Scout Backers Direct Oaths at Columnist
Judging from the smoke pouring from the phone and e-mail bin, it would be fair to categorize Wednesday’s column as “unpopular.”
I argued that the Boy Scouts of America shouldn’t have expelled the 16-year-old Randall twins of Anaheim Hills for not believing in God, on the grounds that no one knows for sure what one’s private-most thoughts truly are. I lauded the boys for at least being honest in their agnosticism.
Virtually all of the callers took me to the woodshed, but I almost wrote today’s column on the Cub Scout leader who phoned, extolled the Scout program as a great way to build character and then said she’s an atheist. Her point was that she conceals her atheism because she believes in Scouting and wants to stay in the organization and help youngsters “to be good human beings.” She supports the Randall twins, whom the courts have so far allowed to remain as Scouts, and thinks the religious requirement has little to do with the essential Scouting themes.
However, instead of listening to her story, gird yourself for a wave of readers who objected to the Wednesday column.
* “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about,” one “very upset” woman said. “A lot of dedicated parents have worked a lot of years, and to have the Randalls take all the value out of Scouting. . . . Some of us still believe in duty to God. I know that’s beyond your comprehension because you’re such a [she didn’t finish that thought]. I feel like canceling my subscription. I’ve never felt so angry. My son is working toward Eagle Scout, and [the Randall legal case] cheapens every Eagle Scout out there. It’s like saying we want to belong to an organization, but we don’t want to believe in any of its tenets. It’s stupid.”
* “I just felt like you have such a big bias against the Boy Scouts. I want to know if you ever made it to Eagle Scout, because it’s obvious if [the Randalls] don’t believe in God, then that’s the Boy Scouts’ prerogative to have them in or not. I just think perhaps you don’t believe in anyone and you have a need to challenge everyone else who doesn’t believe in the same thing you do. I think you probably need to go talk to a psychiatrist, because you have very strong feelings in the wrong direction.”
* “My husband and I have always enjoyed you. We’ve lived in Orange County all our lives, have taken the L.A. Times always. We were disappointed in your article today about the Boy Scouts. You actually mocked them and made their belief in religion a joke.”
* “You are wrong. The Boy Scouts are one of the things based on the things that built America. Everything can’t be compromised over a cup of coffee. You’re dead wrong. Please just shut your mouth and stay out of it.”
* “You made some pretty good points, but I wonder if it would have gone this far if [the Randalls’] father weren’t an attorney.”
* “Me, my wife, a couple of our friends--we’re those scary right-wing Christian types. . . . We go to work, don’t break laws, don’t have illegal immigrants doing our housework, don’t have our boys put their hands in other boys’ pants. . . . The Randall twins need to start their own organization. Gloria Allred needs to start her own Scouts program [with] a bunch of atheists, gays and feminists. Let them have their own things. Let the Scouts have their own thing. In the name of tolerance, I implore you, please have respect for the right-wing Christian moral point of view. I know you’re a leftist and you can’t.”
* “I’m in total disagreement with your entire column. I’m really surprised, but I think you’ve just taken the wrong tack. Those twins are being manipulated by their father.”
* “I gotta say, you sunk to an all-new low. I can’t believe you’re going to equate the Boy Scouts with the Iraqi Republican Guard. It’s a very bad comparison and you’re going to receive a lot of flak. I’m almost looking forward to reading articles about that.”
* “I just cannot disagree with you more. I’m so tired of society having to change every time to accommodate one person who’s different. The Boy Scouts have been around forever. Why do two kids go in, and they push this thing? You blame the Scouts. How about the father? I just don’t understand you people in the news anymore. I read your column, I agree sometimes, but this time you’re completely wrong.”
* “The Promise [including taking an oath to God] has always been the foundation of Scouting. This means if you don’t want to make that Promise, you may join another organization, not the Scouts.”
* “I’m not a religious zealot, but I feel the Boy Scouts of America [have] every right to have God in their oath and expect those who want to join to live by that oath. The Scouts, after all, is a voluntary organization.”
Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Parsons by calling (714) 966-7821 or by writing to him at the Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626, or by e-mail to dana.parsons@latimes.com