I am an Eagle Scout and participated in all the BSA surveys leading up to this. To clarify, this policy shift now makes it possible so that if a boy comes out, he isn't automatically kicked out of scouting. It does not allow gay men or women to be leaders in Scouting. It still maintains that celibacy is to be upheld for scouts - straight or gay (sexual purity for all boys - straight and gay - is actually the meaning of "morally straight"). Is there a shift in LC-MS understanding of sexuality where now we exclude minors who are gay AND still commit to being celibate?

Folks, please remember that you are talking about children who are wrestling with their sexual identity when you post. Some of the comments above are hurtful and can offer lasting damage when spoken to and about children. My prayer is that the church is never a place where adults tell a child that they are "deviant" (Flanagan) and not welcome.