The recent membership change by the BSA is a speck in the eye. Our Synod needs to address the log-in-the-eye issue. The BSA has mixed elements of the Kingdom of the Right (faith) and the Kingdom of the left (secular world) and wrapped it with patriotism. The BSA ultimately promotes universalism, which is clearly evident if you have ever attended Scout Vespers led by a council or by National. These services typically include Native American prayers and readings from most major world religions – not unlike the recent interfaith service in Newtown, CT. The Synod should start looking at its relationship with not just the BSA but with all outside organization and formulating guidelines. Popular culture will continue to target groups like the BSA until they conform to its agenda. I expect the BSA will continue to be under pressure as the activists know to follow the money and put pressure on the corporate donors. I think congregations also need to evaluate what role scouting has in church life. The BSA also needs to decide whether it is a religious group or a secular group. It can’t be both. I write this as a confessional Lutheran Christian and as an assistant scoutmaster of a troop chartered by a PCUSA church. Scouting has many positive attributes but the religious part is a real struggle.