So... is this too obvious or am I missing something.

[demiurgent]

So, as a Boy Scout who is a professed Agnostic (they'll let me know if they strip me of my merit badges, I expect), I've had some interest in the vast shift to the Right of an organization that used to be about teaching boys. And it's horrified and humiliated me to see what has happened with it.

So here's my question.

Why aren't we putting together a new organization? One based on the core ideals of community, tolerance, wisdom, woodcraft and the like? Lord Baden-Powell's writings and manuals are mostly long into the public domain, and are ripe to be adapted.

We could call it Youth Scouting, for both boys and girls. It wouldn't be the enemy of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, but exist along side them -- an alternative that gives all children and young adults a place to learn honor, and courtesy, and how to tie knots they'll never use again.

And yes, to learn Reverence. I learned Reverence with the Boy Scouts. I have never taken it to mean I have to believe in a specific God -- I have always taken it to mean I had to be respectful towards Faith. Which I am. Faith impresses me. I denigrate some of the things done in the name of faith, but I won't ever denigrate the possession of it.

The Boy Scouts don't want us. That's their right. Rather than try to break them down, let's create someone that wants everyone instead.

Comments

[undauntra.livejournal.com]

Why aren't we putting together a new organization? One based on the core ideals of community, tolerance, wisdom, woodcraft and the like? Lord Baden-Powell's writings and manuals are mostly long into the public domain, and are ripe to be adapted.
There already exists such an organization; it's called the Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts welcome all girls - regardless of religion, sexuality, or anything else.

Doesn't do much good for the boys, I'll admit - but you do the Girl Scouts a disservice if you just lump them in with the Boy Scouts and assume that their politics are similar.

[demiurgent.livejournal.com]

Actually, the only mention I made of the Girl Scouts is that the Youth Scouts wouldn't be their enemy. Which is true.

I also agree that the Girl Scouts are a significantly different group. I just think that if we're going to start a new group, there wouldn't be any good reason to restrict its membership to boys.

[undauntra.livejournal.com]

's why I said "if" instead of "when". :)