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Anti-Gay Boy Scouts Policy |
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Compiled By GayToday
The General Board of Church and
Society of The United Methodist Church adopted a
Statement on October 10 opposing the anti-gay policies of the
Boy Scouts. The general board is known to
"speak its convictions, interpretation, and
concerns to the Church and to the World."
The statement reads: "Since its inception in 1910, over eighty-seven million youth and adults have joined the Boy Scouts of America. Churches sponsor 62 percent of Boy Scout troops, or 55 percent of all boys in scouting at all age levels. The United Methodist Church sponsors 11,738 units, accounting for 421,579 boys in scouting.
"The Social Principles further states: "Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for homosexual persons." (Para. 66H) "The General Board of Church and Society affirms the decision of the New Jersey Supreme Court in the case James Dale v. Boy Scouts of America that ruled the Boy Scouts of America is discriminatory in its exclusion of gays. We further, for the sake of our continuing partnership, call upon the Boy Scouts of America to discontinue this exclusion of gays." |
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