From: pnsf01dw@UMASSD.EDU (Dennis J. Wilkinson)
Subject: Gays, God, and other controversies...
Reply-To: pnsf01dw@UMASSD.EDU
Organization: UMASS DARTMOUTH, NO. DARTMOUTH, MA.
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 16:44:33 GMT

OK, Scouts, seems to be time to head back to the issues, here...

I don't disagree that both the sexual orientation and religious affiliation are
important issues. They are. However, neither side seems to be accomplishing much
of anything other than filling up bandwidth with their own arguments (i.e. *we
aren't any closer to a solution, here*) -- and it certainly doesn't seem like
any party on either side of the fence is any more likely to change their mind.
 
Maybe it's time that the argument move off rec.scouting. It *is* a valid issue
for discussion, but (like I said) apart from arguing, we're not getting
anywhere. The same logic/rhetoric just keeps getting bounced  back and forth --
I almost feel like I've been watching a volleyball game. There have even been
times when there have been some outright _rude_ statements made (courteous,
people, courteous!!!) A more appropriate forum is the collective mailbox of the
Boy Scouts of America.

It seems to me that an organization that depends on its volunteers as much as
the BSA does would have to pay attention if enough of their volunteers have
something to say. All of you - either side, doesn't matter - should be making
your opinions and logic known to the people who are in charge in Texas. Even if
you _aren't_ a member of the BSA (for whatever reason...), the BSA depends on
significant public support, too. If the voice is loud enough, in whatever
direction, it strikes me that eventually, they have to listen (let's not get
into another flame war about how well they do and do not listen to the
volunteers/public, please). Right, the BSA should be taking the lead -- so who's
leading the BSA???

I, as I suspect are many others on the net, started watching this group with the
intent of seeing things that we could use to help with program, relate scouting
stories, whatever -- not cope even more with politics and policies, which I'm 
sure most of us have to deal with whenever we talk to our own execs. I
understand that there are some of you out there who have been ousted from the
program for whatver reason (and I think that's a shame, personally), and I know
you want to help -- why don't you start to help by sharing whatever knowledge
you have about working with boys and creating an effective scouting program? In
the end, you'll still be helping boys (or girls -- I tend to get BSA on the
brain occasionally...) 

For the record, I am hetero and believe in a god (just not sure _what_ god is
all), and an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster. I do have a close friend who is bi and
could be at risk of being ousted from the program -- which would be a tremendous
loss to the BSA, and I'm sure that anyone in my home council would agree. 

As far as the remainder of this discussion goes (and before it's suggested) yes,
I *do* know how to use my kill file. 

Sorry for the long post, but occasionally they are warranted.

In Scouting...

----------------------------------------------------
Dennis J. Wilkinson, II  (pnsf01dw@umassd.edu)
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth - Design/CS Project

The opinions reflected in this post are MINE!!!! ALL MINE!!!!!