Here is the statement released less than an hour ago (11 am EST) from the BSA:
For 103 years, the Boy Scouts of America has been a part of the fabric of this nation, providing it’s youth program of character development and values-based leadership training. In the past two weeks, Scouting has received an outpouring of feedback from the American public. It reinforces how deeply people care about Scouting and how passionate they are about the organization.
After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the Scouting family, along with comments from those outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of this issue, the organization needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.
To that end, the National Executive Board directed its committees to further engage representatives of Scouting’s membership and listen to their perspectives and concerns. This will assist the officers’ work on a resolution on membership standards. The approximately 1,400 voting members of the National Council will take action on the resolution at the National Annual Meeting in May 2013.
Probably the right decision for the BSA for now.
Yes, no matter the outcome, I appreciate the thoughtful and serious manner in which the decision is being made.
“Yes, no matter the outcome, I appreciate the thoughtful and serious manner in which the decision is being made.”
Funny, it looked to me like BSA was trying to railroad opponents of the measure by announcing the vote only a few days before it happened, and by springing it on them in the media where they knew the conservatives would be fighting a losing battle. I’m glad it didn’t work, but this looks to me like a classic grass roots-vs.-elite battle.
Agree MC. That is how it always happens, but the battle isn’t over yet. My guess is they are hoping to take tactic number two; wait in the hopes people forget and then spring it on them again from “smoked filled” rooms.
If worse comes to worse, I’m pretty sure God’s true church will survive without BSA. It would be a sad parting however.
I am thankful for 2-deep leadership. When the rules are followed, everyone stays safe.
Sad for some, some of us have prayed for it.
I agree Silver Rain. It is so much easier to partiscipate in a BSA unit of choice, with those who want to do the program.
I can understand not liking the Church’s affiliation with the BSA. I’ve wondered whether it is worthwhile myself.
But praying for it to end? It’s that bad? I don’t want to spark an off-topic debate, but I don’t get the scouting-haters.
Yes, it’s that bad. But I don’t want to threadjack that way here.
Fair enough.
I’m not sad, but indifferent. But I know it is sad for those who love the program such as President Monson and others. My personal feelings about Scouting would be more appropriate at another time or post.
Ok. Someone please start another scouting post about the relationship between BSA and the church.
I know Book. I would do it, but I am much to beat up over the issue. I have a testimony of the Gospel and the Church and Scouting. Suffice it to say, in some wards mixing scouts and church is something akin to mixing oil and water.