THE DEFINING MOMENT OF THE BOY SCOUTS
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THE DEFINING MOMENT OF THE BOY SCOUTS
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It’s one of the saddest, most predictable “I-told-you-so” moments of our generation. The Boy Scouts, where future moon walkers and presidents learned the virtues and value of leadership, has finally collapsed. Turns out, the decade of compromise hasn’t been kind to the Scouts, who turned in their moral compass seven years ago to chase the approval of critics it could never win. Now, deep into the BSA’s self-imposed identity crisis, the group is filing for bankruptcy — an unhappy ending we all warned was coming.
How do you feel about the fall of the Boy Scouts? Leave a comment.
For those who knew the Scouts through their proud and honorable days, the demise has been slow and painful. But this is what comes of throwing up your hands on a century of conviction: irrelevance and, ultimately, insolvency. For 103 of its 110 years, the Boy Scouts were a pillar of principle — not that it was easy. As most of us know, the fight to live out your beliefs in this world can be an exhausting one. The Scouts spent years in court just for the freedom to stick to their moral code. They won — but to the organization’s dismay — the battle didn’t end. Waves of LGBT activists kept coming. The pressure built and built until finally, in 2013, under the leadership of Rex Tillerson, headquarters gave into the lie that compromise would be their salvation. Seven years later, the irony is: there’s nothing left to save.
More than a half-decade into this radical experiment, the group that counted Martin Luther King, Jr., George W. Bush, and Buzz Aldrin as members is barely recognizable. A handful of local councils have managed to squeak by on solid reputations, but after the organization opened its arms to kids and leaders who identify as gay or transgender, membership became anemic. Then in a failed effort to fill the ranks they began recruiting girls, which not only angered its base — but pitted the organization in a legal war with Girl Scouts USA. Now, a program that used to be America’s finest, is knee-deep in Chapter 11. . .
Right now, too many churches, Christian colleges, even businesses are dangerously close to making the same mistake. They’re so desperate or fearful — or both — that they’re willing to water down who they are to protect the small space they’re standing on. There’s just one problem: the gospel’s truth isn’t up for negotiation. And in their rush to soften the blow of its confrontation, some believers are selling out their identity as followers of Jesus.
Christians in Paul’s time were no different. Like humans throughout history, they craved acceptance. “I am astonished,” he wrote to the Galatians, “that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel — which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ… Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? …If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
The Boy Scouts wandered so far away from who they are that by the end of 2016, they even dropped their most defining characteristic: boys. In the end, it ruined them.
That’s the destiny of any Christian who takes the naïve view that world can be placated.
It can’t. True love, I Corinthians 13:6 tells us, is truth. It’s being salt and light in a draining, hostile, unforgiving culture. “Come out from them and be separate,” Paul urged, because he understands that in the end, it’s not our sameness with the world that transforms people. It’s our distinction of standing on truth in their midst. That may not be easy — but, as the Boy Scouts are finding out, it’s a whole lot better than the alternative.
(Excerpt from The Family Research Council. Article by Tony Perkins.)
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They have become a disgrace to this country and are definitely not the above board group they were when I was growing up. What a shame!
I was a scout as a boy and really enjoyed the experience and acquired many useful skills. As an adult, I served in almost every position in the Cub Scouts and in the Boy Scouts. I have two sons that were scouts; one a Life Scout and the outer is an Eagle Scout. During all of my time with the scouts I saw no abuse nor did I hear of any. With that being said, I am not defending the BSA, In fact I am very opposed to them now! When they embraced the LGBT life style, I resigned from all positions and was instrumental in closing one Troup. They need to be closed down! By the way there is a replacement for the BSA it is Trail Life USA… check it out.
When we lose our identity we lose our way.
When children are molested and cover-ups take place, sometimes God intervenes and closes the doors. It rains on the just and the unjust but these horrible pedophiles should never have been protected by this organization. We tried to get legislation passed in Georgia, that holds these entities accountable for these horrible atrocities, but some of the senators happened to be on the boards or affiliated with the Boy Scouts so it didn’t make it which is so sad, but God is paying attention! I’m sure many, even my son had great times but when kids are subjected to molestation by leaders, it’s time to say, NO MORE!
