President of UUA "Disappointed" in Boy Scouts' Response
Letter from the Boy Scouts of America to the
Unitarian Universalist Association,
concerning the Religion in Life Award
May 7, 1998
Ms. Jennifer Harrison
Director, Youth Programs
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02108-2800
Re: Religion in Life
Dear Ms. Harrison:
As you know, the Religious Relationships Committee is responsible for
reviewing the content of the religious award manuals of the various religious
organizations to ensure adherence to Boy Scouts policies. It has come to
our attention that the UUA apparently has been recommending a version of
the Religion in Life manual which was never submitted to or approved by
the Committee for use in obtaining the Unitarian religious award in the
Boy Scouting and Exploring programs.
This version of Religion in Life contains several statements which are
inconsistent with Scouting’s values. Boy Scouts is not a “secular organization”
as stated in Religion in Life; Boy Scouts is an ecumenical organization
which requires belief in God and acknowledgement of duty to God by its
members. The reference to the “trouble” some Unitarians Universalists may
have regarding the duty to God inappropriately incorporates doubt in an
award process that is designed to forge a stronger link between a youth’s
Scouting values and religious life.
We note with considerable dismay that this version of Religion in Life
also includes an official expression of disapproval of Boy Scouts’ membership
policies relating to known or avowed homosexuals. The Committee believes
that this expression of disapproval has no place in a Boy Scouting/Exploring
youth religious award manual.
The current version of Religion in Life does not adhere to Scouting
policies and is inappropriate for distribution to Scouting youth in connection
with the administration of the Religion in Life religious award. Until
such time as the UUA materials can be redrafted to a form acceptable to
the Committee, youth may not be awarded a Unitarian Universalist religious
emblems in Scouting or wear the emblem on a Scout uniform. This includes
the Love and Help emblem as well.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Ray Smith, Ph.D
Chair, Religious Relationships Committee
Boy Scouts of America
Response from Rev. John Buehrens to the
BSA, June 11, 1998.
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