop degrading us
Kalkas53 5 months ago
I'm from Canada and Scouts Canada doesn't have any of those rules. Not only can a scout be an atheist, gay, or agnostic, a scout can be a girl!! Like me :)
volubleperspicacious 5 months ago
As a Christian, I think that atheism, agnosticism, and homosexuality is wrong. However, I don't think discriminating against them is right, at least not in this circumstance. If it were a religious organization, I could understand that rule (though I would still have to wonder why a religious organization wouldn't take advantage of the ministry oppourtunity having such members would offer). But BSA isn't religious... if it makes you feel better, I can't be a boy scout either!
PuddleOfWaterBASS 5 months ago
@hylareca Good point, I guess I was sort of using the FTBA as one words, instead the initialism.
meaganpucksuzy 5 months ago
gayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
mzangen 5 months ago
This is why I want my children, if I have any, to join campfire USA rather than Boy or Girl scouts.
HeckYeahImShort 5 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Who is this qeer trying to kid.
29304801 5 months ago
Boy scouts was bigoted from the start, there is no justification for apartheid between boys and girls, providing single-gender social facilities set up men and women as if they are different species, with different rights and wildly different behaviours.
The 'boys this, girls that' attitude is a highly toxic one, why teach children that men have the right to do something and women don't? Or vice versa, that is poison, it could lead them to their very deaths.
MissMysterics 5 months ago 20
My dad and little brother are REALLY in to BSA. I mean really, really into it. I see how it is a good organization but I must admit that I have always thought the obvious discrimination was disturbing. I've even gotten into fights with my dad over it. I do think you should know however that they have changed their rules a bit. Not much, but a bit. Agnostics are now allowed, they just need to say that they believe in some higher power. Doesn't make it right, just thought you should know.
PrettyGeekyVideos 5 months ago
wow, i didn't know this. thanks for the info. the boy scouts definitely no longer have my support.
iheartchambood 5 months ago
20,000 views? Holy crap wow!
godsteeth1911 5 months ago 9
Yay, you won the Lonely Planet contest! :D
And you are such an awesome person for sticking to your morals (I know there's a better word for that, but I can't think of it).
ConfidencePants 5 months ago 2
Do you realize that the boyscouts are very similar to the Hitler Youth, just saying.
naturalistmind 5 months ago
@Ironbaseballacademy even if they are fun by the LDS then they shouldn't receive ANY money from the government or publicly funded entity (like public schools).
Separation of church and state much?
kgritter85 5 months ago 2
Yeah. It starts out as fun little games and activities, then the more you get into it the heavier the rhetoric and that whole pre military vibe gets.
nvc607 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
come out of the closet already bitch....you're flaming brighter than a fuckin roman candle!! bet a thousand bucks you're just a homo plant of the gay radical mafia....you get a perfect 10 for gayness, though!
jnizzlep 5 months ago
Dan. I love you. Truly.
clichegirl15 5 months ago
Doesn't someone have to be the most discriminatory group? There isn't ever going to be no discrimination. Not anytime soon anyways.
njb570 5 months ago
If you don't like it then leave, but I'm pretty sure there is nothing wrong with being an agnostic or atheist in boyscouts. Also further more, if it is, then they should be allowed to do as they please. Is it harming anyone in any way to not be in boyscouts? I didn't do it and still turned out a mature young christian man without any fiascoes. And why do i have a feeling most of the flagged comments weren't for language but for actually posting their religous beleifs.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
@AlexeiRomanov100
You-tubers just seem to be a bit knee-jerk liberal like that... nothing that's not expected :)
TheZarathustra42 5 months ago
@AlexeiRomanov100 so you are condoning bigotry?? what if they were to say no blacks/chinese/immigrants allowed?? would you have a problem then?? I hope so!!
jjcrazi 5 months ago
@AlexeiRomanov100 The thing is, that it's a public organization that goes against the laws of the Constitution, therefore making it illegal. That's the point. It's not about religion, its about segregation and discrimination based on a person's beliefs. THAT is his problem. Not religion.
someone332 5 months ago
@fizzylimon Morals are more often than not defined by a religous outlook. Yes atheist do have morals, i'm not saying that, the only major difference is a beleif in a higher power. Which is against a commandment. So in that sense, christians see atheist as having broken a commandment, lacking a moral, and therfore deem them immoral.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
@owchihurtmyself It's a catholic school. What do you expect? They want to equip you with a religous faith. If you are not comfirmed in their eyes, they have failed, yu have failed, and essentially did not graduate. Religous schools focus on religion first then education.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
@dylanparker72 Atheism is not a religion. It is a decision to not participate in any religion. A lack of religion does not equal religion.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
You, sir (I mean that in the least sir-yes-sir BSA-for-hate way possible), are a paragon of reason and fairness. I salute you, man.
