LDS Freedom Forum

In a statement released in support of Black Lives Matter, the Boy Scouts of America said it will require Eagle Scouts to earn a diversity and inclusion badge. It'll examine its own role in perpetuating racism, too.

The organization, which also condemned the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, said it "has not been as brave as we should have been" when it comes to calling out racism.

"The Boy Scouts of America stands with Black families and the Black community because we believe that Black Lives Matter," the organization said in a letter on Scoutingwire, the organization's official blog. "This is not a political issue; it is a human rights issue and one we all have a duty to address."

Now, scouts must earn a diversity and inclusion merit badge to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts program. The new badge will build on existing programs that require scouts to "engage with other groups and cultures."

ammodotcom wrote: ↑May 24th, 2021, 11:18 pm We need to start a new, analogous organization. Basically the same thing the Scouts were in 1910.

gradles21 wrote: ↑May 25th, 2021, 6:26 am I was under the impression that when we left the BSA, we had something to replace it with that would be better. Nothing could be further from the truth, twice a month they go to the church and play games, that's it. The church has really screwed the pooch on this issue.

Reluctant Watchman wrote: ↑May 25th, 2021, 5:21 am

ammodotcom wrote: ↑May 24th, 2021, 11:18 pm We need to start a new, analogous organization. Basically the same thing the Scouts were in 1910.

I was a Scoutmaster 4 different times. There are some wonderful aspects to the program. One thing I would remove is the emphasis on awards. I know we all like to show off our little badges and neckerchiefs, but it takes over in many instances.

One of my favorite things to do was camp every month. I did this for almost 10 years consecutively, rain, snow or shine. There are few things that can replace taking young men out into nature and have them explore God's playground. And my favorite part of camping was the evening fireside, no lengthy sermons, just some good old conversation about our place in the universe. I miss those days on occasion.