Freethought & Rationalism Archive

EverLastingGodStopper · 05-30-2003, 06:07 AM

EverLasting GodStopper reports from the front lines:

Yesterday I joined members of American Atheists, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, Scouting4All, and others in a demonstration against the bigoted anti-atheist/anti-gay membership and leadership policy of the Boy Scouts of America.

The BSA's convention is taking place at the Philadelphia Mariott Hotel, there will be marchers picketing at the 12th & Filbert Street entrance again today and tomorrow (May 30 and 31).

Media-wise, CBS (KYW-TV 3) focused ONLY on the "gay" angle, specifically NOT airing ANY reference to atheists, although you could see my big ol' butt and the back of my sign in a few shots. The WB (locally, Channel 17), I am told, gave equal time to all protestors. ABC (WPVI TV-6) and NBC (WCAU TV-10) did not bother to cover this issue at all. But, I was photographed with other demonstrators for the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper.

I'm surprised that of the 7000+ members of this message board forum, I'm the only one with info on this action. Sorry I didn't post sooner! And I apologize for this post-protest report, although, there is still time for Philly-area activists to JOIN ME! I will miss today's picketing, but I will attend ALL DAY on Saturday May 31st.

For more info please click the links below.

*kissies* to all,
GodStopper
jrael@atheists.org

From: http://www.atheists.org/whatsnew.shtml (this demo mentioned under May 29)
S4A Press Release: http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/2003050403.shtml
FSGP/AA Press Release .pdf: http://www.atheists.org/temp/fsgp.pdf

Further details:

http://www.inclusivescouting.net/

Why does any of this matter to the godless? Read the "Publicly Supported Private Club" essay here:
http://www.lacarte.org/fairness/sexu...yscouts/1.html

EverLastingGodStopper · 05-30-2003, 06:11 AM

In addition to showing up at this week's demonstration, I also wrote a Letter to the Editor. Okay... editorS, of 5 South Jersey newspapers. Here it is:

Quote:

Letter to the Editor Sent to:

Bridgeton Evening News Headquarters
Courier-Post Headquarters
Gloucester County Times Headquarters
The Trenton Times Headquarters
The Trentonian Headquarters

May 24, 2003
"Boy Scouts Policy Promotes Bigotry, Protest in Person"

[recipient address was inserted here]

Dear [recipient name was inserted here],

I was surprised to learn that the Boy Scouts of America has a policy specifically banning non-religious families from participating in the Scouting program.

The time has come for the BSA to carefully consider how their anti-atheist and anti-gay membership policy fosters an attutide of intolerance and even hate toward these minority groups.

Institutionalized bigotry is not a way to "Be Prepared" for real life. I plan to protest this prejudiced policy by picketing the BSA Conference at the Center City Marriott in Philadelphia from May 29-31.

It's time for the Boy Scouts, as the only Scouting program chartered by the United States Congress, to change, to become inclusive to ALL members of the communities they serve.

For information about joining the demonstration, please send me an email at: jrael@atheists.org. I'm a former Girl Scout, married to a former Boy Scout, and I am the South Jersey Regional Director of American Atheists.

Sincerely,

Mrs Janice Rael

I don't know which of the papers actually printed my letter, if any.

openeyes · 05-30-2003, 07:03 AM

Good going, ELGS!

nj_heathens · 06-01-2003, 07:47 AM

Janice,

Mr. Heathen and I attended the Thursday night showing of the film "Scout's Honor" at the Marriott and participated in a very informative panel discussion with S4A and FSGP leaders afterward. One of the TV stations (Channel 3, I think) was filming then, as well. We asked many questions about S4A's strategies for effecting change within BSA, and for providing inclusive scouting alternatives in the meantime. We found organizers very receptive to our interest in providing support (both individually and through the New Jersey Humanist Network, and we look forward to getting more involved.

Mark Noel of Inclusive Scouting allowed us to borrow a copy of "Scout's Honor" for viewing by any humanist/atheist/ethical culture groups in the area. It's a 60-minute, award-winning documentary on the efforts of Steve Cozza (age 12) and Dave Rice (age 70) to start Scouting For All.

The documentary was made before the BSA's discrimination against atheists truly came to the forefront in the last few years, but Scott Cozza (S4A President) and Dave Rice expressed their committment to supporting atheists as well.

Look forward to finally meeting up with you someday soon. New Jersey's not that big a state!

Mrs. Heathen (Lisa)

05-30-2003, 06:07 AM	#1
EverLastingGodStopper Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 16,665	Atheists March in Philly against Boy Scouts' Bigoted Policy EverLasting GodStopper reports from the front lines: Yesterday I joined members of American Atheists, the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, Scouting4All, and others in a demonstration against the bigoted anti-atheist/anti-gay membership and leadership policy of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA's convention is taking place at the Philadelphia Mariott Hotel, there will be marchers picketing at the 12th & Filbert Street entrance again today and tomorrow (May 30 and 31). Media-wise, CBS (KYW-TV 3) focused ONLY on the "gay" angle, specifically NOT airing ANY reference to atheists, although you could see my big ol' butt and the back of my sign in a few shots. The WB (locally, Channel 17), I am told, gave equal time to all protestors. ABC (WPVI TV-6) and NBC (WCAU TV-10) did not bother to cover this issue at all. But, I was photographed with other demonstrators for the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. I'm surprised that of the 7000+ members of this message board forum, I'm the only one with info on this action. Sorry I didn't post sooner! And I apologize for this post-protest report, although, there is still time for Philly-area activists to JOIN ME! I will miss today's picketing, but I will attend ALL DAY on Saturday May 31st. For more info please click the links below. kissies to all, GodStopper jrael@atheists.org From: http://www.atheists.org/whatsnew.shtml (this demo mentioned under May 29) S4A Press Release: http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/2003050403.shtml FSGP/AA Press Release .pdf: http://www.atheists.org/temp/fsgp.pdf Further details: http://www.inclusivescouting.net/ Why does any of this matter to the godless? Read the "Publicly Supported Private Club" essay here: http://www.lacarte.org/fairness/sexu...yscouts/1.html

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05-30-2003, 07:03 AM	#3
openeyes Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,215	Good going, ELGS!

06-01-2003, 07:47 AM	#4
nj_heathens Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ewing, NJ Posts: 447	Janice, Mr. Heathen and I attended the Thursday night showing of the film "Scout's Honor" at the Marriott and participated in a very informative panel discussion with S4A and FSGP leaders afterward. One of the TV stations (Channel 3, I think) was filming then, as well. We asked many questions about S4A's strategies for effecting change within BSA, and for providing inclusive scouting alternatives in the meantime. We found organizers very receptive to our interest in providing support (both individually and through the New Jersey Humanist Network, and we look forward to getting more involved. Mark Noel of Inclusive Scouting allowed us to borrow a copy of "Scout's Honor" for viewing by any humanist/atheist/ethical culture groups in the area. It's a 60-minute, award-winning documentary on the efforts of Steve Cozza (age 12) and Dave Rice (age 70) to start Scouting For All. The documentary was made before the BSA's discrimination against atheists truly came to the forefront in the last few years, but Scott Cozza (S4A President) and Dave Rice expressed their committment to supporting atheists as well. Look forward to finally meeting up with you someday soon. New Jersey's not that big a state! Mrs. Heathen (Lisa)

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