Last night,
Cdr.Jen shared that at a BSA board of review,
a Scout going for the final rank before Eagle
shared that when he turns 18 he will register
as a CO with reguard to Military service.
...
The Scout told of his love of this country, and of the heroisum
of it's common people. He could never speak against America..
This young man of 17 belives that God would not have him
act as an agent to harm another human. His "ethics" of
Christian faith tell him to serve as a medic, a humanitarian
relief worker, but not a soldier,sailor or marine.
...
So.. when I hear that RR Training outdoors is somehow linked to
preparedness for the future, I wonder if in "our" rush to claim
the high moral ground, do we also claim the ethics shared by this
17 year old? Can we endorse war as good politics and reserve respect
for those who hear a different word?
In Scouting the last word of the "law" holds that a scout is reverent,
and faithfull in his religious duties- (In God we trust)...
What I am asking Royal Rangers is do we hold such values that allow
us to respect others of different faiths? Can we do so, and then
say that for reasons of conscience we *respect but do not agree?
We can respect PEOPLE who disagree, even violently, with us.
We can respect SOME ideas that differ from our own. (For example, I can respect the Life Scout candidate's views as you have expressed them here, although I obviously chose differently and joined the U. S. Navy to help defend that young man's freedom, risking my life to do so.)
We cannot even respect some other ideas, because they are evil. (For example, the idea that anyone can get to Heaven other than through Jesus Christ is an evil idea that could land people in hell forever.)
Rev. Michael Paul Johnson AKA Soaring Golden Eagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Bible translation missionary, Evangel Bible Translators http://EvangelBible.org
Outpost 362, Mountain Creek Community Church, Dallas Texas http://mtcreek.com
http://eBible.org/mpj/ Jesus Christ is Lord!
