Jat

If some had their way they wouldn't accept those of a different race or skin color as well. What is so immoral about what consent persons do in their own bedrooms? Usually when something is legal it is also moral as well. Are you speaking of religious morality or real morality?

Fr.Andrew

(Fr Andrew): This will get you started. It's an old piece, but I don't think much has changed.
Some organizations like United Way have begun withholding support, and some municipalities are starting to charge the Boy Scouts for what they used to give them for free, but the BSA has always been subsidized by taxpayer money--it was the patriotic thing to do, no questions asked, until their bigotry became an issue.

Corwin

They also (in most places) have reasonably free access to schools for recruitment purposes and use of facilities.

Hubble head

Our media seems hell-bent on portraying gays as fluffy well dressed namby-pamby fruitcakes - even on gay friendly shows like Will & Grace, so don't expect a massive acceptance of them as fatherly figures in the near future. This country gets all its knowledge from the talking light tube in their living rooms and they think whatever it tells them to think for the most part.

As long as the members/parents of that troop know and are OK with it there should be no problem though.

Fr.Andrew

(Fr Andrew): Actually, the Helms Amendment denies federal funds to school districts which, based on their own anti-discrimination policies, refuse to allow the BSA to recruit in their schools.

DarkBronzePlant

I'm talking about real morality.

The BSA (aside from the Pennsylvania section) wants to bar gays and atheists from the organization. Legally, they may have every right to. And I agree that, legally, they do have that right. And legally, they should have that right. But it's not morally correct, IMHO, to behave that way. As you allude to, often legality coincides with moral correctness. But not always.

I can think of other examples:

- I used to get into debates with my dad regarding Dr. Laura. His argument would usually come around to "So you think she should be locked up, arrested, for what she says?" To which I typically reply that, no, she shouldn't be arrested;she's not legally doing anything wrong. That doesn't make her messages any less harmful and disgusting.

- People should have the absolute right to smoke (in private, that is; it becomes an issue when smokers are forcing second-hand smoke upon non-smokers.) I would fight to defend such a right. At the same time, I think anyone who decides to smoke is nuts. (edited to add: lest I offend any smokers, I mean to say that I think that particular behavior is nuts.)

etc, etc

Jat

So, you're saying that people will accept an axe murder as a Scout leader as long as he is heterosexual?

Jat

There is a big difference in between expressing one's opinions and in acting them out. As the saying goes, "Your right to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose."

Discriminating because of ignorance is never morally correct. And morality based on ignorance is not morality at all. Hense the difference between religious and real morality.

DarkBronzePlant

I think that means we agree. I'd add, though, that it's not something that can or should be legalislated. Not sure where you stand on that...

PopeInTheWoods

... and...
According to South Park, pretty much.

Is there any controversial political issue that South Park hasn't done an episode about?

Andy