Freedom From Religion Foundation challenges Boy Scouts’ ban on atheists

[cbayer]

http://www.examiner.com/article/freedom-from-religion-foundation-challenges-boy-scouts-ban-on-atheists

JUNE 25, 2013
BY: MICHAEL STONE


Why is it socially acceptable to discriminate against atheists?
Credits: ffrf.org


The Freedom From Religion Foundation challenges the Boy Scouts of America’s ban on atheists by asking “Why is it socially acceptable to discriminate against atheists?

On June 23, the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) ran a prominent quarter-page ad in the New York Times Sunday Review section opposing the Boy Scouts’ ban on atheists.

The ad condemns the exclusion of atheists by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) while offering congratulations to the Boy Scouts for “lifting its longstanding, hurtful ban against gay membership.”

The following is an excerpt from the advertisement:

BSA’s membership form contains a religious litmus test that defames freethinkers: “The Boy Scouts of America maintain that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God.”

No one can grow into the best kind of citizen who discriminates against the nonreligious. It’s what you do — not what you believe — that makes you a good person and a good citizen. BSA’s vaunted “duty to God” has led it to cruelly place dogma over its duty to children.

The intellectual rejection of claims for which there is no evidence is not only respectable, but vital to progress. What should not be respectable is treating any American, whether young or old, as a second-class citizen.

more at link

[msongs]

1. BSA is a private religious organization. it should NOt get any taxpayer provided benefits however nt

[dimbear]

2. If you know the history of scouting, you know it originated as a feeder for the military.

It's ironic it hasn't kept up with the speed of reform in the military itself.

[cbayer]

3. I did not know that. Shame on them.