From: anthropo@carina.unm.edu (Dominick V. Zurlo)
Subject: Re: Jesus vs. Cub Scouts?
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 92 22:11:48 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <1992Oct8.185406.1020@cbnewsl.cb.att.com> stank@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (Stan Krieger) writes:
>Merlyn LeRoy writes:
>>Stan Krieger writes:
>> >Todd Stevens writes:
>> >>.............  As a Christian,
>> >>I would find it extremely difficult to award someone for any work done to 
>> >>further beliefs that discredit Jesus as Lord and Savior.  I was wondering
>> >>how other Christian scout leaders have handled this moral dilemma.
>>...
>> >Before I answer the question itself, I feel I need to address the tone of
>> >Mr. Stevens' posting.  I consider it blatantly anti-Semitic, anti-Islam,
>> >anti-Buddhist, anti-Hindu, and anti-any and every other religion that
>> >Scouts worldwide observe and are encouraged to observe......
>>...
>> >In closing: Mr. Stevens, now that you are a youth group leader,
>> >I strongly suggest you learn to show a little tolerance toward
>> >those who do not share your religious beliefs.......
>>
>>Stan, you are the most blatant hypocrite I have even seen, and I've
>>seen Ted Kaldis.  Every single point you've raised applies to atheist
>>scouts, yet you display EXACTLY the same disgust towards atheist scouts
>>that this yoyo displays towards non-christian scouts.  Don't like your
>>own poisonous medicine, eh?
>>
>>Maybe, just maybe, you might understand why it's not a good idea to
>>impose your religious orthodoxy on other people.  But I doubt it.
>The points I raised do NOT apply to atheists, and I'd wish you'd stop
>cluttering up rec.scouting with your anti-religion agenda!!!
 Yes, they do apply, atheism is another form of belief, just not one
you value.  I myself am not atheist or agnostic, but neither am I 
religious, but I am very spiritual.  
>
>A religious belief is a POSITIVE moral value, and a value that children
>should be encouraged to adopt.   The issue in these postings is that
>a BSA unit adult leader was unable to respect legitimate RELIGIOUS
>beliefs different from his own.  It had ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with
>atheism.
Not all religions are positive, and not even poistive religious systems
are positive in all respects, especially Judeo-Christian religions with
their brain-washing and rigidity towards other faiths when coming into 
contact with this type of multi-belief organization.  atheism is just
as legitimate a belief as non-atheism beliefs.  It's only another 
facet, and one that is being ignored by the BSA becuase of this lack of 
understanding.  You might try exploring the avenues of atheism as a 
(excuse me, an) academic subject since you are so strong in your 
own faith.  What's the worst it could do but to help you understand some
of your fellow humans.
 
>You KNOW the BSA policy in the area of religion, and you know WHY it's
>a BSA policy.  Trying to equate tolerance toward atheism with tolerance
>towards legitimate religious beliefs and values is like trying to compare
>apples and oranges.  Religion/atheism is a TOTALLY separate issue from
>respecting others RELIGIONS.
 Now then, again, atheism is a legitimate belief, and so are many other 
religions which the BSA does not explicitly recognize.  I'd like to see
a definition of a "legitimate religion." Is there a registry somewhere? 
As an avid researcher in anthropology I'd be interested to know? 
Atheism is just another part of the building of spirituality.  Just as
the Judaic traditions are, and Christian and Muslim and the religions 
of the Yanamomo, Hindu, Native American religions, etc...

Dominick V. Zurlo
Eagle Scout '87
blacklisted '88