Boy Scouts and the Salvation Army

CRISIS Magazine - e-Letter

December 6, 2004

**********************************************

Dear Friend,

I apologize for not writing last week... we're in the midst of
getting the next issue of Crisis ready to go do the printer and I was
completely swamped.

But I want to take a break from that for a few minutes to give you a
quick update on the two stories I told you about in my last email.

First, you'll recall that thanks to the hard work of the American
Civil Liberties Union (and the Pentagon that gave in to their
demands), U.S. military bases can no longer sponsor Boy Scout
troops.

Several readers sent me a recent Pentagon clarification statement
that says, in part, "[The Department of Defense] may not officially
sponsor Boy Scout units and DOD personnel may not sponsor Boy Scout
units in an official capacity. The settlement does not prohibit the
Department of Defense from supporting the Boy Scouts of America. Boy
Scout units are permitted to meet on military bases, and military
personnel are allowed to remain active in Boy Scout programs."

While it's good to have the Pentagon state clearly that Scouts can
still meet on military bases -- just like any other group -- and that
members of the military can still take part in Scout activities,
neither point was ever seriously disputed.

The main problem with the statement is that it addresses two
non-issues while breezing past the main point: Military bases can no
longer sponsor Scout troops -- a change that affects over 400 troops.
The role of a sponsor is an important one: They're responsible for
giving direction to their troop, as well as signing off on its adult
leadership. Furthermore, they often help the troop find a place to
meet (though this isn't required) and act as a driving force behind
the group.

The good news is that, in practical terms, the Scouts will be able
to work around this latest hurdle. Sponsorships will be transferred
from military bases to other affiliated groups. And so the troops
will continue.

But it's a shame that they'll have to jump through these hoops. The
Scouting program is wonderfully successful at turning boys into
responsible, honest, and upright men. I saw this firsthand growing up
on a military base in Frankfurt, Germany. There, the Scouts provided
formation and companionship for a host of young men -- especially
when their fathers were away.

I was myself a Boy Scout for a short time, though no one was
disappointed when I left. I'd gotten bored with the camping
activities and realized that I didn't mix well with nature. My Scout
master, for his part, wasn't happy with the results from the
flammability experiments I'd carried out on some of his camping
equipment. (A quick tip: Just because something is labeled "Flame
Resistant" doesn't necessarily make it so.)

While my own experience wasn't as positive as it might have been,
the fault for that was entirely my own. For the vast majority of
Scouts, the program is a life-changer.

You'll also recall that in my last email to you, I mentioned that
the Target store chain was no longer allowing the Salvation Army to
collect for their charities in front of Target stores. In the letter,
I also waxed nostalgic a bit about the bell-ringers themselves --
American institutions that they are.

Well, it seems the Salvation Army may not be as traditional and
values-oriented as they once were. Indeed, shortly after I sent out
my last e-letter, a couple readers let me know that the Salvation
Army -- as a denomination -- allowed abortion. This was a bit hard
for me to believe, since I've long considered them a conservative
Evangelical group.

But sadly, I can report that my friends were correct. Here's the
relevant quote from the Salvation Army's website:

"Termination of a pregnancy may be justified in those rare instances
where, in the judgment of competent medical and allied staff, the
pregnancy poses a serious threat to the life of the mother or could
result in serious physical injury to the mother and in those
instances of proven rape or legally defined incest or where reliable
diagnostic procedures determine that a fetal anomaly is present which
is incompatible with post natal survival or where there is total or
virtual absence of cognitive function."

While this unfortunate fact doesn't diminish the real and concrete
good the Salvation Army does with their many charitable efforts, you
should nevertheless be fully informed about the groups to whom you
give money.

I'm sorry to end on a down note, but I did want to get that
information out to you.

I'll talk to you again at the end of the week.

All the best,

Brian



***** LEARN THE REAL CAUSE OF THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH *****

Sex abuse scandals... irreverent liturgies... homosexuality in the
seminaries... liberal theology preached from the pulpit...

You know all about the crisis in the Church. But you've never heard
the full story. When did the collapse in the Church occur... and what
REALLY caused it?

Fr. Benedict Groeschel knows. He was there when it happened... 10
years BEFORE Vatican II.

What he saw will surprise you.

Click here to learn more:

http://www.crisismagazine.com/products.htm

[Cut and paste into your browser if the link isn't active]

**************************************************************

To subscribe to the FREE CRISIS Magazine e-Letter, and get the
latest
news, views, and responses to current issues, send an e-mail to
e-letter@crisismagazine.com and write "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject
line.

**************************************************************

To learn more about CRISIS Magazine, visit
http://www.crisismagazine.com/subscribe.htm

**************************************************************

If you no longer wish to receive the CRISIS e-Letter, please send an

e-mail to mail@crisismagazine.com and write "CANCEL" in the subject

line.

**************************************************************

To change your e-mail address, please send an e-mail to
mail@crisismagazine.com with "ADDRESS CHANGE" in the subject line.
Please make sure to tell us your old and new e-mail addresses, so we
can
make the change.

**************************************************************

Please forward this letter to anyone you think might benefit from
it.