>Keep the BSofA for the people who want that sort of thing
Things like
>Selecting a campsite, leaving no trace when you leave, water purification and management, building and containing campfires, land navigation with a map and compass, how to safely use a rifle, knife use and maintenance, first aid... I learned all of these as a kid.
...and “no boy can grow into the best kind of citizenship without recognizing his obligation to God.”
Sorry, this goes against my core beliefs and I couldn't perosnally support or send a child to such an organization no matter what their other merits may be.
Even if your local troop didn't follow the original policies and mission statement of the organization doesn't mean they don't exist. I don't want to support the organization even if a rogue troop doesn't follow the official mission statement.
From my link above:
>What’s new is that beginning Jan. 1, 2016, every rank from Tenderfoot to Eagle Scout (plus Eagle Scout palms) will include a “duty to God” requirement
I'm an atheist, and scouts made a wonderful contribution to my life. I put my atheist kids into it, and they had a great time, too. It's a wonderful organization and great troops are the norm, not "rogue". I don't know if there were any gay kids among these pre-teens, and I didn't notice anyone who ever seemed to care. I've worked with Mormons on community service events: some of the finest people I've ever known. I don't believe in their God, but I believe in them and have no trouble getting along. I've been involved with sports in a Catholic organization. I've worked at companies that had some policies I disagreed with but that were a net positive in the world, in my opinion, and I hope I was a net positive for the company.
I'm not aware of any perfect scouting-like groups nor of any imperfect ones that, all things included, would be better for my own boys than the scouting group across the street.
I don't have to take umbrage at everything that has some relationship to something I don't agree with. I guess there is more that one kind of "inclusiveness".
Things like
>Selecting a campsite, leaving no trace when you leave, water purification and management, building and containing campfires, land navigation with a map and compass, how to safely use a rifle, knife use and maintenance, first aid... I learned all of these as a kid.
I suppose.