# A reasonable solution to the Boy Scout dilemma

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-solution-to-the-boy-scout-dilemma/51129>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [January 21, 2001, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-solution-to-the-boy-scout-dilemma/51129 "2001-01-21T15:17:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2001, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-solution-to-the-boy-scout-dilemma/51129/61 "2001-01-26T23:26:40Z")

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DOREEN:

> [@](#):
>
> Not that they may join thinking that the organization must approve of it, but rather that they join or charter a troop not being aware that it’s an issue at all, just as many other beliefs are not an issue at all ,and that the BSA, in a sense, is a bundle of contradictions even after this case.

This, to me, doesn’t speak of a lack of sincerity so much as a lack of clarity, and perhaps a healthy helping of let’s-keep-our-mouths-shut cowardice to avoid the inevitable shit-storm arising from its rather distasteful “values” seeing the light of day.

> [@](#):
>
> I suspect the decision would go the other way, not because they would have to show they’ve never allowed divorced leaders (they don’t ask for marital status on the application either),but because divorce is not as heated an issue.

And I disagree. I don’t think the issue of whether a belief is controversial or not should be relevant, and I see nothing in _Dale_ that indicates the majority held as it did because of the “heat” of the topic.

> [@](#):
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> I also suspect, that 10 years from now, BSA won’t even have the policy, between the dissent from its own members (and some local councils), the groups who are are no longer permitted to or refuse to charter troops,the loss of funding from some United Ways, and changes in how people view homosexuality.

Let’s hope so.

JEFFB: Thanks! 🙂

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**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\
**Post date:** [January 27, 2001, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-reasonable-solution-to-the-boy-scout-dilemma/51129/62 "2001-01-27T13:26:06Z")

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## [quote]

Originally posted by december

1. Lower level scouts are allowed to be gay. There is a kind of “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. However, when one is elevated to Eagle Scout, sexuality is specifically questioned.

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I can’t say it doesn’t happen, but sexuality is not supposed to be discussed at all,according to BSA policies.

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