Boy Scouts are NOT shutting down — the organization is re-organizing in the face of financial pressures!
We’re part of a Christian homeschool Troop that is uncompromising in teaching our young people Christian principles from God’s Word in accordance with Founder Sir Robert Baden Powell’s statements that:
–“Scouting is to be applied Christianity,” and
–“When you have a decision to make, consider what JESUS CHRIST would have done, and do that.”
LESSONS we must learn: 1) PROTECT our youth from all forms of evil (esp. sexual predation), which was not largely understood until more recent years), 2) Do NOT ALLOW COMPROMISED LEADERS (like evildoer REX TILLERSON) to gain power and push the LGBTQ agenda (which SCOTUS had already decided the BSA was NOT required to assimilate), and 3) if COMPROMISE comes to your Scout Pack or Troop, FIGHT IT, STAND for JESUS and His Word, and IF anti-Biblical forces prevail, THEN move to a FULLY CHRIST-CENTERED organization like “TRAIL LIFE.”
Having three EAGLE SCOUT SONS in my home, I say this with tears in my eyes!!!
ALSO, REMEMBER that it is largely the CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY’s FAULT WHENEVER we stand SILENTLY BY, saying and doing NOTHING, while EVIL advances. THE BIBLE says that SILENCE equals AGREEMENT with whatever is presently being said or done!!
MANY have known for years about various INCURSIONS of EVIL into the AMAZING (and originally CHRIST-CENTERED) BOY SCOUT organization, BUT THEY DID NOTHING (and God will hold them / us accountable for REMAINING SILENT in the face of WICKED ATTACKS on this young-man-Christian-mentoring organization!
Have you ever considered Trail Life USA? I am also a father of an Eagle scout and have spent more that 20 serving in various positions in the BSA, but I had to leave when they embraced the gay lifestyle. I understand you think that you are insulated from the evils of the scouts, but they support what the Bible calls sin. Any money that you send to the BSA supports an organization that has embraced a perverse lifestyle makes you guilty as well. When you support an organization you support all that it stands for. As Christian and a pastor I can no longer support the BSA.
Thanks for you comments, Harold. I’ve been a BSA leader for many many years, and PTL I have three Eagle Scout sons (one is aged out, one ages out in June, and one has three years to go). Our Troop IS insulated from the evils that you and I have seen, and loathed, in Boy Scouts-at-large.
I agree with you that, should the Lord Jesus Christ delay in returning, that my sons will likely raise their sons in TRAIL LIFE, which we have actively promoted to those who are not blessed to be part of a truly Christian homeschool Troop, where every member family must: 1) be personally referred to join the Troop as being Biblically obedient, 2) swear / commit to a Biblical standard of conduct in all areas (going into the future, forever).
Here’s a KEY QUESTION for YOU and ME and ALL who have seen and hated the decline of Boy Scouts from its lofty Christian founding and principles:
WHAT DID YOU / I / WE DO TO ACTIVELY STAND UP FOR JESUS AND HIS PRINCIPLES (via emails, calls, letters, rallies) WHEN THE BATTLE WAS RAGING (in 2013) REGARDING WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW OPENLY HOMOSEXUAL SCOUTS into BSA? I DID THEM ALL (perhaps with the exception of letter writing) to let BSA national and district leadership KNOW my strong support for the BSA OATH and Biblical principles.
SADLY, MANY self-described Christians routinely REMAIN SILENT and FAIL UTTERLY to “raise the voices” to stand for Jesus and His principles, in this case, to stand for the SCOUT OATH, “…to keep myself… morally straight.”
(Is is COWARDICE or just LAZY APATHY (taking our God-given liberty and Biblical foundation for granted)?? NUM. 30:4 tells us that “silence equals agreement,” and REV. 21:8 give STRONG WARNING against cowardice.)