AldenHardaway 5 months ago
Woah, dude. You're not homosexual?!
Imbitingmytongue 5 months ago
im an atheist openly and no one fucking cared
BuffloBuffloBufflo 5 months ago
Screw atheism or gayness. Your ability to teleport from left to right as you speak can easily get you labeled as a warlock or even worse, a satanist, which to some religious folk is just as bad as (if not worse than) atheism.
ZeerosFate 5 months ago 85
you edited this wrong I thought you are Gay I still do Stop and tell the truth We the viewers of this video know you are Gay
bigoxtailbone2 5 months ago
Gay
bigoxtailbone2 5 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Maybe Boy Scouts doesn't want atheists in because they don't want to be bullied for their beliefs. Boy scouts is a good place for kids who have faith in God to go without being bullied. As for gays, these boys are underage, they shouldn't be having sex yet. Especially with other boys...
LoverOfJesus1971 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 atheists are the ones discriminated against!! atheists are the ones seen as the least trusted people in society, atheists are the ones the bible say you ought to kill, atheists (in america at least) cannot be openly so and expect to get into government/ presidency. so who are the group that is really being bullied here? not the religious i assure you!
jjcrazi 5 months ago 2
@jjcrazi NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE DOES IT SAY TO KILL NON_CHRISTIANS! ABSOLUTELY NOWHERE!
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
@AlexeiRomanov100 Moses came down from the mountain saw the people worshipping the false idol thingy and whamo baby!!! Romans 1:24-27, Luke 12:47 & 19:26, mathew 11:21-24, leviticus 26.22, exodus 32:26 -27, 22:19, chronicles 15:12-13, deuteronomy 17:2-5, 17:12, 13:13-19. i think you will find you are wrong ;) perhaps you haven't read your bible??
jjcrazi 5 months ago
@AlexeiRomanov100 FUNNY HOW SCREAMING AT PEOPLE IN ALL CAPS CAN FOG THEIR MIND SO THEY DON'T SEE IT WHEN YOU SWITCH THE WORDING FROM NON-BELIEVER TO NON-CHRISTIAN SO YOU CAN BE RIGHT. IT'S ALMOST MAGIC!
y0nd3r 5 months ago
@y0nd3r I'm still awaiting his reply ;)
jjcrazi 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 Uh..noo, church is a place for kids to go and not be bullied for their faith. Any other place belongs to everyone.
y0nd3r 5 months ago
@y0nd3r Oh, so that's out only escape from constant harassment by atheist defenders of the materialist status quo. Why can't we have more than just church to escape bullying, threats, violence, etc? Are we not worthy?
LoverOfJesus1971 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 No. The secular world is what is outside your church and your home. In the secular world are others. Other people, other beliefs. Nobody gets special treatment, especially when their beliefs are non-verifiable, non-provable. If you want respect for your person, you got it, but if you want respect for your beliefs, out of the question.
y0nd3r 5 months ago
@y0nd3r Too bad this isn't a secular nation, but a Christian one.
LoverOfJesus1971 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 So what do you intend to do to those who reject your god? I'm not asking about hell, I know of that myth. I am asking how christian America (snort) intends to make us non-christians into christians. Because as long as there are non-christian with valid social security #'s showing they are indeed American, then it is not a christian America. Do you intend to somehow force us?
y0nd3r 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 I really don't get this whole christian nation thing. Are christians really that seriously unaware that other people exist?? You know about buddhists, right? Did you think they are really just christians playing some buddhist game?
y0nd3r 5 months ago
@y0nd3r Buddhists are not true americans. Their faith shouldn't get equal consideration as the one true one. Of course they exist, they're just silly and dumb.
LoverOfJesus1971 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 fuck. you.
MadelineAllTimeLow 5 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971 Do you not know the bill of rights...? "freedom of religion".....Just thought i would say that.
AnyaEmber13 4 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971
"Buddhists are not true americans. Their faith shouldn't get equal consideration as the one true one. Of course they exist, they're just silly and dumb."
