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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."
Nobody makes you dump out your backpack and display a prayer book before you can come in, and it is most definitely not a religious retreat. The Jamboree is a chance for boys from all over the world to meet, camp, and learn new skills. It's all about fellowship, not religion.
Mr. Willis need only do some research in his own back yard to see the value of Scouting. Ask the teachers in this area if they can tell which boys are in Scouting --because they can.
Ask the Board of Supervisors if they can count on the Scouts for flag ceremonies.
Ask the soldiers at Fort A.P. Hill if they are grateful for an opportunity to work with a mass population for training purposes.
Ask the parents if they think their sons are getting something out of Scouting. Ask the boys themselves.
Should the Scouts be banned from meeting in schools and on military reservations? I say no. Our children are compelled to participate in all manner of religious study and ethnic activities at school in the name of cultural diversity (Hanukkah, Black History Month, etc.).
Children do need to be made aware of the cultures that make up their communities, and as a parent I support this. But to allow the study of religion and culture at school and then deny meeting space in the name of religion is hypocritical at best.
Military support is much the same; if there are to be chaplains and allowances for worship for all faiths among our soldiers, then one cannot discriminate against the Boy Scouts on the basis of religion. And while the BSA itself may not need the money it receives from the government, the local units are run by volunteers, and we need all the support we can get.
Scouting is not about religion. It is about fostering respect, self-reliance, stewardship of the environment, and personal growth among the boys and young men of our communities.
Scouting is about character, and whether the ACLU agrees or not, reverence (in whatever form it takes) is an integral part of a person's character.
LORRAINE GRIFFIN of Stafford County is assistant cubmaster of Pack 907 and a committee member of Troop 142.
