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Thoughts on a Mormon -Boy Scouts divorce

[additional-authors]
August 19, 2015

I have rarely received as many emails from Jews on a Mormon topic than I have in the last few weeks. Following the national Boy Scouts of America's decision to allow troops to have gay leaders if they wish, top LDS leaders indicated that they might cut their century-old ties with BSA, which has been the official youth program for teen boys in the church for decades.

I have mixed feelings about the BSA. I never liked Scouting as a kid, and in my adult life I have seen how the church's arrangement with the BSA is a cash cow for the latter. If my church's leaders do decide to cut ties to the BSA, I will certainly support their decision. That said, it's likely that such a decision will cost us some goodwill.

According to a recent poll by UtahPolicy.com, 63% of Utahns who consider themselves to be active Mormons want their church and the BSA to go their separate ways. I understand why they feel this way, but I also understand why this attitude makes them and their church appear to be bigoted and homophobic.

Most people understand why the LDS Church does not sanction gay relationships, including gay marriage, and tolerant folks would understand why the church would not want openly gay men serving as moral role models for its youth in the Scouting program, which is the church's youth program for teenage boys. However, if the church goes one step further and says that it can't belong to a youth organization (like the Girl Scouts) that allows gay leaders to serve anywhere, even in non-LDS troops, then it becomes impossible for an LDS blogger to make the case that Mormons love gays but disapprove of their behavior.

As much as I disapprove of gay marriage, I am agnostic on the question of whether the church should split from Scouting because non-LDS troops might appoint gay troop leaders. In the end, I will support whatever decision is taken by my church's leaders. However, if they decide to say adieu to the Scouts, I will give up trying to argue publicly that Mormons love gays. While I believe this to be true, it becomes an impossible argument to make if the church looks like it has a problem with gays as people.

If a Christian church left the BSA because it could not abide the thought of Mormons serving as troop leaders anywhere in the country, Mormons would consider its members to be anti-Mormon bigots. If Mormons take a similar stand against gay troop leaders, gays can be forgiven for reacting in a similar way. I understand very well the theological and doctrinal issues in play here, and a divorce may be necessary. I just have a feeling that after the church's official announcement is made, the job of a faithful Mormon blogger will become a little more difficult.

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