Scout leaders’ stands are inconsistent

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Scout leaders' stands are inconsistent

The Jan. 29 edition of the Daily Herald had a front-page story informing us that the national Boy Scouts of America have backed off from their position that gays are not to be members or scout leaders, and whether to exclude gays from membership or leadership will now be up to each religious or civic group sponsoring local scout units.

However, BSA spokesman Deron Smith said no change was being considered in the BSA's policy of excluding atheists from membership and leadership positions inasmuch as the BSA continues to view "Duty to God" as one of its basic principles.

Smith's statement indicates that the BSA is an organization that takes inconsistent positions. The BSA's reaffirmation of its Oath that Scouts shall do their "Duty to God" is obviously biblical in origin inasmuch as the Bible is where God's word is given. Yet how can the BSA claim to fulfill their Duty to God when they also agree to accept gays in their organization, yet the Bible tells us that if a man lies with another man as he does with a woman, they have committed an abomination and shall be put to death?

So if the BSA now accepts gays into their organization, are they not violating God's word and duty as set forth in the Bible? Thus it is inconsistent to ignore God's word on one matter and yet abide by it on another, and I don't think the BSA can have it both ways. It should either accept both gays and atheists or reject them both, but not inconsistently accept one while excluding the other.

Theodore M. Utchen

Wheaton