Confusion, controversy, and media explosion is rampant since the Boy Scouts of America has announced its changes in it policies about homosexuals and transgender. Sides were taken quickly as feminist, transgender and homosexuals rejoice at this change, while some Christians are up in arms with what is happening to the organization that they support. The most recent news is the BSA's choice to change their policy on how they recognize gender for their more gender exclusive groups like Boy scouts and girl scouts. They had changed it from Identifying how the children are born as on their both certificates to instead what their birth certificate say they identify their gender as. This allows children like Joe Maldonado, who is a boy who was born a female, to join the cub pack that they want to. Originally when the cub pack 20 had found out that Joe was a transgender they had banned him. However, with this new policy Joe can join the pack with no problems at all. The feminist/transgender people were up in arms at first viewing this ban as discrimination against them. However, when the policy was made they were rejoiced that now it is no longer a problem of discrimination.
Some Christians are really up in arms about this because transgenderism is something that they cannot support, which is what this new policy is making them do. Just as their argument of "God hates the gays" backed their reasoning to not let the homosexuals in to Scouting, "God hates evil, He hates Perversion" is their new argument. These Christians take verses from the Bible out of context and say here is proof of our values and why we say what we say. There are also some churches who have stopped supposing the Boy Scouts because of their choice to include transgender children in their programs. In the middle of these two sides is the Christians who think a little less drastically about this choice that BSA has made. I am one of these Christians and I think that the Christians who are saying "God hates (insert minority here)" are wrong. God does not hate anyone he instead hates what is against him which is homosexuality and transgenderism. I think that even though these things are wrong we should still allow the children to have a chance. Being a Christian supported organization, BSA should be able to reach into these children's lives and make an impact on them. So as one of these Christians am I entirely for the feminist, homosexuals, and transgender people, no not entirely I do not agree with their life choices, however, I am in no place to deny them their right to join the Boy Scouts. And for the other side the more "radical" Christians I cannot support what they say either because what they say does not truly represent my values.
I appreciate your sincerity here. Remember that our assignment is not about evaluating the persuasive claims of any organization in light of our own values, but rather as a matter of strategic decisions. An objective discussion of any controversy will yield to a discussion of the competing narratives. Already here, however, you have identified a number of diverse narratives that stem from this development.
ReplyDeleteFirst, as an objective analyst, be careful about attributing an attitude to an entire group via broad generalization. Perhaps "some Christians" may argue that "God hates (insert minority here)" but has that segment of the public influenced the BSA's decision about this? And, have arguments about the BSA's decision been asserted due to the interpretation that "God hates (insert minority here)"?
Second, would you say that the BSA controversy merely conflates with every other effort to apply dogmatic religious values to any public organization? Just as with women or with any ethnic group, it is unfair to assume that "Christians" exist as a homogeneous group - with every individual holding the same values to the same degree. Is this controversy about the appropriateness and consistency of Christian values? Or is it about the background of those who would be put into a position of social authority over children (background checks and what would be disqualifying)?
Third, because the BSA is such an iconic organization, they should have more awareness of how their public image impacts their effectiveness. Is this recent development in response to what the involved parents - or kids - actually want? A group like this doesn't make hasty decisions in a vacuum; and so can this latest controversy simply be the next obvious step to a policy decision made some time ago?
This is a good topic. Be more precise in the way you define the issues being debated here. Be more careful in the way you relate this conflict to other, relevant debates.