Friday, February 1, 2013

An open letter to BSA Chief Executive. Please share.


Good morning Mr. Brock,
I have just finished reading several pieces of information regarding the conflict that now exists in the leadership ranks of BSA. I am writing to implore you, as well as the full leadership body of BSA to stand strong and resolute upon the moral conviction of this great institution. As a husband, father of a 12 year old contemplating membership, pastor of 60+ families, Life scout from troop 155 of the Parkway District of the Baltimore Area Council, and member of The Order of the Arrow, I am pleading for the consideration of all that should be held masculine and moral in our society. Without a doubt, the BSA had the greatest influence in my life and my Scout Master, Harry Mackey, remains one of the most influential men in my life, even after losing contact some 25 years ago. I am sure that this statement would be repeated across this country and even around the world. You are on the precipice of forever changing the healthy and proper view of the God of this universe, as boys will recite, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country…” Is this acceptation of homosexuality really our best as we consider our duty to God? Is it really the best for our country to further emasculate the male gender from which our country has always drawn strength and leadership? And as I recall the words, especially the last, of the Scout Law, how reverent is it to look a Holy and Just God in the face with full knowledge of the Holy Bible and its words, and contradict what He has said is unnatural, Romans 1:24-27?

Mr. Brock, I urge you to look at the mountain of evidence and listen to the encouragement to remain stalwart to the heritage of scouting. We, the people, do not want this type of change. America is still overwhelmingly in support of your organization remaining “straight”. In closing, I am no prophet, nor the son of one, but I can assure you of this. Even though there is a large amount of support from VFW’s and other civic organizations, one of your largest proponents is the church, with BSA recognizing this with more than 75 emblems representing at least 35 religious groups. There will most certainly be a backlash. To change your stand now would change the complexion of Boy Scouts immediately, but worse yet, it will be the ultimate demise of BSA as churches across this country and around the world turn to alternate groups. These groups are already on the rise and they provide scouting-like experiences without the infringement of societal deviations. I am sure you are aware of several of these but I thought I might give a few examples: Royal Rangers, Royal Ambassadors, Pathfinders, Christian Service Brigade, Awana Club, Pioneer Club, ConQuest, Kids 4 Truth, and Master Club, among others. In fact, my church is already on the path to taking youngsters camping in our Master Club program where they will learn and earn badges for cooking, camping, first aid, etc. I am excited to be chaperoning that trip myself. This migration from BSA to other groups will only lessen the influence and promotion of BSA until you sadly fade away or even worse, become the antithesis of who you were thirty-two years ago, as I entered the Calvary Lutheran Church as an eleven year old boy, anxious to learn how to be a man.



Joyfully Serving,
Pastor Rick Wilson

Franklin Baptist Church
2106 Franklin Church Road
Darlington, MD 21034

To know Christ and to make Him known.