In the year 1054, Pope Leo IX and one of his Eastern patriarchs, Michael I, got into a power struggle. The Pope believed he had absolute authority over all Christians, east and west, while Michael saw Leo as a figurehead with no authority over the Eastern Church and its doctrines. The two men ex-communicated each other, and, to this day, the east and west churches remain apart. That break-up became known as “The Great Schism”, and it has lasted in part because the Vatican refuses to relinquish its status as God’s chief interpreter, arbiter, and enforcer here on earth. Now, another great schism has occurred between two God-fearing factions, but this time the split isn’t between church leaders. It’s between the Church and millions of children who are involved in Scouting.
Last month Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City ordered all churches in his diocese to cut ties with Girl Scouts because the Scouts “are no longer a compatible partner in helping us form young women with the virtues and values of the Gospel.” That means Catholic churches will no longer host or support Girl Scout troops, and priests will no longer sell or facilitate the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Naumann says his cease-and-desist action is warranted because Girl Scouts USA pays dues to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which, in turn, supports Planned Parenthood.
But the schism doesn’t just affect Scouts in Kansas City. The controversy over social issues like birth control and sexual orientation has been brewing for several years. According to Huffington Post correspondent Carol Kuruvilla, in 2014 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops took Girl Scouts USA to task for its indirect ties to WAGGGS, saying it was “morally objectionable that WAGGGS promoted educating girls about their sexual and reproductive rights.” That opened the door for archbishops to begin transitioning away from sponsorship of local Girl Scout troops. In fact, the Archdiocese of St. Louis cut ties with Girl Scouts last year, and, with Naumann’s recent decision, other Catholic churches are expected to follow suit.
And it’s not just girl scouts who are feeling the heat from their church sponsors. Last summer the Boy Scouts of America announced it would begin accepting gay scout leaders and volunteers. A month later, Bishop David Kagan told churches in North Dakota to stop supporting Boy Scout troops. Kagan told the Catholic News Agency, “I cannot permit our Catholic institutions to accept and participate directly or indirectly in any organization whose policies contradict the authoritative teachings of the Catholic Church.” But there’s more bad news for Boy Scouts. Last month, the Mormon Church announced it too was cutting ties with them because of BSA’s acceptance of gay and transgender men and boys.
According to Julie Zauzmer of the Washington Post, the Mormon Church will begin to create its own youth program for teenage boys, in lieu of supporting BSA troops. Meanwhile, pastor Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries, is also calling for a boycott of BSA, saying that, “Boy Scouts (of America) don’t care about the souls of young men because the Bible warns that homosexuals don’t go to heaven.” If these church boycotts continue to grow among all denominations, millions of boy scouts and girl scouts will find their troops displaced and in search of hosts and sponsors.
I must admit I am perplexed by these scouting schisms. Church leaders profess to know the wishes of God, and demand that scouts follow strict interpretations of those wishes. Yet both boy scouts and girl scouts are, by their very mission, dedicated to following God’s word. The Boy Scout Oath, for example, includes a “Duty to God”, while the Girl Scout Promise includes a pledge “to serve God.”
Moreover, these young people don’t just sell cookies and go on camping trips. They collect food and clothing for the needy, clean up streets and streams, visit Alzheimer’s units, and volunteer at homeless shelters. In fact, Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Lowe believed that a scout’s spiritual development must be tied to community service. Translation? Serving God means serving our fellow man, not excluding him.
Last month a girl scout in the Czech Republic confronted an angry mob of Neo-Nazi bullies who were protesting against diversity. The young girl engaged one of the racist homophobes in a conversation, and before long, the crowd had calmed.
Perhaps if angry church leaders would take the time to meet with scouts and learn what these fine young people are doing for others, then they would realize that these boycotts and schisms are misdirected, and will only serve to hurt the kids they profess to care about. Until then, it’s important to note that bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they have shaved heads and wear swastikas on their clothing, and sometimes they wear robes and crosses. I think God wants us to stand up to all of them.
