"On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, and to obey the Scout law. To help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight."
This is the oath every young man takes when joining the Boy Scouts of America. It is a statement of purpose, morality and guidance.
On Sept. 7 you ran an article titled "Reno's timely ruling on Scouts." I was pleased to see an article honoring and supporting BSA for its morals.
It is becoming more and more rare to see organizations that retain their values. It upsets me to see people turning against these organizations for remaining faithful.
I support this decision and feel there are many reasons why this decision was correct. One is that according to the BSA's manual, the main goal of the Scouting program is to build moral young men of character.
Having a homosexual as a leader and an example to young Scouts goes against everything the program stands for. BSA should have the right to select leaders who share the morals and ideals of the program.
The Girl Scouts wouldn't want a man to take a group of young women on a camping trip, and I feel the same reasoning would apply in this situation.
Scouts are growing up in a world of changing morals, values and beliefs. If the Scouting program is to maintain its high standards, it must hold to its principles. In order to teach these principles, a leader must be chosen who supports and lives them.
Peter Hilton
Orem