SCOUTS: Gay doesn't mean bad

I wish to speak on the matter of the Sheriff’s Office stand on backing out of supporting the Boy Scouts. Maybe a reminder of the Boy Scout Oath is in order.

The oath states: On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.

Being morally straight meaning to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character. The above is quoted from the Boy Scout Handbook.

I do believe that a gay young man can be all of the above. Human beings who are homosexual can be all of the above. I do not understand people that feel that someone’s sexuality is a threat to them. People are just people.

Gays love their parents and family just like straight people do. Gays will join the military and die for their country just like straight people do. Gays can be the doctor who saves your life. Gays can be the hero who saves a drowning child. Gays can be good loving parents. Gays can be honest and of strong character. Gays have feelings just like you and I do. Gay people can love their God as much as a straight person can love their God.

I am straight and consider myself Christian. I was raised as an Episcopalian. What I got from my young years in church was that God loved me. God loved everyone. God sent his only son to teach us to love one another and to die for our sins. I do not ever remember being taught to hate anyone because they were different.

I have never understood how anyone who claims to be a Christian can preach hate and intolerance. While I am not overly religious and cannot do quotes from the Bible, I do know deep in my heart that Jesus never stood for hate and intolerance.

I do not believe that letting a young man who is interested in serving his community and country should be discriminated against just because he is gay. A gay young man is not a threat to straight young men. A young gay man was born gay, flat and simple. His agenda is not to turn straight young men gay. You are straight or gay — period. A gay scout can clean a public area. A gay scout can help the elderly. A gay scout can have fun on a campout. In no way do I see the Boy Scouts’ acceptance of gay young men as promoting homosexuality. I see the inclusion of gay young men as a willingness to include all young men that want to serve.

I was a Girl Scout for five years. I loved it. We were taught to help, be kind to one another and have a good time. I bet at least one of the girls I was in scouts with was gay. It did not matter because we were just enjoying scouting. Sex was never mentioned — EVER.

So, Sheriff Wolfinger, I want you to think about your stance on supporting the Boy Scouts. I did not see in the Scout’s oath anyplace that said we support homosexuality. I just saw a pledge that a young man gives to serve God and country. Give it a thought.

JOANNE ANGLIN

Post Falls