Freethought & Rationalism Archive

christ-on-a-stick · 03-10-2003, 02:34 PM

Yesterday, my husband & I made a trip to the grocery store, where at this time of year the Girl Scouts are dutifully camped out at the exits hawking their cookies.

As we left the store, we we approached by a girl who looked to be about 9 or 10, as a couple other girls and their moms (I'm assuming) were gathered around the table laden with cookies. She asked if we were interested in purchasing any.

And the spirit came upon me...

I replied, "Well I'm sorry but I can't support the Girl Scouts - as an atheist and a bisexual, I have serious issues with the Girl and Boys Scout's open discrimination against the non-religious and gays and lesbians".

My husband looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock and die, and the look on the girl's face made me wish I could hear exactly what her mother was going to say when she asked her, "Mom, what's a bisexual?"

(or atheist for that matter!!!)

Mwuahahahahahaha....

At first, my husband was sputtering indignantly when we got to the car - "what did you have to say that for? geez..." - but then he started laughing. After all he couldn't argue with my point!!!

Mageth · 03-10-2003, 02:41 PM

I replied, "Well I'm sorry but I can't support the Girl Scouts - as an atheist and a bisexual, I have serious issues with the Girl and Boys Scout's open discrimination against the non-religious and gays and lesbians".

I hate to tell you this, but the Girl Scouts aren't nearly as openly discriminatory as the Boy Scouts against the "non-religious" and gays and lesbians, particulary on sexual orientation (I'm not saying they're perfect, but I think they're not as bad as BSA).

See here for a good critique.

Kinross · 03-10-2003, 02:44 PM

I don't think the girl scouts discriminate against sexual or religous orientation.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-10-2003, 02:46 PM

Thanks for the link Mageth! It does appear that they are not *as* blatantly discriminatory, though this

Quote:

An interesting fact presented in the article is that while GSUSA has a non-discrimination policy which includes sexual orientation, unlike the BSA, it does not require its local councils to follow such policies. At least when it comes to the issue sexual orientation, the GSUSA says �it lets each of the 317 local councils decide for itself. And indeed, more than two dozen councils have adopted guidelines that specifically protect their members against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Those that haven�t fall back on a long-standing national GSA policy--a kind of Junior League �don�t ask, don�t tell.� While the national policy claims to prohibit discrimination against homosexuals, a spokeswoman for the national organization, Ellen Christie Ach, concedes that local councils are not automatically dechartered if they do.�

is still of concern to me, as is this

Quote:

So, while a questioning girl might be allowed to remain in GSUSA, a confirmed atheist would be rejected. This fact was confirmed when James Randall (the father of the Randall twins who sued BSA) filed suit against a San Diego Girl Scout troop for denying 6- year-old Nitzya Cuevas-Macias entrance into meetings for refusing to pledge to serve God.

BrotherMan · 03-10-2003, 02:46 PM

Parade raining deleted.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-10-2003, 02:47 PM

Looks like we 3 crossposted, but check out Mageth's link and my post above.

elanah · 03-10-2003, 04:19 PM

Quote:

a confirmed atheist would be rejected

Well, I've been one for a few years now and they haven't kicked me out yet. With that said, I'm a little disturbed. As an active Girl Scout, I had no idea they had any issues of this sort.

I think I'll try to get my hands on a copy of the GS Constitution. And it's possible that we could submit a proposal at the next National Convention in 2005 in Atlanta to change some of this, or to at least get a ruling that the individual councils must abide by the nondiscrimination policy. I think I'll check into this further. I want to be able to be proud of my lifetime membership.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-10-2003, 04:22 PM

elanah,

Quote:

I think I'll try to get my hands on a copy of the GS Constitution. And it's possible that we could submit a proposal at the next National Convention in 2005 in Atlanta to change some of this, or to at least get a ruling that the individual councils must abide by the nondiscrimination policy. I think I'll check into this further. I want to be able to be proud of my lifetime membership.

That would be awesome!!!

beth · 03-10-2003, 04:30 PM

I've always bought them with the sole purpose of being kind to a sweet little girl. I've never looked at it as supporting an organization. But I do find the exclusion toward atheists to be disturbing. My daughter wants to join the Brownies. I had planned on becoming one of the troup moms. I wouldn't be able to now.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-10-2003, 04:31 PM

Hi goddess,

From Mageth's link -

Quote:

In addition, in 1974 the Camp Fire Girls of America became Camp Fire Boys and Girls when they allowed boys to join. Camp Fire also does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation or religious belief, or lack thereof. Their statement says: �We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity.� And they seem to truly mean what they say!

Might be worth checking out!!!

03-10-2003, 02:34 PM	#1
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Fun with Girl Scouts!!!! Yesterday, my husband & I made a trip to the grocery store, where at this time of year the Girl Scouts are dutifully camped out at the exits hawking their cookies. As we left the store, we we approached by a girl who looked to be about 9 or 10, as a couple other girls and their moms (I'm assuming) were gathered around the table laden with cookies. She asked if we were interested in purchasing any. And the spirit came upon me... I replied, "Well I'm sorry but I can't support the Girl Scouts - as an atheist and a bisexual, I have serious issues with the Girl and Boys Scout's open discrimination against the non-religious and gays and lesbians". My husband looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock and die, and the look on the girl's face made me wish I could hear exactly what her mother was going to say when she asked her, "Mom, what's a bisexual?" (or atheist for that matter!!!) Mwuahahahahahaha.... At first, my husband was sputtering indignantly when we got to the car - "what did you have to say that for? geez..." - but then he started laughing. After all he couldn't argue with my point!!!

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03-10-2003, 02:41 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	I replied, "Well I'm sorry but I can't support the Girl Scouts - as an atheist and a bisexual, I have serious issues with the Girl and Boys Scout's open discrimination against the non-religious and gays and lesbians". I hate to tell you this, but the Girl Scouts aren't nearly as openly discriminatory as the Boy Scouts against the "non-religious" and gays and lesbians, particulary on sexual orientation (I'm not saying they're perfect, but I think they're not as bad as BSA). See here for a good critique.

03-10-2003, 02:44 PM	#3
Kinross Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,281	I don't think the girl scouts discriminate against sexual or religous orientation.

03-10-2003, 02:46 PM	#5
BrotherMan Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: City of Dis Posts: 496	Parade raining deleted.

03-10-2003, 02:47 PM	#6
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	Looks like we 3 crossposted, but check out Mageth's link and my post above.

03-10-2003, 04:30 PM	#9
beth Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: where orange blossoms bloom... Posts: 1,802	I've always bought them with the sole purpose of being kind to a sweet little girl. I've never looked at it as supporting an organization. But I do find the exclusion toward atheists to be disturbing. My daughter wants to join the Brownies. I had planned on becoming one of the troup moms. I wouldn't be able to now.

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