This is the second day for my test of
an online journal. I am still doing my written one until I decide what I want to
do. My question today was whether I was going to wait until I finish the
handwritten one before doing the online, or if I would reenter the pages I have
done so far for this year to have the full year, or I can stop the old and do
the new. Silly to think about, but that is how my brain works.
I got some disturbing news this
morning; it seems that the BSA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy just after
midnight last night. One of the reasons for this is that they have so much they
are paying in abuse lawsuits that they cannot afford it. This hole thing brings
many questions to my mind.
I do feel that the downturn of the
Scouts over the past few years has been because the leadership has strayed from
the Scout Oath and Law. I know they will say that the Oath and Law are the
foundation of all they do. That is like saying the Scriptures are the
foundation of the Church. Just because you know them, recite them, and use them
often does not mean you apply them or believe them.
As with any oath, the proof is in our
behavior and not in our words. I find it puzzling that the BSA’s biggest
problem is the sexual abuse caused by Scout Leaders abusing Scouts, yet, not
long ago, the BSA welcomed openly gay Scouts and leaders into the organization.
I am the first to say that there have always been gay leaders and Scouts in the
BSA. However, as a policy, it was not accepted as the norm for Scouts or
leaders. Now, the issue is that the actions of gay leaders and some Scouts were
so awful that we pay millions to “compensate” the victims. This makes no sense
to me at all.
In a desire to be more socially
relevant, the BSA has compromised and twisted it Oath and Law so that they mean
nothing but good ideas. Even the very foundation of Boy Scouts has been taken
down with the entrance of girls into the Troops. I have no problem with girls
in Scouting. That, too, has been a reality for years. However, the Boy Scouts
were just that – Boy Scouts. There is a place for Girl Scouts, and that too
should be recognized and kept for girls. It is not an issue of inclusiveness as
much as it is the identity for the boys. It is one more thing in our society to
masculinize boys.
Even the outdoor, high adventure
image of Scouts has been watered down. Troops can no longer play games like
dodge ball, and in some districts, guns have been taken out of the merit badge
curriculum. Scouts are no longer building strong and brave men. They are not
even making boys. In the words of Sir Robert Baden-Powell, “God made man to be
men.”
I know that this may be upsetting to
some. I admit that I am disturbed by the “everything is wonderful and no need
to be alarmed” attitude that is often pushed. I am a very positive person as
anyone who has read my blogs knows. However, being positive is not a denial of
unpleasant things. When standing in a burning house, the positive person does
not say, “Isn’t the heat nice.”
I love Scouting and believe it has
the potential to help young people develop character and to become good
citizens. But I have to say I see the house is on fire. There has got to be
some changes made and made quickly if we are to survive. I do not have all the
answers, nor do I think I can do better than others. I am sure that there are
many things I do not know or understand. However, that only makes me one of the
thousands of Scouts and Scouters who hold these same concerns.
The thing we do know is the Scout
Oath and Law. We know it, understand it, and believe it. Many Scouts and
Scouters work hard to apply the Oath and Law to their lives and to live it every
day. Scouting is more than an organization we belong to; it is a way of life.
We expect the same from our leadership, and to be frank, we do not see that
happening.
Please let me encourage you with
this, make your district and national leadership know how you feel. Be honest
and straight forward with them about your concerns and feelings. Remembering
that a Scout is kind and courteous. It is your duty as a Scout to help
everyone, even those in leadership, to be their best, and to succeed.
Baden-Powell reminds us, “We never fail when we do our duty, we always fail
when we neglect to do it.”
Scouting Out of Uniform is a personal blog based on the
lessons learned from Scouting that relate to personal development and success
principles and is not an official site of The Boy Scouts of America. John
Patrick Hickey does not represent or speak for the Scouting program; however,
he does completely support and encourages Scouting for both young and old. John
Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Personal Development Coach, and proud Scouter. To read more from John
Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your
church, business, or group, visit our website at www.johnpatrickhickey.com. ©
2020 John Patrick Hickey
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