Scouting.....What is the purpose and are we putting our kids in danger?

I am a Cub Scout leader in my son's Pack. I have been a Cub Scout leader off and on for several years. My wife and I enjoy the idea of Scouting and love the outdoors. We are both involved in Scouting with Cubs and Girl Scouts. We have girls who would love to be in Cub Scouts rather than Girl Scouts.

Over the years we have thought about the two most prominent scouting groups in the world. How can we have the best of both for boys and girls in the same program? We have looked at various other programs (Earth Scouts, Adventure Scouts, Campfire USA, AWANAS). But the tradition Boy and Girl Scouts have won, at least until we either create a new program or someone else does that allows boys and girls to do scouting together yet retain the true essence of scouting.

In this 100th year for the Boy Scouts, I have done some research into the formation of scouting and specifically the BSA. Robert Baden-Powell started scouting as a result of an unexpected phenomenon. He wrote a book on surviving in the wild based on his experiences in Africa. It was intended for his follow military members. But upon his return to England after a trip to Africa, he found that the young boys of England had taken to his book. He got the idea to use the scout training in his book to teach the boys to be good citizens. He republished the book for young boys and began the scouting movement. His vision was to capture the imagination of the young boys and develop their since of adventure and exploration of the world around them.

A few years later, Boy Scouting had come to the US with the same ideas and purpose. And that purpose is what should be driving the BSA today. With the 100th year anniversary of the BSA, I truly hope that the original vision of scouting is remembered and embraced. Yet I have found a few disturbing issues.

First thing I see is that scouting, (Boys/Girls or both) seem to be for the rich to middle class. The lower class can not afford to get into scouting. I know we are doing it because we believe in it but our kids cannot do everything the pack/troop does. Which sort of hurts them in advancing. Scouting is for everyone. And it should be accessible for all. I am not suggesting that we have a government program to make scouting free for all! Scouting is not for everyone. And that is OK. Not everyone plays football. But to inadvertently exclude a group of people because they don't have or make as much money? It does not line up with Baden-Powell's vision.

Another issue that plagues the Boy Scouts is the issue of pedophiles. There is an unfortunate history of these people with in the ranks of scouting as well as other organization that work with youth. I mean even Facebook has them! Schools have problems. Churches do too. Hospitals, doctors, day cares, and even individual families. The world is full of sin and corruption. What makes scouting different? A mother just sent her adopted Russian son back to Russia with a note saying I cannot care for him anymore. That is abuse, neglect, and more. Yet we do not sue the airline that took him to Russia. We don't sue the state of Tennessee. We go after the mother!

Why do I mention this? Because another item in the news is a trail in Portland, OR concerning a man that was molested at the age of 9. He is now 37 (I am 38). So we are talking over 25 years ago. I DO NOT in ANY way shape of form approve of the man's action that did this to the 9 year old back in 1981. Nor do I condone anyone, male or female that violates a person's body regardless of age. However, the BSA and the local council are both being sued, 29 years later!

There are no statutes of limitations in these cases, however, the BSA has changed A LOT of things since then. Yet, I am sure that it still happens. We have affirmative action plans in place to prevent discrimination in the work place yet it still happens. Our own president created a hostile/sexual work environment in our nation's Oval office! Yet, we are in the new millennium now. And we are above these things! Or are we?

What has the BSA done to protect its youth? Since the early 80's when the above case occurred, BSA has adopted polices that protect youth and leaders. A leader, for example, must never be alone with a scout. there should always be some else there. On over night trips, no leader can sleep with a youth and no youth can sleep alone(without another scout). These are standard practices now. There are also guidelines to how a leader can and should use physical contact with scouts (and other leaders!{unless married to them ;^)}). There is also a background check done.

Another neat thing that is done now is part of what is known as the Bobcat Badge in Cub Scouting (not sure what it is called in Boy Scouts). One of the tasks that is required to get the Bobcat Badge is to go through, with a parent or guardian only, is a Youth Protection lesson. In this lesson, the parent/guardian discusses sexual safety with the young scout (age appropriate!). It gives examples of situations and what should be done. This, in my humble opinion, is an example of how the BSA is taking the responsibility to educate and protect the young boys as much as they can. Does abuse still occur? Yes. Just as having a car alarm does not prevent car theft! But it does reduce it greatly.

Please understand that I would never protect the BSA or any council if they were guilty of neglecting a child's safety (sexual or otherwise!) but neither would I reject the whole group because one guy or lady got through the cracks and did an unthinkable act. I am for the child. First and always.

