OVO

ACLU of Oregon: Boy Scout Decision 'Shameful' [LINK-ZUM]

The court held that it is not illegal for discriminatory organizations to recruit students in public school settings during school hours as long as the organization sanitizes its message, removing any mention that not all students can join.

That's the culmination of a decade-long struggle by Nancy Powell and her son Remington. Ten years ago, in first grade, Remington Powell was invited during school hours at Harvey Scott Elementary in Portland to join the Boy Scouts; a hospital-style bracelet was even attached to Remington's wrist, including the message, "Every boy can join." Only later was Remington told that, as an atheist, he was not allowed to join because all Boy Scouts must swear an oath to God.

[Article continues at link. The Scout Oath requires Boy Scouts to be "morally straight." The Scout Law begins with being Trustworthy: "A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him." Apparently keeping atheists out of Scouting is more important than being honest. To save Scouting, Scouting had to be destroyed. The Boy Scouts of America is a private organization and it is at liberty to discriminate against whoever it wishes to discriminate against. But to recruit at schools during school hours is an abridgement of liberty. Schools are funded by tax dollars, and the Constitution of the United States of America states that the government may not establish a state religion. If the discriminatory Boy Scouts of America are allowed to recruit during school hours on school property, then no other discriminatory private organization or religious organization can be forbidden from doing the same. - Trevor Blake]

Labels: atheist, theocracy

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