Boy Scouts are not a religious organization

Date published: 4/15/2005

KENT WILLIS of the American Civil Liberties Union is sadly misin- formed on several of the issues he presented in his comments made on April 10 in his Viewpoints piece, "The Boy Scouts is a religious group; it's really that simple."

I am an advancement chair with a local Boy Scout group. I can tell you that the literature Mr. Willis references is not required reading for any Scout. They are workbooks that Scouts can choose to review with their families and places of worship to further their own understanding of their faith.

These books are available in 33 different faiths, including Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Islamic, Zoroastrian, and many more.

If Mr. Willis were to take the time to read the literature on these programs, he would have found that they were created and published by the religious organizations themselves for use by all of their youth. The Boy Scouts of America simply recognize them as valuable tools the Scouts can use to enhance their own sense of reverence.

While the BSA does make available a small patch in recognition of workbook completion, the actual medal earned is purchased and presented by the religious organization itself to the Scout at his place of worship.

It is important to point out that this is not Scout literature. It is available to all youth within the given religious organizations.

Mr. Willis states that "religion in the Boy Scouts does not appear to be volun-tary." No Scout is ever forced or compelled to pray during our activities. If there is ever a reason that a Scout feels he cannot openly participate in something like grace before a meal, he would simply be en-couraged to be respectful to those who do wish to. The boys (and leaders) are always encouraged to observe "as is your custom," which leaves reverence open to all interpretations.

I sincerely hope Mr. Willis will visit the Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill this summer, where he will find that it is not "very much a part of the Boy Scouts' religious mission."

Date published: 4/15/2005