The elders of TBC are grateful for the years that the Boy Scouts of America have faithfully taught young boys character development and values-based leadership training. We have been both supportive and encouraged by their historic strong stand for biblical values as the basis and guide for their training and character development of these young boys.
The BSA pledge is, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout law, to help other people at all times, and to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
We were profoundly disappointed to learn that, “On May 23, 2013, the approximate 1,400 voting members of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Council approved a resolution to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation alone. This policy change is effective Jan. 1, 2014, allowing the Boy Scouts of America the transition time needed to communicate and implement this policy to its approximately 116,000 Scouting units.” [1]
This decision undermines the historic commitment and integrity of the Boy Scouts. A decision to continue endorsement of the BSA places young boys in a perilous environment as well as lends support to an organization that seeks by its action to normalize homosexuality; something the Scripture teaches ubiquitously and clearly as abnormal and sin (Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
For the present, the policy for adults remains the same since, “A change to the current membership policy for adult leaders was not under consideration.” However, we believe this will one day be changed since the homosexual community has been successful thus far and has never given evidence of being satisfied with partial inclusion; also, by this decision, the BSA gives every indication that it no longer has the conviction that it once had when the leadership avowed that their convictions were “non-negotiable.” This conclusion is bolstered by the present abandonment of their tradition that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2000 in permitting the Scouts to decline membership to openly gay leaders and members.
Additionally, “Less than a week after the Boy Scouts changed its policy to allow gay-identifying youth, the California Senate passed a law that would revoke the organization’s tax-exempt status if it doesn’t also allow gay leaders.”[2]
Consequently, it is with heavy hearts that we withdraw our endorsement of BSA. We can no longer encourage parents to enroll their young boys in the BSA since its decision places young boys in serious and unnecessary jeopardy.
The Trinity Baptist Church Elders
