In reply to Cynthia Carter.

The difference between robbing a bank and homosexuality is that a person is not labeled a "bank robber" until he actually robs a bank.

A kid is considered "homosexual," however, based solely on attraction whether or not he has acted on that attraction or ever intends to do so.

While many kids do "come-out" as gay-affirming, there are many groups who exist to help same sex attracted individuals who choose to follow the biblical mandate to refrain from sex outside of male/female marriage. These groups report a large increase in same sex attracted teens seeking such help over the last 5 years. These kids would be considered "openly homosexual" yet accept the biblical law against acting on their desires. Unfortunately, because of legal issues, many of these groups are unable to provide that support for kids under 18.

These kids are stuck. The gay community pushes them toward a "positive gay identity," the conservative churches give them Law without Gospel, in spite of the fact they are repentant, the support groups can not serve them because of their age and now many church leaders sign open letters asking BSA to refuse them entrance.

There is no biblical or theological reason to restrict an openly homosexual kid from taking part in an organization such as boy scout, regardless of his own view of his sexuality, as long as he does not make his orientation an issue while in the group, much less a kid who is open and repentant. We are not talking about communion here, where a pastor must make a pastoral decision based on repentance. There is no biblical mandate anywhere that would support keeping kids out of BSA as long as their behavior does not conflict with the purposes of the group.

Christ condemned the Pharisees for refusing forgiveness to the tax collectors (who, acting on their desires, had committed sins against others, much like "bank robbers"). One is forced to wonder what Christ would say about condemning teens for mere temptation and refusing to associate with them because of a mere attraction. Christ ate with tax collectors (and, no, there is no indication that Matthew invited only "repentant" sinners to the dinner he hosted for Christ). One wonders how Christ would respond to our refusal to allow our children to associate with other kids based only on experiencing temptation?