The Jerk Scouts
If you are a compulsive news junkie like I am, you are probably already aware of the would-have-been step in the right direction for the Boy Scouts. For weeks, Brian Williams has been telling me that the ban on gay scouts is on it’s way out–until today! A sudden twist caused the vote to change the offensive rule to be postponed. And it’s all thanks to Bible-thumping protesters who apparently like making people feel bad about themselves.
It’s shocking and appalling to me when I see protests like this. ”Keep Scouts’ Morals Straight” one sign reads. There seems to be increasingly fuzzy line between Biblical rightness and actual moral rightness. Here is a shocker: the Bible isn’t necessarily the authority on morality. I know, blasphemy, but this is a book that also tells us not to get rounded hair cuts or that women can’t be in public when they have their periods. Let’s face it, the Bible was written by different people, and no matter how many times you tell me that it was “inspired by God”, there is obvious contradictions. There is nothing immoral about eating shellfish, yet the Bible tells us not to do it. There is nothing immoral about being a woman, yet still the Bible tells us that they shouldn’t speak in the house of God. These are rule we have waived for the sake of contemporary beliefs, verses easily forgotten. So why can’t ”Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination” Leviticus 18:22 be one of those forgotten?
Think for a moment that last time you had a conservation with someone opposed to Gay rights or marriage. I would say their argument probably featured some sort of “unnatural” facets and then some “Christian values”. I have only heard one argument against Gay marriage that didn’t feature the line “according to my faith…” or “the sanctity of marriage”, and even the logical claim didn’t indicate any immorality.
And on the former point, homosexuality actually occurs in nature. That’s right, mother nature, the supreme ruler of the God’s perfect world. Animals are inherently innocent of sin, without the conscience or higher understanding to decipher right and wrong. Their actions are all considerably “moral”. The kill to live, just like we do, and get down to reproduce, just like we do. They don’t commit murders, they don’t wage wars, they don’t lie or cheat. The follow instincts, the predictable paths ingrained in them, paths innately sinless. So how could something so common in the animal kingdom be immoral? How could it be an “abomination”?
Just for the record, I don’t hate the Bible or Christianity. The message is altogether benevolent and a good rule of thumb to live by. I attended a Catholic school when I was younger, and I feel that I am better for it. It always seemed to obvious to me what Jesus wanted from humanity. It was not hate. It was not discrimination or prejudice. It was extremely simple: Love. He wanted everyone to love everyone. Simple, perfect.
If anyone says, I love God, but hates the brothers or sisters, he is a liar…Whoever loves God must also love the brothers and sisters. I John 3:20, 21
Hey boy scout jerks, that’s Jesus! Can’t argue with that.
I realize that this is my second blog post about gay rights. But I can’t help it. So forgive me if my ranting seems redundant.
Ah yes, how I love to rant about this subject as well. It’s annoying because though I agree with you and I’m sure a myriad of other people do too, we can’t do force them to change their policies due to the fact that they’re a private organization. However, it’s a good sign that they’re discussing lifting the ban. Even though their vote has been pushed back to May at least the fight for equality is forcing them to start changing their ways. The whole banning gays issue with the BSA is oddly similar to their past experience with blacks, isn’t it?
That is what kills me. You would think that the BSA would get with the program by now. I don’t understand why people are okay with being so obvious on the wrong side of history. Oh well, they will all die off eventually and we can do what we want.