Quite a few years ago I was an impressionable, naïve young man who loved the Boy Scout experience. I can honestly say that in those tender, impressionable years, scouting was one of my most positive influences and helped keep me on the road to becoming a strong, Christian, family man. I now live to serve my family, my country, and my Lord as Evangelism chairman in my LCMS congregation. My faith is well grounded in the Holy Bible which I believe to be the complete, true and inerrant word of God. I believe also that every word is God breathed and I see it as the most incredible book ever written. I see no confusion in what the Bible says and teaches, or what is morally correct in the eyes of God. Man may, and for centuries has, created laws and practices that contradict this. He has continuously tried to re-interpret or deny Biblical truth in an effort to justify his own despicable actions. God’s law, however, is undeniable and unchangeable.
So far, the scout oath that I learned has not changed either. I remember it to say:

On my honor, I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

A quick review of Romans 1: 18-32 will tell us what God commands about the so called “alternate lifestyle.” I believe these words, inspired by our Creator, cannot be simply ignored or swept under the carpet.

The recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to openly condone homosexuality is a plain and undeniable attempt to do just that. At a time when they were given the opportunity to stand up for what is morally straight, they instead made the decision to succumb to the pressure of man’s law and ignore God’s law. Instead of recognizing duty to God and country, they bowed their knee to Baal. As a result I am compelled to withdraw any association with the Boy Scouts. In the memorable words of Martin Luther, “my conscience is held captive to the Word of God… to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.” Before accusing me of being uncompassionate to my fellow man, please understand, I recognize that all sins are equal in the eyes of God. Condoning homosexuality is no different than condoning drunkenness, thievery, murder, child molestation, or any other of a long list of sins that would violate the bounds of morally straight. I do not see them voting to condone any of these, however, one has to wonder what will come next.

One of the most disturbing consequences of this decision is the possible damage that will be done to the scouts themselves and to the declining family values of this country. If you go back to my opening sentence you will see that I used the words naïve, and impressionable. I’m not implying that boys will be exposed to or learn to practice homosexuality, I’m saying that they will be taught that this lifestyle is morally correct, and an alternative to Christian family values. At a time when these young men need strong guidance, they are being taught weak ungodliness. At a time when they need re-enforcement of family values, they are being taught “alternate lifestyle.” They now recite an oath that is in direct contradiction to what they shamefully practice.