There is a new evil spreading throughout our land: the Girl Scouts.
Because the Girl Scouts do not denounce birth control, non-Christians, or the LGBT community, a growing number of wingnuts have decided that the youth organization promotes abortion, paganism and "homosexual lifestyles." Some churches have even begun kicking out Girl Scout troops:
“Several Girl Scout troops in Chantilly, Va., have been banned from meeting at a local Catholic church and a neighboring school.”
The anti-Girl Scout fringe also has at least one elected official on its side: Indiana Republican State Rep. Bob Morris refused to vote for a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts because after "talking to some well-informed constituents" and conducting "a small amount of web research," he determined that the Girl Scouts are a "tactical arm of Planned Parenthood" that encourages "homosexual lifestyles."
Don't let social conservatives smear the Girl Scouts for promoting tolerance, diversity and responsible education. Click here to add your name to the petition supporting the Girl Scouts.
Thanks for all you do,
Chris Bowers, Daily Kos
Please don't promote intolerance and please don't follow the lead of the Daily Kos and smear all social conservatives. If there are a few people with whom you disagree, who may, or may not be, socially conservative, call them out on their positions.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad tactic to blast a group when you should direct any positions you may wish to advance against an individual with whom you disagree. Blasting all social conservatives as being intolerant and adverse to any form of diversity or 'responsible education' would seem to be misplaced coming from someone who seeks tolerance in others.
I was a Boy Scout and proud to have been one. Of course, I would have loved to have been dressed as a Girl Scout. I buy cookies from several different Girl Scouts every year. I think that both the Boy and Girl Scouts are great organizations. The Scout motto is a wonderful affirmation.
I recall that there was some discussion several weeks ago about a young TG male who wanted to joing the Girl Scouts and that originally he was refused but was shortly thereafter accepted. I think accepting that child as a Girl Scout is a good thing but I can understand how others would feel differently.
From what I can see it seems like there was an issue of certain pro-abortion scout leaders using the young girls to pass out Planned Parenthood material on church property. This one Catholic Church took the position that its property could not be used for spreading a pro-abortion position. The position of the Church on abortion is well known.
It seems that the scout leaders may have had an agenda and were willing to put the children into the middle of the abortion issue. If that is the case I would have criticism of the scout leaders to use the children to advance their political agenda.
What the Chantilly, Va. situation has done is it has stirred up a diatribe against the entire Catholic Church, complete with aspersions that the Church was against Girl Scouts.
I do not think that is true. I surmise that there are Girl Scout units all over this country that meet is church facilities. I went to a Catholic school and on meeting days the Girl Scouts would wear their uniforms to school. Of course, back then they were not also passing out pro-abortion material.
I am not sure anyone knows all of the facts but I am not going to jump to any conclusions that smear the Church, the Scouts or conservatives, social or otherwise.
I will not sign the Daily Kos petition. I am not even certain that there is validity to the attribution that GSUSA thanks the signers for support in the "face of these new, extremist attacks". That does not seem to be a statment from GSUSA but rather a fabrication of perceived intent from the Daily Kos as they push their agenda.
I just get peeved when adults use children. The comments after the Kos article are filled with venom so the author and the Kos seem to have achieved some of their goals.
Pat
I applaud any organization who supports the girl scouts. My daughter and grand daughter are very active and I bought EXTRA cookies this year!
ReplyDeletecyrsti
I agree wholeheartedly with scalesman. The "everyone who disagrees with me about anything is a wingnut" mentality has destroyed responsible social and political discourse in this country--and folks like us are the ultimate BIG losers.
ReplyDeleteToo bad for Girl Scouts in Rep Bob Morris' district.
ReplyDeleteI, too, get peeved when adults use children to advance any particular agenda and I applaud everyone who supports the girl scouts.
I fully support GSUSA and will buy extra cookies this season.
Pat, thanks for publishing your comment. I appreciate the reminder that we too often demonize an entire group when a member of that group acts in an inappropriate or offensive manner. Your call for a more civil and level headed approach is most welcome.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that those who disagree with Bob Morris (and there's much to disagree with - as we used to say in high school "What a tool!") lump all those identifying as social conservatives in with him. My more conservative friends and I may disagree on many issues, but I'm pretty sure they don't believe the Girl Scouts are engaged in some nefarious scheme to promote the homosexual agenda (whatever that is).
Here is a follow-up that mentions the transgender connection: "The right still hates the Girl Scouts."
ReplyDeletenot sure about churches, but schools can not close there doors to the girl scouts. if they allow any other group to have meeting there they are in a very bad legal bind and will loose in court.
ReplyDeletebut as for girl scouts promoting anything but good old fashioned values. is pure hatred by the antis.
so many groups these day are trying to cut down any and all of the "American" values.
aka:home, love, marriage, etc.
sadly i was never in the girl scouts, but i never did know of any girl scout working to promote or push a life style to anyone. or push abortion over abstinence.
loni
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