{"id":2173,"date":"2013-02-01T07:28:00","date_gmt":"2013-02-01T07:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/possible-lift-of-boy-scouts-gay-ban-draws-disappointment\/"},"modified":"2013-02-01T07:28:00","modified_gmt":"2013-02-01T07:28:00","slug":"possible-lift-of-boy-scouts-gay-ban-draws-disappointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2013\/02\/possible-lift-of-boy-scouts-gay-ban-draws-disappointment\/","title":{"rendered":"Possible lift of Boy Scouts’ gay ban draws disappointment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Washington D.C., Feb 1, 2013 \/ 12:28 am (CNA<\/a>).- News that the Boy Scouts of America may soon approve of openly gay members and leaders has sparked a wave of concern and criticism throughout the country.<\/p>\n

\tEagle Scout Andrew Hill, who lives in Philadelphia, said that he is \u201cdisappointed\u201d that the organization\u2019s leadership appears to have \u201ccaved to external demands.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThe Boy Scouts are now just another organization or public figure that has given in to societal pressure,\u201d Hill told CNA on Jan. 31. \u201cThese are the times we live in, and as Catholics, we need to go forward aware of this reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe added, however, that even if the policy change is made, he does not \u201cexpect this to have a significant effect on the majority of current and future scouts.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cWith so many troops being organized by and supported by churches, these troops will continue on as they were,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\tHill\u2019s comments came in response to an announcement by the Boy Scouts of America that a ban on openly homosexual leaders and members is being reconsidered.<\/p>\n

\tDeron Smith, director of public relations for the organization, announced on Jan. 28 that the group \u201cis discussing potentially removing the national membership restriction regarding sexual orientation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe explained that the removal of a national policy would allow each local unit to set its own guidelines, permitting \u201cthe religious, civic, or educational organizations that oversee and deliver Scouting to determine how to address this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tThe announcement drew criticism from both religious and secular sources concerned about the well-being of future scouts.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cBoy Scouts leaders are exactly that \u2013 leaders,\u201d said Greg Quinlan, president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays. \u201cBoys watch them very closely. Boys also look up to older Boy Scout members and want to imitate them and follow their examples.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tQuinlan, who identifies himself as a \u201cformer homosexual,\u201d said that a gay man \u201cwho gently eases boys and young men into exposure of homosexuality by his own personal example promotes homosexual behavior as normal, natural and healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\u201cThis paves the way for youth to question their own sexuality and be affirmed into homosexuality,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

\tQuinlan \u2013 who attributes his past homosexual behavior in part to the experience of being sexually molested when he was young \u2013 also raised concerns of increased sexual abuse with a change to allow openly gay scout leaders.<\/p>\n

\tHe speculated that the Boy Scouts\u2019 decision to reconsider its policy is due to financial and political pressure.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cIt seems that one or more of your major corporate donors is pressuring you, and others are bullying you, to change the Boy Scout policy to admit homosexuals,\u201d he said, adding that \u201c(m)oney with dangerous conditions attached is not a donation \u2013 it's a bribe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tIn recent months, several significant donors \u2013 including Intel, UPS and Merck \u2013 have stopped giving funds to the Boy Scouts of America due to the ban on homosexual members. The organization had previously defended its policy, explaining that it aligns with the group\u2019s values, respects parental rights and avoids distractions.<\/p>\n

\tThe Diocese of Arlington, Va., which has 68 parishes and sponsors\u00a0about 50\u00a0Boy Scout troops, will be watching the situation closely, alongside other parishes and dioceses around the nation.
\n\t\u00a0
\n\t\u201cThe clarity and courage of the Boy Scouts of America over the years in the face of considerable cultural, political and legal pressure has been a blessing,\u201d said Michael Donohue, director of communications for the Diocese of Arlington.<\/p>\n

\tDonohue told CNA that the diocese \u201cis pleased to sponsor Boy Scout troops in its parishes, as are many Catholic dioceses across the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\tHe explained that diocesan officials are awaiting the final results of the upcoming Boy Scouts meeting.<\/p>\n

\t\u201cObviously, any substantive changes in the mission or policies of the Boy Scouts of America would require the diocese\u2019s careful consideration,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Washington D.C., Feb 1, 2013 \/ 12:28 am (CNA).- News that the Boy Scouts of America may soon approve of openly gay members and leaders has sparked a wave of concern and criticism throughout the country.<\/p>\n

\tEagle Scout Andrew Hill, who lives in Philadelp…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-us"],"yoast_head":"\nPossible lift of Boy Scouts' gay ban draws disappointment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Washington D.C., Feb 1, 2013 \/ 12:28 am (CNA).- News that the Boy Scouts of America may soon approve of openly gay members and leaders has sparked a wave of concern and criticism throughout the country. 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