THEN, these same SILENT HYPOCRITES are the first to YELL and SCREAM, AND DEPART BSA abruptly (after the decision is made to allow openly homosexual participation); HOW DARE THEY blame the BSA when they themselves (as part of the BSA organization) DID NOTHING to lovingly STAND UP to PROTECT BSA from moral corruption!! WHAT?!!
* * * BIG TAKE-AWAY: Many Christians, though saved in Jesus Christ alone, will be HELD ACCOUNTABLE if they FAILED to STAND UP for JESUS, HIS NAME (Matt. 10:32-33), and HIS PRINCIPLES when they had the chance. MAY God inspire many in the church to “GET UP off of their lazy, apathetic, cowardly, “PC” bottoms and STAND UP for JESUS, BOLDLY SPEAKING TRUTH IN LOVE!
THANK YOU for your “reply” to my Email, and perhaps you’ll choose to TEACH from the pulpit about the CHRISTIAN DUTY to lovingly STAND UP for JESUS and HIS PRINCIPLES in every area, and NOT remain silent (as Jesus clearly was not a “pacifist” but rather a truth-speaking peace-maker).
BTW, whatever happened to the singing of the classic Christian Hymn, “ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS?” Does your church sing this hymn? If we did, AND pastors taught from the pulpit about STANDING FIRM, in love, for JESUS and HIS PRINCIPLES, then we might seem more Christianity-advancing bold involvement in this vital “public” arena.
–Blessings and love and hope in Christ,
Mark Matta
I prayed. I spoke. I spoke to a Scout Leader. I spoke to the Cub Scout Scout Master. He took it to the Area Council. They did nothing. I spoke to the Boy Scout Scout Master. He took it to the Area Council. They did nothing. … Lord, please forgive them, help them, and heal them. Once again, thankful for Trail Life USA now.
All my boys were boy scouts and our youngest an eagle scout. We are thankful to the institution for the values and principles they instilled in them, the fine leadership and values they supported parents with in a time of change was invaluable.Thank you for all you have done to support the raising up of fine you men.
I pray that God would raise up another and stronger BSA. Thank you God for helping your human family survive all persecution. And that God will perform a new work in our families and communities. I also pray for revival and strength of the family as that it is the breakdown of the FAMILY that has caused much of this upstream problem flowing downstream.
Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers.
My son was in Boy Scouts in the ’80’s. It was a very valuable, wholesome experience for us. The Scout leaders were awesone. One a deacon. The camp experiences were awesome. He took the training into everyday life and is successful today. He was working on his Eagle but he didnt complete (wish he had), because he went for H.S. basketball were he was DC successful and flourished. God bless!
O Lord, we humble ourselves and pray and seek Your Face. Hear us, O Lord, and heal our broken land. And, Father, heal the heart and soul of every boy scout who was attacked by the enemy during the fall from the Truth & godly values that had defined the Boy Scouts. Rescue them and deliver them from every lie. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. AMEN
So sad! So pathetic! I myself was a Cub Scout some 60 years ago when it was an honorable organization. Service to God and Country was one of their mottos. I would never join it today in any capacity.
My brother was a Eagle Scout in the 70s. It has been a slow fade with compromise
Maybe the demise of the Boy Scouts was the point all along. The secular left is against anything that might breed more faith, family or patriotism into the culture. What better way than to bring down the premier organization known for building character and integrity into the lives of young men, future husbands, fathers and leaders of communities? Women of virtue are starved for men of character. See Trail Life USA.
Psalm 27:The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation
Psalm 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
2
When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall. Amen.
My 3 sons went through the program and are Eagle Scouts. It was sad to watch things change during their time in scouts. Thankful for the people of “Trail Life USA” – that came about from Godly men standing for truth and righteousness and creating a Christ Centered program instead. May God bless them for doing that. Lord, please forgive us, help us, and heal our land!
Psalm 27:Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
4
One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire[c] in his temple.
5
For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.
6
And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8
You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
9
Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation! Amen.
