BSA Leadership Standards Letter

Mr. Downing,

I was in attendance at the leadership standards meeting tonight.  I think it was obvious from the crowd where our Council constituency stands on the issue, and that any policy change allowing open homosexuals in Scouting would result in a large number of Packs and Troops to be dissolved by their sponsoring organizations.  If Councils are already feeling a financial pinch when BSA is only *considering* a policy change, what will happen when half their sponsoring organizations end their relationship with BSA?  How many people will have to lose their jobs then?  How different will it be if only 5% (one PTO) dissolve their Pack?  As you said, either way there will be painful realities to deal with, but which one will be the most devastating?  While BSA is non-sectarian, I believe one gentleman pointed out that 70% of sponsoring organizations are religious in nature, and of those, 70% are conservative.  I believe that number will be much higher here in the Pikes Peak Council.

I am the Wolf Den Leader for Pack 55, sponsored by the Evangelical Christian Academy (ECA), and represent 7 of the 8 families in my den, who have all come to me individually and as a group saying that if the BSA changes their policies regarding homosexuals, we will have no choice but to leave Scouting.  I am glad that ECA's superintendent was there tonight to explain that they are officially waiting to see what policy changes come, but I think he was also clear that a move in the wrong direction would make it very hard for ECA to continue to sponsor the Pack.  I was very serious when I told him, publicly, that there are viable alternatives to the BSA if the BSA abandons its core principles.  (I don't care if there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts being indoctrinated by Planned Parenthood and the liberal Media Matters news organization, my daughter is one of 16,000 American Heritage Girls learning to be a God-honoring, patriotic young woman.)

As was stated tonight, Scouting begins and ends with God.  Scouting's core principles are why we joined, and why I want to see my sons, a 7 year old Wolf and a 3 year old Tiger (don't try to tell him he has to wait until first grade!), go on to earn their Eagles.  I am in Scouting to raise my boys to be God-fearing, patriotic, honest, courageous, upstanding men, but if Scouting abandons the core of those principles and the Source of all that is righteous, holy, and good, how can we stay?  If BSA gives in, it will eventually go the way of the rest of the world.  Instead of being a light in a dark place, raising up the next generation of leaders, the BSA will be just another service organization.  All of the wonderful, proven benefits of Scouting will slowly but surely erode and eventually fade away. 

From a purely practical standpoint, I was glad the Doctor who spoke near the end brought up the statistic that just 3% of the population produces 30-40% of pedophiles.  Homosexuals have significantly higher rates of domestic violence (gay on gay), depression, suicide, drug abuse, alcoholism, venereal diseases, premature death, and the list goes on.  Children raised by homosexual parents have significantly higher rates of depression, suicide, violence and earlier sexual experimentation than children raised by heterosexual parents.  It is not a healthy lifestyle.  Read the studies produced by the homosexual community.  The numbers tell a dire story, but they falsely conclude that their problems are due to discrimination and societal pressure.  We can't deliberately expose our children to a destructive, unhealthy lifestyle, and greatly increased risk of coming into contact with pedophiles.  It is completely irresponsible to do so.

This is all part of an open war by militant homosexuals against traditional morality.  They make no secret that making organizations like the BSA conform to their values, to force the rest of us to accept their immoral, unhealthy and dangerous behaviors as the new normal, is their ultimate goal.  They do not want simple acceptance - to live and let live;  they are working hard to indoctrinate everyone they can and to force us, through argument, legislation, litigation and intimidation, to agree with them.  Please do not give in.  Do not give up.  Stand up for what is right, and for what the BSA has stood for since its founding.  Let them come.  We will take our lumps and fight the good fight, but at least we will be doing what is right.  Don't let Scouting cease to be Scouting.  If it does, we'll have no choice but to look for alternatives.

Respectfully,

Jeff Odegard
Wolf Den Leader

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We have our son in Scouting because we want another way to instill strong character, confidence, and leadership skills in him while making new friends and having fun. Scouting is still conservative. They say the Pledge of Allegiance at every meeting and pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The boys learn to serve their community, learn valuable life lessons and skills, and have positive role models.

Some parents can't afford the uniform and the yearly dues, or to send their kids to summer camps. This is a great opportunity for them too. If you can help out, it would be great!

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