Well, That Doesn't Make a Whole Lot of Sense: First Edition

This may start a series since I often read things that make me scratch my head and wonder about this world. Enjoy the first edition.

In this week's edition of "Well, That Doesn't Make a Whole Lot of Sense" the Boy Scouts have voted to be selectively open-minded. That is, they are now allowing openly gay members into the Boy Scouts, but - ah, ah, ahhh - NOT allowing openly gay Scout Leaders. Excellent choice. Let's keep the openly gay members of Boy Scouts in a heteronormative environment. That's super.

In addition, their statement clarifies that they are not condoning "any sexual conduct, whether heterosexual or homosexual, by youth of Scouting age" since it's "contrary to the virtues of Scouting". I understand this is an important part of the statement for public relations' purposes, but that is just absurd. Some members of the Boy Scouts are in their late teenage years, precisely when we KNOW many of them engage in sexual activity - consensually, safely, and quite happily(*gasp*). To say you're opposed to sexual activity among teenagers is about as helpful as abstinence only sex education.

I know the Boy Scouts do a lot of great things. In the "About" section on their website, they describe themselves as an organization that "builds character, trains [] in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness" - these are all TERRIFIC things! I have a lot of family members and friends who are incredible people who have belonged to the Boy Scouts for many years and told countless stories about lessons they learned while Scouting - everything from knot tying to survival skills to sportsmanship. I know this organization has a lot of potential.

It is precisely this potential which makes me so frustrated at their selective open-mindedness. Sort of similar to when the teacher is hardest on the student who has a lot of potential but is falling short because they choose not to apply their full effort during class or to completing their homework, I am critical because I know they can do better. This organization reaches a lot of people and can help to further gay rights, comprehensive sex education, and many other subject areas that would fall under "building character" or "participating citizenship".

Good character and participatory citizenship involve acceptance of other good people unlike yourself, questioning mainstream ideas, and standing up for those who are marginalized or otherwise excluded.

Hopefully the Boy Scouts' selective open-mindedness is just step one, and they are quickly on their way to engaging all citizens, regardless of sexuality, and educating and encouraging all sorts of healthy choices among their Scouts, even, and perhaps especially, when they are controversial ...but realistic.