The Boy Scouts have lost big time! And it doesn’t matter to the “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
We see here the warning of Jesus: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
The sad truth is that we all lose. The warning is for all of us who understand that we are more than
social beings; we are spiritual and moral beings as well. Let us pray for All the Boys we know, support and encourage them. “Let the Church be the Church!”
Psalm 27:Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12
Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.
13
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! Amen.
Yours truly cannot say it any better than these who have posted before me. As God made Adam and Eve giving them the breath of life He can raise up new organizations for boys and men who center upon Jesus Christ. May He do so now and even more, in Jesus name, amen.
Psalm 35L Great Is the Lord
Of David.
35 Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me!
2
Take hold of shield and buckler
and rise for my help!
3
Draw the spear and javelin
against my pursuers!
Say to my soul,
“I am your salvation!”
4
Let them be put to shame and dishonor
who seek after my life!
Let them be turned back and disappointed
who devise evil against me!
5
Let them be like chaff before the wind,
with the angel of the Lord driving them away!
6
Let their way be dark and slippery,
with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!
7
For without cause they hid their net for me;
without cause they dug a pit for my life.[b]
8
Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it!
And let the net that he hid ensnare him;
let him fall into it—to his destruction!
9
Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,
exulting in his salvation. Amen.
This week, the Lord gave me a word during prayer: “Monetary Collapse”. Then I saw a large ship…multi-level and huge. I heard, “The rats will jump ship.” I saw that happen. I then saw huge angels land on the ship and with little effort, they did a course correction and turned the ship around. It was smooth sailing from then on out. I am now wondering if the ship I saw was the Boy Scouts and the monetary collapse is the bankruptcy…which will cause the rats to jump ship. Then the angels of God will come and regain the purposes of God for this organization and do the course correction.
My sons have profited from the mentoring and formation that the Boy Scouts has provided them. When fathers are disconnected and not providing this for their families, the Boy Scouts fills a huge gap. We are part of a historic Boy Scout troop in a traditional state…where men are still fulfilling their roles in leadership. I pray that He do as only He can do, to bring about His will for this important organization.
Psalm 35:All my bones shall say,
“O Lord, who is like you,
delivering the poor
from him who is too strong for him,
the poor and needy from him who robs him?”
11
Malicious witnesses rise up;
they ask me of things that I do not know.
12
They repay me evil for good;
my soul is bereft.Amen.
There is a undercover Movement in this country to destroy male leadership qualities in our culture. We see the fatherless generation abounding and the lack of fathers as leaders. BSA was one of the most important contributors to this cherished tradition.
Psalm 35:But I, when they were sick—
I wore sackcloth;
I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.
14
I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;
as one who laments his mother,
I bowed down in mourning.
15
But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;
they gathered together against me;
wretches whom I did not know
tore at me without ceasing;
16
like profane mockers at a feast,[f]
they gnash at me with their teeth.
17
How long, O Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their destruction,
my precious life from the lions!
18
I will thank you in the great congregation;
in the mighty throng I will praise you.Amen.
I am grieved in spirit about what has happened with the Boy Scouts of America. We have three sons who all became Eagle Scouts, which was considered an honor and meant something when they applied to colleges, jobs, etc. As I have watched the demise of this organization, I have prayed for a turnaround. But it is true, when we compromise with the world, we open ourselves up to even greater bondage because the enemy seeks only to kill, steal and destroy. I now have grandsons who are in Boy Scouts, and I’m praying that they will find a viable alternative to experience things that are good for them. Lord, have mercy on the children of America.
Psalm 35: Let not those rejoice over me
who are wrongfully my foes,
and let not those wink the eye
who hate me without cause.
20
For they do not speak peace,
but against those who are quiet in the land
they devise words of deceit.
21
They open wide their mouths against me;
they say, “Aha, Aha!
Our eyes have seen it!”
22
You have seen, O Lord; be not silent!
O Lord, be not far from me!
23
Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication,
for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24
Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,
according to your righteousness,
and let them not rejoice over me!
