'Scouting' New Sexual Territory

For several years, the Boy Scouts of America were much in the news over their refusal to accept open sodomites as scoutmasters. After widespread battles in the lower courts, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that forcing them to accept homosexual leaders violated their "rights to freedom of expressive association."

The charge brought against them was violation of the "non-discrimination" laws. Here we see another instance where the homosexual steamroller has managed to link sinful behavior to legitimate discrimination. By proclaiming that they have an "orientation" to sin instead of a preference to sin, they have been able to liken themselves to racial or religious bias and claim discrimination on that basis.

This issue recently flared up again in California when a resolution was introduced in the State Assembly to honor the Boy Scouts on their 100th birthday. Homosexual lawmakers and their sympathizers quickly opposed the resolution, pointing to the Scouts' stand against homosexuality.

At the same time, another resolution was introduced to honor the Girl Scouts and included a statement that the Girl Scouts did not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. Lawmakers opposed to sodomy objected to the sexual reference when it came to a vote, but it passed over their objections. The resolution to honor the Boy Scouts was not allowed a vote and died in committee instead.

Even after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the Boy Scouts have been harassed by eviction from churches and municipal buildings, and some of their financial support has been cut off. On the other hand, the Girl Scouts capitulated early on and accepted lesbians both as leaders and members. One source estimates that one third of their paid staff are lesbians. 

Christian parents have watched with dismay as the Girl Scout training material gravitated toward radical feminism, social activism and moral relativism, away from the emphasis on God, family and love of country. In fact, in the Girl Scout "promise" that starts with "On my honor, I will try to serve God* and my country... the asterisk points to a footnote that explains: "The word 'God' can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word 'God' with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate."

This illustrates again the cultural battle for the souls of our children. A generation ago, the culture was generally helpful to parents trying to raise descent kids. Today it is the enemy. Bible-believing parents must be continually on guard. Children grow up through a spiritual mine field. They need much more careful guidance to get into adulthood still walking with the Lord.

Chick Publications gets lots of testimonies from parents who grew up reading Chick tracts and books. They are grateful for the strong gospel message that has not changed over the years.

Most of the tracts use an intriguing story to drive home God's view on everything from adultery to Satanism. Then they end with an opportunity to have the Holy Spirit change the reader's heart.

Then as they grow up, books like How to be a Successful Teenager, and Stairway to Hell, by Rick Jones, illustrate Satan's traps and how to avoid them. Some of his traps are outright lies being trumpeted by music, TV and movies, and even schools and universities. These include evolution, new age and other occult deceptions, and false religions. Other tracts, books and comics expose these deceptions and point clearly to God's truth.