It is in fact a sad day when the courts are willing to throw out morality
for the sake of "inclusion". Let's be sure to pray that the Supreme Court
decides to preserve private organizations' rights to select the leadership
of their choice.
So far the courts have stayed out of "ecclesiastical" matters of the Church
- and have not intervened when Churches and their affiliates (private
schools, for instance) have decided to exclude homosexuals from the ranks
of their leadership. Therefore, it would seem that, for now at least,
Rangers is safe.
Just brings home how much we need to pray for this nation!
Andy Cottle
Phenix City, Alabama
At 04:03 PM 8/4/99 -0400, HEFFNER, MARTIN wrote:
>I have been monitoring postings for a month or so now and am impressed with
>my fellow commanders and their concern for the boys. I respect your
>opinions and value your insights. How do you feel this court ruling will
>impact Royal Rangers. Do you see a day where we will be forced to accept
>homosexuals as commanders. Don't misunderstand me, I am not bashing them
>and pray for their salvation, but don't want them in a position of
>leadership. How could I tell my Challengers this lifestyle is immoral in
>God's sight when they know of a homosexual commander?
>
>Martin "Grizzly Bear" Heffner
>Outpost 50
>Potomac District / Eastern Section
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>-------------------------------
>.J. Lifts Boy Scout Ban on Gays
>
>By THOMAS MARTELLO
>.c The Associated Press
>
>TRENTON, N.J. (Aug. 4) - The Boy Scouts of America's ban on homosexuals is
>illegal under New Jersey's anti-discrimination law, the state Supreme Court
>ruled today.
>
>The Boy Scouts vowed to appeal the court's ruling, which upheld a state
>appellate court decision, to the U.S. Supreme Court.
>
>The court, in a unanimous decision, sided with James Dale, a Matawan
>assistant scoutmaster who was kicked out of the Boy Scouts nine years ago
>when leaders found out he is gay.
>
>The court said the Boy Scouts organization constitutes a ''place of public
>accommodation'' because it has a broad-based membership and forms
>partnerships with public entities and public service organizations.
>
>Thus, the court said the Boy Scouts fall under New Jersey's
>anti-discrimination law and cannot deny any person ''accommodations,
>advantages, facilities and privileges'' because of sexual orientation.
>
>The court also rejected the Boy Scouts' contention that striking down their
>ban on homosexuals violates the group's First Amendment rights.
>
>''To recognize the Boy Scouts' First Amendment claim would be tantamount to
>tolerating the expulsion of an individual solely because of his status as a
>homosexual - an act of discrimination unprotected by the First Amendment
>freedom of speech,'' the decision reads.
>
>Dale, now 29, earned 30 merit badges and various other awards and was an
>Eagle Scout during his 12 years in the organization. He was expelled in
>1990.
>
>A lower court judge ruled in the Scouts' favor in 1995, calling
>homosexuality
>''a serious moral wrong'' and agreeing with the Boy Scouts that the group is
>
>a private organization and has a constitutional right to decide who can
>belong.
>
>In overturning that decision last year, an appeals court said Dale's
>''exemplary journey through the Boy Scouts of America ranks as testament
>enough that these stereotypical notions about homosexuals must be
>rejected.''
>
>George Davidson, an attorney for the Boy Scouts, said this is the first time
>
>the group had lost such a case in a state's highest court. He had argued the
>
>group has a right to pick its own leaders without interference from ''an
>all-powerful state.''
>
>''It's a sad day when the state dictates to parents what role models they
>must provide for their children,'' Davidson said.
>
>''To us, the silver lining is it gives Boy Scouts the first opportunity to
>go
>the U.S. Supreme Court and get a definitive ruling to put an end to these
>lawsuits,'' he said
>
>The court decision rejected ''the notion that Dale's presence in the
>organization is symbolic of Boy Scouts' endorsement of homosexuality. ...
>Dale has never used his leadership position or membership to promote
>homosexuality, or any message inconsistent with Boy Scouts' policies.''
>
>Dale scheduled an afternoon news conference at the New York offices of the
>Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which represented him in court.
>
>''It's a great day for our client, but also for both lesbian and gay people
>who want to join the Boy Scouts,'' said Beatrice Dohrn, legal director for
>the group. ''It's also a great day for other people in the Boy Scouts who
>got
>a message today of inclusion rather than one of discrimination.''
>
> AP-NY-08-04-99 1134EDT
>
>Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP
>news
>report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed
>without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active
>hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. OOOPs
>
>_______
> To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC!
> http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
_______
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC!
http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
