Okay, here's a problem I'm faced with that advice from strangers might actually help with. I am charged with becoming a BSA merit badge counselor in an area I am well qualified in. However, for me to be an official "Adult Member" of the BSA they require me to sign off on a Statement of Religious Principle". I do NOT concur with said statement.
Your thoughts?
Hmmm. If you can afford to take this to court…
“ The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.”
1/2
IMHO it gets down to “what does nonsectarian mean” — that in itself is a squishy thing. Does “nonsectarian” include or exclude atheists and agnostics?
BSA won in Boy Scouts of America et al. v. Dale which allowed them to exclude queers. I can’t see them NOT winning on the religion angle. UNLESS you can argue that “nonsectarian” isn’t a REQUIREMENT to believe in a god or gods. (The use of God argues it is an Abrahamic version of religion so it’s arguably that is nonsectarian). 2/2
@Boyceaz @feloneouscat @DyDave @C_H_Antony @Animeraider @fuse
And I want to apologize, after seeing it explained by another user, I agreed with how she (I think, I can't remember who it was) put it and yes, you should do what works for you
@Idissent Don't doubt yourself. You gave excellent advice. You said you could not do it, and that is totally valid.
@Boyceaz
Thank you but seeing how it was explained made perfect sense
@feloneouscat @DyDave @C_H_Antony @Animeraider @fuse @Idissent Excellent advice all. COSO is really the best community of folk.
My plan is to see if if MB Counselors are truly required to join. If so, I'll find someone else who can sign the thing and serve in the role.