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The Secular Coalition for America urges Congress to bar the use of federal funds to assist any organization that discriminates based on religion. The Boy Scouts of America openly practices discrimination against atheists and other nontheists. The "Declaration of Religious Principle" found in BSA's organization's bylaws must be agreed to by every participant, volunteer, or employee. This declaration states that "no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God...The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."
Government support of religious discrimination in the Boy Scouts
Thu, 04/02/2009Neil Polzin joined the Boy Scouts when he was nine years old. At age eighteen Neil was awarded his Eagle Scout badge. For nine years, Neil Polzin worked for the Boy Scouts of America organization as an Aquatics Director for a Boy Scout camp. Read more »
Can the Obamas Help the Boy Scouts See the Light?
Mon, 03/09/2009
With reports indicating President Obama will accept the traditional role of honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America, the Secular Coalition calls on him to use his power to move the Boy Scouts beyond their "traditional values" and to practice the American values of diversity and tolerance. The Coalition also hopes the First Lady, likely to become Girl Scouts' honorary president, uses her position to promote that group's enlightened embrace of diversity.
March 9, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
You and the First Lady have been invited to become Honorary Presidents of the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts of America, respectively; this gives each of you an opportunity to advance our national conversation about diversity and tolerance. Read more »
Will Obama Endorse Boy Scouts' Discriminatory Practices?
Tue, 01/13/2009The Boy Scouts of America traditionally ask the President of the United States to act as honorary president of their organization. The Secular Coalition for America has joined with 18 other major nontheistic groups asking President-elect Obama to decline the invitation because it would be an endorsement of the Scouts' explicit policy of discriminating against nontheistic Americans. Read more »
