Boy Scouts of America = code word for Right Wing Hate Group

[RKP5637]

And I say this as a former Eagle Scout with an excellent record in boy scouting. Today, I wouldn't lift a finger to support BSA. This is NOT the BSA organization I belonged too. IMO it has morphed into a right wing hate group. Below, is just one example of the hatred spewed by the BSA of today.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/gay-boy-scout-denied-eagle-award-believes-god/story?id=17407747

The Boy Scouts of America say that Ryan Andresen was denied his Eagle Award because of a violation of the organization's religious principles, but the 17-year-old refutes that, saying he believes in a "higher power."

"...The only reason he's being denied the rank of Eagle is because the Boy Scouts of America has a problem with Ryan being gay," said his mother, Karen Andresen, 49.

Andresen has spent a decade completing the requirements for the coveted award, and now that he is just about to turn 18 -- the cut-off date for attaining the highest honor -- his Moraga, Calif., his troop won't approve it.

ABCNews.com has placed multiple calls and sent emails to the teen's Troop 212 scoutmaster, Rainer Del Valle, but he has not returned calls for comment.

Deron Smith, spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America, released this statement today:

"This scout proactively notified his unit leadership and Eagle Scout counselor that he does not agree to scouting's principle of 'Duty to God' and does not meet scouting's membership standard on sexual orientation. Agreeing to do one's 'Duty to God' is a part of the scout Oath and Law and a requirement of achieving the Eagle Scout rank."

Smith also said that even though the Boy Scouts does not actively ask the sexual orientation of boys, discussions with the Andresens have made Ryan "no longer eligible for membership in scouting."

He said the "ideals and principles" in the Scout Oath and Law are "central to the mission of teaching young people to make better choices over their lifetimes."

Ryan's project, a "tolerance wall," was inspired by the years of hazing he endured in middle school and later at Boy Scout summer camp, where his nicknames were "Tinkerbell" and "faggot."

"I had no idea what gay was at that point," said Andresen, who described hazing that included, among other rituals, having the word "fag" written in charcoal across his chest.

"It was really embarrassing and humiliating," he said. "And I was terrified."

His mom was so upset by the troops' decision that she posted a petition on Change.org.

"It was not his idea, it was mine," she said.

[kestrel91316]

1. I was always so proud that my dad had been the quintessential "boy scout" after

having actually been in the Boy Scouts as a kid. I think this current organization with its overemphasis on Gawd and its anti-gay fanaticism would turn him off in a major way.

But then, the demand that he attend church more (the LDS church, no less) is what drove him to quit. And that was in the 1940s.

[RKP5637]

2. WOW! I guess it might have varied by region. Our incredible Scoutmaster was catholic, and the

sponsoring church was protestant. In our troop/council I never heard anything about religion. About the only thing religious I ever participated in was our one non-denominational church service on Sunday's at summer camp, and that was no big deal, the service consisted pretty much about caring for others, etc. It didn't even seem religious, it was just one more camp activity at the incredible summer camp we were lucky to have way off in the wilderness with its own lake.

I do know in our troop there were people of many religions including myself who was a closeted atheist. I would have quit too. I've always had a very negative opinion of people/organizations that try to force their brand of religion, or any religion, onto people.

[kestrel91316]

3. My dad grew up in rural NV. There were 2 churches: Mormon and Catholic. Our family had ZERO

history with Catholicism, and were in fact Jack Mormons/apostates/fallen away, so he was a member of a virtually exclusive Mormon troop. The scout troop leader was the local bishop.

[RKP5637]

4. Ohhh, that explains it all. I grew up in the NE not far from NYC. n/t