Did you know that atheists can not join the boyscouts of america?

Question

http://atheism.about.com/

I just stumbled upon this article this morning. I had no idea.

Answer 1

I had heard that, yes.

Of course private organisations should be allowed to exclude whoever they like. Private organisations should pay full tax on their properties, too. If the Boyscouts of America did both then I doubt anyone would complain.

Answer 2

My nephew is an atheist, and he was in the scouts for years. I think it's a matter of how militant you want to be about it. I'm not sure what compromises my nephew did in his mind; all I know is he's not the type to put up with heavy praying or open, public lying. I think it depends on the troop as well. Some might be heavily religious; the one my nephew was in wasn't at all. If you or a relative are interested in Scouting you might want to shop around for a good fit.

The thing is, the Scouts are not a governmental organization. The First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . ." So under the First Amendment, the government cannot impose a religion, but a private organization can make any religious requirement they want to. So my cricket league for left-handed Wiccan vegetarians is safe for now.

Answer 3

I read your article. Did you see who wrote it? Do you value truth? Then you need to look at both sides of the story...

The following is a quote from the boy scout web site:"The BSA respects the rights of people and groups who hold values that differ from those encompassed in the Scout Oath and Law, and the BSA makes no effort to deny the rights of those whose views differ to hold their attitudes or opinions."

Another question is why would an atheist want to join boy scouts? Hmmm... could it be because of quality people that they turn out? And then why are those boys of such quality? Do you know that the having been in boy scouts is a good thing to put on your resume?

Answer 4

Actually, in my experience they do let anyone join but sometimes they make a point of it.

When I tried to join the Boy Scouts, I went down to a meeting. I told one of the scoutmasters I wanted to join and he pulled out an application and began filling it out, asking me for the information. Name? . . . Address? . . . etc. Eventually it got down to what church I belonged to. I told him we didn't belong to a church, we were Jewish. He looked at me and said "Gee, I'm sorry, I think you have to belong to a church."

I was really surprised, not shocked or angry, just surprised. I was like 12 years old. I had -heard- of anti-semitism but never actually seen it! Actually, I couldn't believe it. "Do you mean I can't be in the boy scouts unless I'm a Christian?" I asked him, not in a challenging way, just really curious that the Boy Scouts of America would be like this. (I should mention this was a long time ago, before the big controversy about gays, etc.)

He said "Oh. . . . uh . . . well, I guess it doesn't matter. See, a lot of our funding comes from churches, and they just like to know that stuff, thats' all." And he finished filling out the application and I got into the Boy Scouts.

So I think in most places the BSA has the official position of supporting Christianity, but anyone really can join. It might be different in some small town in South Carolina or somewhere like that.

Answer 5

The boy scouts was founded as a Christian organization (as was the YMCA). Various things in the boy scout pledge, etc. make reference to God. Some atheists have complained saying that they should not be made to pledge to "God". Nobody makes you join the boy scouts. You are free to go form your own organization. They are not going to kick you out unless you make a stink about it (they would rather that you stay and perhaps they can convince you of God). But if you are going to make a stink, they will show you the door.

Answer 6

Yes and if your are a gay male you cannot join either. You should watch the boyscout episode of Penn and Tellers Bullshit. They do bring up some interesting questions during the show.

Answer 7

Maybe In the USA, but I am scout leader In the U.K and I am atheist along with four other leaders.

We are all fully trained and hold full leadership warrants. The U.K association does not mind as long as you uphold the rest of what we stand for.

Answer 8

Yes that makes sense. Since the group credo is
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

just like a canadian couldn't join boy scouts of america

Answer 9

arrrr so thats how you get out of the boyscouts, i wish someone would of told me that when i was a kid, just joking i was never sent to boy scouts, frankly i can't imagine how they would administer such a rule except by making certain religious rituals mandatory, or something.

Answer 10

Yes.

Fortunately, my dad was a boyscout leader for my brothers and my atheism, much like my gender, never stopped me from participating in their events. I even got some badges, though not officially.

As for my children, well, I'd prefer Spiral Scouts for them anyways.