Yesterday, Western Journalism linked to an article about the controversy over allowing openly gay boys into the Boy Scouts of America.

It looks like after relentless pressure, the Boy Scouts are caving into the homosexual agenda (which as I will explain later has nothing to do with homosexuality per se.)

This just might be the last straw for me…

First, some background. From 1998 until 2004, I was a proud member of BSA Troop 199 in Oldwick, New Jersey. I made a lot of friends and even acquired a few mentors during my time in the scouts. One of my proudest accomplishments in my 26 years was attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in October 2004. I remember the ceremony as if it was just yesterday. It was a lot of hard work, but it was more than worth it.

I am still in touch with several of my fellow Eagle Scouts (some of whom just might be reading this right now!) And man do we have a strong opinion on what is happening to the program we were privileged to be a part of during our teenage years.

I do know some “scout dads” who will cease any involvement, current or former, with the Boy Scouts should they yield to the gay lobby.

I should also mention (proudly) that I am a theologically and culturally conservative Christian who after attending a more moderate church for 15 years was saved earlier this year after attending an Independent Baptist church for two weeks. I am proud to call Sun Valley Baptist Church in Anthem, Arizona my new home church.

The reason why I am specific in terms of what kind of Christian I am is because sadly, a LOT of Christianity has been watered down in America. Whole denominations are indifferent to traditional marriage, “social justice,” the increasing usurpation of our God-given liberties under multiple recent administrations, and even abortion.

When it comes to marriage, I subscribe strictly to its biblical definition. (To some people, that makes me a “bigot,” an accusation I will proudly wear with a badge of honor.) Why, you may ask? Because God did not create Adam and Steve, nor Alice and Eve. He created Adam and Eve. End of story.

I believe that Christians are to hate sin while at the same time loving the sinner. It is not gays themselves I am opposed to. It is the gay lifestyle, which is shamelessly promoted on television, Hollywood, the rest of the media, and the Democratic Party (this should not suggest that I am any fan of the Republican Party, FYI.) It is specifically promoted as a “normal” lifestyle, which just simply is not true to the many of us Christians who read the Bible for ourselves.

It is not the job of Christians to call them names (i.e. “perverts”, “queers”, or worse.) Unfortunately, some Christians will distract fellow church-goers from the fact that they are sinners by just demonizing gays (or immigrants or Muslims) all the time. These Christians should know better as we are all sinners, whether we like it or not.

The so-called “homosexual agenda” is not about homosexuality. It is not about “equality.” It is about gaining special privileges that straight people do not have (i.e. “hate crime” laws.) What they will end up doing, whether they realize it or not, is direct more animosity towards gays. (And Christians who hate sin yet love sinners at the same time are accused of hating gays?!)

I know of many gays, especially some of my fellow libertarians, who refuse to let their sexual orientation define them. This is a wonderful thing in and of itself. (And did you hear about the gay tea party activist who opposed “marriage equality”?)

If the Boy Scouts do indeed lift this gay ban, they will join the media and Hollywood in saying that “it’s okay to be gay.” Of course, that flies right in the face of the laws of God. I challenge any liberal reading this to show me Biblical truth to the contrary.

And I don’t have any time for such organizations, especially now that I know I am going to Heaven. Nor will my children, should God choose to bless me with them at some point down the road.

It’s not that I am afraid of gays per se. I have a few gay friends and even a gay relative whom I love dearly and pray for. And if one of them invited me to their “wedding ceremony” should he/she decide to get “married”, I would not turn them down (although I know they are committing a sinful act and will be praying for them ASAP after the “festivities” are over with.) It’s just that the gay lifestyle goes against God’s word. That’s the deal breaker for me.

As a libertarian (a very misunderstood term, but that’s for another time) AND a Christian, I believe that one of the best gifts God gave us was the gift of free will (which even includes the freedom to refuse to acknowledge there is a God.) Of course, there are consequences for using this gift the wrong way. But such is the Christian life.

And if gays wanted to start their own program similar to the Boy Scouts in nature, I think they should be more than free to do so, assuming parents of prospective members are comfortable with such a program. But the Boy Scouts has every right to discriminate in this way as they are a private organization.

In fact, I would argue that in a truly free society, it should be the right of ANY business or organization to discriminate based on (dare I say it) race, religion, creed, national origin, or sexual orientation, among pretty much any other basis.

Now I am no racist or bigot, and I would likely refuse myself to patronize any restaurant or business that did discriminate in such a way. But the freedom to discriminate like this should exist nonetheless. Discrimination is a two-way street, after all. Black restaurant owners could refuse to serve KKK members. And gays should be free to not serve anyone they deem is homophobic.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be watching this story like an Eagle…

 

Photo credit: Preston Kemp (Creative Commons)