From: rlosee@unlinfo.unl.edu (Robert Losee)
Subject: Re: Support for Boy Scouts
Organization: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1992 15:52:09 GMT

In <1992Jul24.103059.26158@hemlock.cray.com> dadams@cray.com (David Adams) writes:

>In article 711938998@galois, graham@maths.su.oz.au (Graham Matthews) writes:
>Robert Losee) writes:
>> 
>> The point of issue is over funding. If the BSA wants to remain non
>> secular it should give back all the money it has taken under false
>> pretenses from the United Way. This is the issue.
>> 
>> graham
>> 

>As I see it part of the pretense belongs to the UW.  The UW is often
>seen as a very liberal organization.  I perceive that they try to
>balance this immage by keeping conservative organizations onboard
>like the BSA.  Many people who would not otherwise give to the UW, 
>give because organizations like the BSA participate.


>I agree that it is time for the BSA to dump the UW!


>If the BSA is required to return money recieved in the past, then UW should
>also be required to return the same to it's donors.  (Nearly impossible.)
>(In fact it should be required to return the money of those who were
>convinced to donate because of the BSA.)  There is too much water under the 
>bridge, but we should end the relationship now!

On June 8th Lincoln's United Way voted to reduce funding to Cornhusker
Council, because of its policies regarding homosexuals and girls (I
don't believe atheists were an issue here); and a catholic pregnancy
counseling group because they don't mention and won't support abortion
as an alternative.
 
Well about the 10th of July the papers reported the response was so
massive and lopsided that they would hold an emergency meeting to
reconsider the issue.
 
On July 21st the papers reported that UW decided to actually increase
funding (provided the fund drive is successful) to both the
Cornhusker Council and the catholic service group.  The UW asked that 
the Cornhusker Council request the national organization to change its
policies, and the council said it supports those policies.

In short, at least in this midwestern community the UW needs the BSA 
more than the other way around.
 
Those are the facts as reported by the paper.  As for me personally
I've had a growing feeling that the UW is too intrusive into
organizations.  For instance, I won't reveal my personal feelings on
abortion, but it seems clear to me that of course a Roman Catholic
organization isn't going to support abortion. It's equally clear that
people using that organization will know that, and will also know
that abortion is available (no secret there).  It's also clear that
pregnancy counseling is highly discriminatory (as my wife pointed
out) to me, a male.  Yet I think they offer a useful service to the
community and for those that have a need for that service.  But the
committee(s) of the UW suddenly find this is bad and that the UW must
address the issues by making agencies conform to their opinions on
these matters.
 
This year, and for now on, I think I'll take my money and give it
directly to the organizations I'm most interested in supporting, such
as the BSA and Red Cross.
-- 
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Robert D. Losee                 BITNET: ucas402@unlvm
University of Nebraska          Internet: rlosee@unlinfo.unl.edu
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