Your opinion is irrelevant. The only thing determine what is a true American is the supreme law of the land the U.S. Constitution.
The Constitution states in the first amendment.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;(...)"
So can be true Americans.
GuardianoftheSource 3 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971
"Too bad this isn't a secular nation, but a Christian one."
Where is your support that the U.S. is a Christian nation? The Constitution of the U.S. the supreme law of the land makes no mention of Christianity let alone any religious group as the official religion.
As a matter of fact the constituion goes great pains to make sure religion is not a fact in the government itself.
Article VI, paragraph 3
The no religious test clause.
First amendment
No religion may be respected
GuardianoftheSource 3 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971
"McCollum v. Board of Education Dist. 71, 333 U.S. 203 (1948)
Burstyn v. Wilson, 72 S. Ct. 777 (1952)
Torcaso v. Watkins, 367 U.S. 488 (1961)
Engel v. Vitale, 82 S. Ct. 1261 (1962)
Abington School District v. Schempp, 374 U.S. 203 (1963)
Epperson v. Arkansas, 89 S. Ct. 266 (1968)
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 91 S. Ct. 2105 (1971)
Stone v. Graham, 449 U.S. 39 (1980)"
Are numerous cases where the supreme court has ruled in favor of separating faith from influencing gov policy.
GuardianoftheSource 3 months ago
@LoverOfJesus1971
Well, you dont have to have had sex to be gay. I mean, you dont have to had sex to be straight :p
thesweadishfreak 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This guy will be doing gay porn within 2 years. He'll make a fortune off the gays with that Boy Scout uniform.
penn707 5 months ago
BSA - Bull Shitters of America.
Watch Penn & Tellers BULLSHIT on Boys Scouts of America it's very interesting...
Velvetroomdj 5 months ago
Well done my friend. I truly admire you taking the moral high ground. Here in the UK I recall one story of a child being refused to join the cubs because he came from a Buddhist family and another of a boy being thrown out of the scouts just because his family were active anti-nuclear protestors. Myself I was thrown out of the cubs when I was a child for refusing to pledge allegiance to the queen.
ThomasTrue 5 months ago 5
Well stated sir. For the same reasons as you, I quit soon after I became an Eagle Scout. This became a hot button issue right about that time.
I hated leaving such a great organization, but wasn't about to lie about my religious beliefs. Luckily my parents took it well and understood my conviction if not my beliefs.
Thank you for a wonderful video.
GoodGustav 5 months ago
"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my Country." Kind of hard to take the oath if you're an atheist.
Sorry you had a rough experience. You can exclude people without hating them. I think it is up to the govn't who you do have some sort of control over to stop funding the organization. Talk to your representative. You can't make BSA change but you can ask your congressman to stop funding them.
micahstubz 5 months ago
Well, I can understand why Atheists wouldn't be allowed (Note: I said UNDERSTAND, not AGREE), because part of the Scout Oath and Law have always included a belief in God, and it is the programs belief that everyone should believe in a higher power, but I will never understand why Agnostics and gays aren't allowed. Never.
TheHarlequinHatter 5 months ago
I just have one question: Why did I find this video under the pets & animals section when it has nothing to do with pets or animals?
AwohaliSagwu 5 months ago
@AwohaliSagwu He tagged it. watch his last video.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
This is interesting. I'm going to look for any lawsuits filed against the BSA for this, and I am going to try and learn more about it. If there aren't many, maybe there should be.
jag519 5 months ago
Great video Dan. I'm not ready to turn in my Eagle Scout badge, but I am thoroughly disgusted.
tuck5649 5 months ago
Well said Dan! Bravo! Perhaps "Scouting for all" would be a better, more inclusive organization for those that fall out of grace with the BSA. Just Google "Scouting for all"
BubbaZanetti89 5 months ago
AH-MAZ-ING!
charcharbinx 5 months ago
You sir, are brilliant. It's so refreshing to see people standing up for their beliefs. Thank you, and I'm sorry you had to do that. you shouldn't have had to
MsWasteland101 5 months ago
You sir, are brilliant. It's so refreshing to see people standing up for their beliefs. Thank you, and I'm sorry you had to do that.
MsWasteland101 5 months ago
Oh, and pastrytroll...the religious badge isn't part of BSA. They are separately offered by religious organizations through scouting, but not endorsed. Your son's leader was an ass.