Separation of Church and Scout
In the year 1054, Pope Leo IX and one of his Eastern patriarchs, Michael I, got into a power struggle. The Pope believed he had absolute authority over all Christians, east and west, while Michael saw Leo as a figurehead with no authority over the Eastern Church and its doctrines. The two men ex-communicated each other, and, to this day, the east and west churches remain apart. That break-up became known as “The Great Schism”, and it has lasted in part because the Vatican refuses to relinquish its status as God’s chief interpreter, arbiter, and enforcer here on earth. Now, another great schism has occurred between two God-fearing factions, but this time the split isn’t between church leaders. It’s between the Church and millions of children who are involved in Scouting.
Last month Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City ordered all churches in his diocese to cut ties with Girl Scouts because the Scouts “are no longer a compatible partner in helping us form young women with the virtues and values of the Gospel.” That means Catholic churches will no longer host or support Girl Scout troops, and priests will no longer sell or facilitate the sale of Girl Scout cookies. Naumann says his cease-and-desist action is warranted because Girl Scouts USA pays dues to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which, in turn, supports Planned Parenthood.
But the schism doesn’t just affect Scouts in Kansas City. The controversy over social issues like birth control and sexual orientation has been brewing for several years. According to Huffington Post correspondent Carol Kuruvilla, in 2014 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops took Girl Scouts USA to task for its indirect ties to WAGGGS, saying it was “morally objectionable that WAGGGS promoted educating girls about their sexual and reproductive rights.” That opened the door for archbishops to begin transitioning away from sponsorship of local Girl Scout troops. In fact, the Archdiocese of St. Louis cut ties with Girl Scouts last year, and, with Naumann’s recent decision, other Catholic churches are expected to follow suit.
And it’s not just girl scouts who are feeling the heat from their church sponsors. Last summer the Boy Scouts of America announced it would begin accepting gay scout leaders and volunteers. A month later, Bishop David Kagan told churches in North Dakota to stop supporting Boy Scout troops. Kagan told the Catholic News Agency, “I cannot permit our Catholic institutions to accept and participate directly or indirectly in any organization whose policies contradict the authoritative teachings of the Catholic Church.” But there’s more bad news for Boy Scouts. Last month, the Mormon Church announced it too was cutting ties with them because of BSA’s acceptance of gay and transgender men and boys.
According to Julie Zauzmer of the Washington Post, the Mormon Church will begin to create its own youth program for teenage boys, in lieu of supporting BSA troops. Meanwhile, pastor Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries, is also calling for a boycott of BSA, saying that, “Boy Scouts (of America) don’t care about the souls of young men because the Bible warns that homosexuals don’t go to heaven.” If these church boycotts continue to grow among all denominations, millions of boy scouts and girl scouts will find their troops displaced and in search of hosts and sponsors.
I must admit I am perplexed by these scouting schisms. Church leaders profess to know the wishes of God, and demand that scouts follow strict interpretations of those wishes. Yet both boy scouts and girl scouts are, by their very mission, dedicated to following God’s word. The Boy Scout Oath, for example, includes a “Duty to God”, while the Girl Scout Promise includes a pledge “to serve God.”
Moreover, these young people don’t just sell cookies and go on camping trips. They collect food and clothing for the needy, clean up streets and streams, visit Alzheimer’s units, and volunteer at homeless shelters. In fact, Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Lowe believed that a scout’s spiritual development must be tied to community service. Translation? Serving God means serving our fellow man, not excluding him.
Last month a girl scout in the Czech Republic confronted an angry mob of Neo-Nazi bullies who were protesting against diversity. The young girl engaged one of the racist homophobes in a conversation, and before long, the crowd had calmed.
Perhaps if angry church leaders would take the time to meet with scouts and learn what these fine young people are doing for others, then they would realize that these boycotts and schisms are misdirected, and will only serve to hurt the kids they profess to care about. Until then, it’s important to note that bullies come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they have shaved heads and wear swastikas on their clothing, and sometimes they wear robes and crosses. I think God wants us to stand up to all of them.