Boy Scouts vs. ACLU

[carrowsboy]

(in my local paper)

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779723324&path=%21editorials%21letters&s=1045855935005

Scouting Instills Many Values
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I am a 12-year-old Boy Scout and I have been in Scouts since I was 6 years old. When I read about the ACLU bringing a lawsuit against the BSA, I was disgusted. The ACLU says that the Boy Scouts discriminate because they require members to believe in God, and the Pentagon has been asked not to sponsor Boy Scout troops.

I began Scouting as a Tiger Cub and have advanced all the way to a Star Scout. There is a lot more to Scouting than religion. Boy Scouts do so much for our community. We participate in Scouting for Food every year, we help clean up hurricane debris, and we improve the community by doing Eagle projects. Scouting has helped me personally to set goals and to develop a positive lifestyle. I have learned how to set goals for my grades, and have explored many new skills and hobbies by earning merit badges.

The Constitution says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, but Boy Scouts welcome all faiths. It's not a Christian-only group, and doesn't force anyone to believe in any certain religion. It just requires one to believe in a God. With all the bad press about today's youth, the government should appreciate what the BSA is doing and be able to support it.

On my path to Eagle Scout, I try every day to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. I am excited to go to the Jamboree this summer, where I can meet tens of thousands of Scouts of all faiths. The ACLU should be celebrating what Scouting is all about. Cody Corbelli. richmond.