This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As an Eagle Scout with a bronze palm and three Wood Badge leadership training beads, a former Scout committee chairman and father of two Eagle Scouts, I disagree with the decision by the Boy Scouts to allow gay boys to be Scouts. This policy will create more problems than it solves.
If a young gay Scout acts on his inclinations, he will be expelled, because the Scout Law says a Scout must be "morally straight." But that will be passing a moral judgment that many consider discriminatory.
Boys sleeping next to each other in a tent may be tempted to push the limits. Decent families will likely pull their boys out of troops as they hear of "awkward encounters."
Such instances may be rare, but wait until your son returns from a campout and says that Johnnie tried to climb into his sleeping bag with him! If you complain, you'll be accused of homophobia.
To prevent persecution, there will probably be mandated sensitivity training for the straight kids and parents.
I predict the demise of Scouting as we know it, and Satan will have his victory.
James C. Green
Heber City