The Real Story—Thoughts on the recent BSA membership policy change

Last week the Boy Scouts of America announced a membership policy change that allows transgender youth to register in BSA programs. Like much of the conservative world I initially felt betrayed when I read the announcement. How could this values-based organization change their moral stand and allow such a policy to be enacted? Judging from comments all over social media, I was not alone in my feelings—especially among other conservatives who still place the highest value on being “morally straight."

However, after several days of reading, watching, listening and learning, I’ve come to understand more clearly what happened in this situation.  In my newly-formed opinion, the BSA should actually be applauded for their actions. Let me explain.

First of all, the policy change states that the Boy Scouts will no longer use a person’s birth certificate to determine their gender. They will simply take the parent’s word on an application. Remember, BSA programs are for youth, and a parent signature is always required. But guess what? The BSA has NEVER required a birth certificate to determine gender. They have ALWAYS simply asked for the parent’s word. The difference is that now they will not dispute the word of the parents, regardless of the child’s anatomy.

While this subtle change could upset conservatives, let’s remember that the BSA still has NOT changed their century-old Scout Oath or Scout Law. They still keep Duty to God at the forefront and require Scouts to raise their arms to the square and pledge to be “physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

So if the BSA only made a minor alteration in their registration process and didn’t change their foundation one iota, what is the real story here? Let’s dig deeper.

In my opinion, recent transgender outrages against the BSA likely put them in a delicate situation—where they possibly had to make a decision or be put out of business.

We’ve seen other conservatives in a similar condition: change your policy or you’re finished. While small business cake makers, flower shops, photographers and others (and I commend them) have notably and nobly held their conservative ground against a morally shifting society, in the end they still didn’t win. They were forced to shut down. Yes, the concerned public rallied around them and hopefully donations or other support sustained owners who are now out of a job. But if a national non-profit organization fought such legalities what would happen?

If the BSA (which already spends a tremendous portion of their budget in defense lawsuits) were to engage on the national scene against a transgender suit, chances are they would lose. That means that after spending millions of dollars they would still be forced to change their policy—and do it on liberal terms. Or, they could shut their gates and thousands of people would be out of a job and millions of boys would lose the greatest faith-building, country-loving adventure of their lives. I can only assume that the BSA officials were up between a rock and a hard spot, and chose to lose the battle on their own terms in an effort to win the war for America’s youth.

Last week my teenage daughter toured the Utah State Capitol. She was taken down into the lower levels, where the foundation of this old building was recently renovated to make it “earthquake safe.” Stone columns were cut and raised to give space for a rubber insert—an insert that would move and sway slightly with an earthquake and thus enable this monumental building to stand through the coming tests of time. 

If the BSA simply inserted a little “give” into their age-old foundations to maintain their positive influence in the nation, then I agree. In fact, their actions make perfect sense. They have given an inch in an effort to maintain a mile. They have made necessary updates to their still stalwart organization to match the ebb and flow of society and maintain their status—like the capitol—as a beacon on a hill.

Another illustration of this concept is the nation of Denmark during World War II. When the Nazis threatened to invade, the Danes avoided conflict and agreed to their enemy’s terms. (No, I’m NOT comparing liberals to Nazis, just making a point.) While other nations resisted the Nazis and had their people massacred only to be ruled by Hitler anyway, the Danes were still using their own police forces and in many ways managing their own citizens. In fact, their good King Christian X was riding daily through the streets of Copenhagen—quietly rallying the people’s morale. During this heavy time the Danish people miraculously rescued almost their entire Jewish population right under the Nazi noses. According to history, compromise is a legitimate option in the face of adversity. In fact, compromise is a founding principle of our nation.

During my 20 years of Scouting experience I have continually been amazed at the undeniable caliber of Scouters from all faiths and religions who live across our great nation and unselfishly serve our youth. Even on the highest national levels the BSA organization is full of incredibly good, stalwart, conscientious leaders doing a remarkable job in a society that needs Scouting now more than ever. I believe they were doing the very best they could under the circumstances, and I applaud their efforts.

The real story here is not that the BSA “caved.” No, the real story is that good organizations are clinging with their fingernails to any shred of moral freedom that remains. We should see their struggles and rally around, realizing that their hold is slowly slipping despite their best efforts to hang on. And we should be concerned as well for our own churches and families where new-age values may all too soon be forced upon us as well.

I’m not upset at the Boy Scouts anymore. Instead, I’m grateful that despite the challenges of our day there is still an organization that requires members to proclaim they will “do their best” to do their “duty to God and country,” and “help other people at all times.” I’m standing by the BSA, grateful that they are holding on through sheer willpower with every hand and foothold they can muster—even through compromise—to provide America’s youth the character-building experience they deserve.