In conclusion, if the purpose is to encourage and inspire young people using the art of scouting, then we, as parents and leaders should work to maintain that purpose in all we do in scouting and ALWAYS protect those whom we are working for-- the youth.

Can I have a witness?

This past Sunday was Resurection day. Easter for the folks who don't think like me (probably a good thing not to!) My Pastor had asked folks to come up and share testimonies if they felt led to do. I thought about my testimony but did not go forward. I did not feel the need to do so. But I did sit and ponder where I have been.

If I did not go up, why do I mention it? Well, it is because I was supposed just ponder it. Also I wanted to share my testimony of Jesus with any of you who reads this post. Pastor spoke about several atheists and their anger towards God and Christians. He spoke about the "over thinking" (my take on it not his) of the truth. He alluted to scholars and thinkers have a harder time knwing God relationally than the artistic people. I think there is much truth to that. But it is not impossible. Read on.....

I was about 14 when I started learning about various different religions. I was a smart kid. Had made Honor Roll many times already and was even part of the National Junior Honor Society. I don't mention this to boast but to give you the picture of a smart, nerdy kind of kid. There is an undeniable fact, each faith group beleives something different and each opposes the others. At 14, I was astute enough to conclude that all religions can be right because they all seemed to contridict each other. So what did a logically thinker do? Came to the only solution there was, The was no God!

At age 14, I became an atheist. This was in 1985. I was determined to make it on my own. I did not need this "god" or whatever. Religion was merely a set of beleived truths for those who were not mentally or emotionaly stronge enough to handle life on their own. God was for the weak. I was strong. I was smart. I would make it.... on my own!

I have always been an easy going person. Not mean spirited at all. But there was something about Christians that made me mad. I heard one day that the Christians had discovered evidence that some guy named Jesus was hung on a tree and came back to life. The audasity! How could they come back thousands of years later and say that some guy dies in a tree and that proves they are right? How dare they! Man, I was mad! I cussed the church out so much, i would still be eating soap!

I developed bad habits. I had a set of morals for myself and I started out really good. But I began breaking the rules so to speak. When this happened, I merely changed the rules. But the truth was, I was not perfect. i continued to break morals, change them, break them, change them. Mean while, I was hurting people. I cheated, I lied, I was selfish. I was becomeing everything I was trying not to be. I began to truely hate myself.

Don't worry, I did commit suicide. I never even thought it. In fact, suicide was another option only for the weak. And I was strong, remember. I did, however, have an ah ha! moment (or an uh ho!). I got to a point where my logic proved illogical. I reviewed my options. I hated who I had become and for a split second, just a second, I thought of suicide as a means of escape. It scared me. I tried to change. I reset all my rules. I started fresh. But within a month, I was doing the same thing! This time, I did not have many options. I did my best to justify myself. But inside, I knew that I was hurting. I needed true freedom from what I was doing to myself. I logically concluded that I was a failure.

Yes, I was a failure. I had twice failed to sucede. I had no hope. I just began to live as best I could. Finding enjoyment in the little things because my passion had died. But that is where God showed up.

There was a man that I was assigned to work a shift with. It was a night shift so there was a lot of down time. We talked. This guy had a screwed up life too. Maybe he would understand. I never really told him how much of a failure I was. Had to keep that a secret. But I did feel better knowing I was not completely alone. Problem with this guy was that he was a Christian. Oh the debating began! I argued my point, he argued his (while I constantly interupted). Neither convinced the other. But we were still friends.

Still friends? I had to wrap my logical brian around that one. I though religion was for weak people! He was certianly not weak. Yet he put his faith in God. A God I despised (probably because it shone a light on my failure). It was not the man that changed me. It was not the man I sought after for anwers. It was his God. I sought after this God that gave my friend hope.

I began to pray and truely seek Him. There was a hope that I desired. A hope for freedom. A hope for forgiviness. I learned that this God loved me. He also wanted to know me and let me know Him just as this man had done. This guy accepted me, faults and all. His God promised the same.

So I gave my life, fully to Him, God. I trusted in Him. I believed what He said enough to try Him. To test Him. If He was real and I could receive the love and hope He promised, it was well worth the chance. On September 12, 1993, I gave Him my life.

Ever since then I have been growing, struggling and wrestling with Him, but He has forgiven me. I always come before He a winner. I was succeeding, not on my own but because of Him. Because He made me.

You know, it is funny. My wife had long believed that atheist were too far gone to save. They would never believe in God. I am sure that for some that is true. But I know that they can. but it is ONLY through the grace of God. For any atheist out there, there is hope when you are ready for it. He will be waiting.