25
Let them not say in their hearts,
“Aha, our heart’s desire!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”
26
Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
who magnify themselves against me!
27
Let those who delight in my righteousness
shout for joy and be glad
and say evermore,
“Great is the Lord,
who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
28
Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
and of your praise all the day long. Amen.
If interested, they can look into “Trial Life USA” as a Christ-centered alternative.
Thank you. I will pass it on to others I know whose sons are in the Boy Scouts.
My husband grew up in boy scouts but when they sold their souls to the devil my husband said our boys will not ever join this group. So, I started researching christian alternatives.the one I found is called Trail Life USA and the motto, “walk worthy”. My husband and boys are members and enjoy it so much.
Psalm 37: He Will Not Forsake His Saints
Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
be not envious of wrongdoers!
2
For they will soon fade like the grass
and wither like the green herb.
3
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.[b]
4
Delight yourself in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
6
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday. Amen.
When you sell out to the world, and take God out you will not stand!
Father I pray they would be transformed by your word of truth and righteousness!
May they seek God and turnaround and walk in truth!
In jesus name!
They announced on the news that this will not affect Sam Houston chapter here in Houston Region. My son-in-law also was a Eagle Scout. I imagine it hurts him knowing our grandson willnever follow in his dads footsteps.
If interested, they can look into “Trial Life USA” as a Christ-centered alternative.
Psalm 37:Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,over the man who carries out evil devices!
8
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
10
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
12
The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
13
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
14
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
15
their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken. Amen.
This is so sad, I agree. My brother, who recently passed away, was a Eagle Scout and carried the values and the character of that accomplishment to the end of his days. Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly. John 10:10 It is plain to see who moved in on the BSA to rob the moral goodness and manly strength for which it stood and was able to instill into the lives of boys as they grew up.
We need to wake up and move a wing , open our mouths and make a peep BEFORE the enemy is able to rob the nest of our riches (our children and our Godly inheritances). Just say NO! It is a powerful word against the wiles of the enemy!!
I was a boy scout I had good time learning outdoor skills, camping, canoes and other things. LGBT seeks invade our culture. They want our kids because they can’t produce thier own
Psalm 37:Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.
17
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
18
The Lord knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will remain forever;
19
they are not put to shame in evil times;
in the days of famine they have abundance.
20
But the wicked will perish; the enemies of the Lord are like the glory of the pastures; they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.Amen.
So true.
Love, without truth, is really not love at all.
May the church be bold to rise to truth and no longer hide
behind a veil only ”love”. For the church is following the same path of BSA if we don’t stand for ALL of the gospel. LGBT is not going to let up. BSA was just their training ground…
We ARE to look different to the world… silence is easier but is that what we are called to?
May we stand strong in Jesus, the one who always delivered LOVE AND TRUTH together.
John 1:17 For the law came through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Psalm 37: The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives;
22
for those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
23
The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24
though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
25
I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.
26
He is ever lending generously,
and his children become a blessing.
27
Turn away from evil and do good;
so shall you dwell forever.
28
For the Lord loves justice;
he will not forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29
The righteous shall inherit the land
and dwell upon it forever.Amen.
I am saddened to see this happen. Jesus died on the cross for us to keep this kind of thing from happening. Clearly the division that the word of God said would happen is here. Persecution will come and we must stand for truth or we too will fall.
Psalm 37: The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31
The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
32
The wicked watches for the righteous
and seeks to put him to death.
33
The Lord will not abandon him to his power
or let him be condemned when he is brought to trial.
34
Wait for the Lord and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on when the wicked are cut off.
35
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man,
spreading himself like a green laurel tree.[d]
36
But he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
though I sought him, he could not be found.
37
Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
38
But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the future of the wicked shall be cut off. Amen.
How incredibly sad! I’m so sorry they fell for the lies of the world instead of the truth of God. Praying for hearts to be turned back to God and lies to be exchanged for truth, regardless of where they go from here.
Psalm 35:39 The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
40 The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him. Amen.