TheMultimomma 5 months ago
@TheMultimomma I think that - and I need to talk to my son about this, they told him he could either have a religion badge or a letter of support from his priest or minister - and he/we didn't have one. It was the only trooop in town, and we never though it wasn't a rule.
pastrytroll 5 months ago
Like zarathrustra, our troop is pretty open. One question, what page of your handbook says no gays or atheists? Ours doesn't say that at all, and has several pages that specifically state to be open to differing beliefs and ways of showing reverence. TIA for the info.
TheMultimomma 5 months ago
excellent video Dan also posted at the Atheist Alliance Int. FB page the Secular Students of America FB page the Atheist Scouting FB page and the Secular Coalition of America FB page ...peace out-
mattincinci 5 months ago
This is certainly not true for all of the troops in the BSA... I would venture to say a good quarter of the people in my troop are atheist. We even have someone who is pretty much openly homosexual...
I have vaguely heard these things are discriminated against in the BSA, but I have never heard anything official, and I have certainly never seen any of it enforced!
If they have not moved away from it already, the BSA is defiantly on the path to becoming more liberal in these areas.
TheZarathustra42 5 months ago
@TheZarathustra42 I hope you are right!!!
IamMeDC8 5 months ago
My son dropped out just before going for his Eagle: he choked on the 'religion' badge, told his scoutmaster, and the guys said "aw kid, just fake it like all the other guys" he didn't, and I couldn't have been pouder. Love your point about the hate, and the three G's: girls, godless and gays.
pastrytroll 5 months ago 43
@pastrytroll
There is absolutely nothing stating that anyone needs the religious badges... no one in my entire troop has one. Hell, we don't even have a chaplain! Was it some sort of peer pressure thing in your troop?
TheZarathustra42 5 months ago
There is absolutely nothing stating that anyone needs the religious badges... no one in my entire troop has one. Hell, we dont even have a chaplain! Was it some sort of peer-pressure thing in your troop?
TheZarathustra42 5 months ago
@TheZarathustra42 It was most likely a "I'm going to stand up for my rights thing" I don't know. I have never heard of this issue.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
There is absolutely nothing stating that anyone needs the religious badges... no one in my entire troop has one. Hell, we dont even have a chaplain!
TheZarathustra42 5 months ago
@pastrytroll Religious badge, no such thing, there is a religious emblem, but it's optional. Yes some troops are religion based, LDS or Catholic, then find another troop. Plenty of them around.
Walkabout0011 5 months ago
My son dropped out just before going for his Eagle: he choked on the 'religion' badge, told his scoutmaster, and the guys said "aw kid, just fake it like all the other guys" he didn't, and I couldn't have been pouder. Love your point about the hate, and the three G's: girls, godless and gays.
pastrytroll 5 months ago
Aggh! Are the constant cuts really necessary? We're not 5 year olds, we can pay attention without you flipping sides every 4 seconds. -_-
Bamshu 5 months ago
@Bamshu it's the interwebz way of transitioning sentences. Featured in pretty much in every "talk to the lens" YouTube "show".
Mike28115 5 months ago
@Mike28115 I know, and it's super annoying. To me anyway. There are great youtubers out there that don't do it. :o
Bamshu 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
suck it up!!!
TheCrazzyman9 5 months ago
Great video! Great points! And I'm so glad the Girl Scouts of the USA does NOT have these policies - people who are gay, are atheist, or are agnostic are welcomed to join as volunteers or troop members.
jcravens42 5 months ago
Comment removed
brnedout1234 5 months ago
I strongly agree with the message of this video. I am Eagle Scout, an Atheist, and a strong proponent of LGBT rights. And for the past few years I have been appalled with the BSA's policy of discrimination against gays, Atheists, and Agnostics.
brnedout1234 5 months ago
Wait, you quit Boyscouts because you didn't wanna lie about who you were... but you couldn't tell your parents why because you were lying to them about who you were?
lovepirate14 5 months ago
@lovepirate14 Exactly. You can't lie or just simply never bring it up to an organization that does service work, but lied to your parents and probably suffered more because of it.
AlexeiRomanov100 5 months ago
That. Was fantastic.
iamprocrastination 5 months ago
Awesome, totally awesome.
bonsaikc 5 months ago
My nearly 9-year old son wants to join Cub Scouts and it pains me to say no. I'll give in a