Perhaps I'm viewing this in an overly simplistic way, but......I would not be so quick to judge the BSA. Originally, the ban on openly gay leaders grew out of the belief that this lifestyle was in contradiction to the "morally straight" requirement in the Scout oath. This was instituted at time when this lifestyle was considered by the vast majority of the US as "immoral". Unfortunately, the US has now redefined what is moral. This will impact us on multiple levels from the structures of our leisure organizations, such as the BSA, to what our clergy are "permitted" to preach and to teach. The BSA has been sued over this issue and in light of the other barriers to same sex inclusion that have been broken down will continue to be so, perhaps at an increased level. As I see it....and again, perhaps I'm being naive or overly simplistic .....they can spend millions trying to defend themselves in lawsuits - and probably losing - as well as losing funding from sources who don't want to be "tainted" by BSA so-called discriminatory policies, thereby leaving less money for effective programs and maybe even bankrupting the organization itself. Or they can try and find a way to make "inclusion" work. I have 2 sons in the BSA who have grown tremendously as young man because of Scouting. I would not wish to pull them over this.

Also.....our concern may come from the fact that we are referring to "openly gay" leaders. There are Scout leaders who are alcoholics.....or addicted to pornography....or cheat on their taxes....etc, etc. This is not necessarily "known" to anyone, but it still exists. The reality is "all have sinned and fallen short".....I'm not saying this makes anything right or wrong.....but if we are going to remove BSA troops from LCMS congregations because of someone's sin, we may be on a slippery slope.