The Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the Boy Scouts and upheld their constitutional right to freedom of association under the First Amendment. This freedom of association means that, because the homosexual lifestyle is against their moral code, the Boy Scouts can disallow homosexuals as leaders or members.
The Boy Scouts harbor no ill will toward homosexuals, nor do they seek to destroy their activist groups. Yet, homosexual activists would deny the Boy Scouts’ constitutional rights and destroy the organization by seeking to cut the Boy Scouts’ funds. Homosexual groups preach tolerance, but practice supreme intolerance against any who disagrees with their views.
The United Way of Snohomish County, which has a long and proud history of funding non-profit groups, has joined in this hypocrisy by cutting funding for the Boy Scouts. I am dismayed that the United Way would use its power as a club to bludgeon the Boy Scouts into submission or out of existence.
Many faith-based non-profit groups in Snohomish County would say atheists do not share their beliefs, and would therefore not be hired to run their organizations or set their policies. Does this mean that Catholic Charities, Everett Gospel Mission, the Volunteers of America and the Salvation Army are next in line to be de-funded by the United Way because they “discriminate” against atheists? It would seem the United Way is more interested in social engineering and in appeasing the “politically correct” than in doing what is right.
I urge the board of the United Way to reverse its decision and restore the Boy Scouts’ funding. The Boy Scouts have been consistent for 90 years, and its policies have not changed. They have kept millions of young boys and teen-agers off the streets, off drugs, and taught them to revere family, God and country. I know this firsthand. My husband and three of my brothers are Eagle Scouts.
My husband and I have funded the United Way regularly in the past, but no longer. Good people of Snohomish County, do not allow the United Way to bully the Boy Scouts. Bypass the United Way by sending your donations directly to Boy Scouts of America. Or, send your donations directly to the non-profit group of your choice. Urge your employers, business owners and corporations to do the same.
Everett
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