Encourage inclusiveness
By: John Bispala 03/01/2012
One of our Camden area neighbors, Marie Castle, wrote a short piece in the Star Tribune’s Reader’s Write page on Sunday, February 3. I regularly read most of the letters submitted, and I always keep an eye out for a letter from Ms Castle. This one again set me thinking.
Marie Castle’s subject was on the Boy Scouts of America’s struggle over changing its rules to allow gays to become members. Not only would she encourage that change but recommended the BSA also “stop discriminating against atheists.”
I’m sure Castle understands the legal distinction between public and private organizations as it applies to her two suggestions. Public organizations include governmental agencies and schools, for example. Private organizations are those such as the Scouts, churches, YWCA, Lions International and health and fitness clubs.
It is illegal (or becoming more illegal) to discriminate against certain people from participating in or receiving the benefits of public organizations. However, private organizations are allowed to set their own membership restrictions and advance their own philosophies and beliefs.
There appear to be only two or three options to effect a change in the rules of private organizations like the Boy Scouts. One could join as a member or leader and work from within. Otherwise one could try to force a change through court or legislative action. The most likely changes to succeed would be to convince the Boy Scouts as a friend, for example, that their services to youth and nation would be greatly improved by becoming more inclusive in certain specific ways.
John Bispala,
Webber-Camden