Maybe Im going to hell. I think its possible.
I think the boyscouts are A CULT. From the outside looking in, this is what I see. A group of adults directing young adults. They dress the same, look the same, act the same. They have 'goals' that are flimsy. The parents are allowed to push and prod and practically achieve said goals FOR the scout. There is no checks and balances. They eat the same thing, go the same places, even pitch their tent the same way. It MAKES. ME. CRAZY. Lets have something positive for our children, instead of assessing their ability to swim 100 feet. Seriously? What sort of life lesson is that? Lets teach them how to REALLY do something. Lets teach them compassion, respect, and actually have rules that they MUST follow! One scout that I know (and love) doesnt even follow the premise of scouting. His parents have literally drug him along for the past 8 years. I cant think of a single time he was motivated to achieve a goal ON HIS OWN. He has failed grades of high school, learned foul language (that is used in front of his parents and grandparents), wished bad things upon our president and generally been atrocious. There were ZERO repercussions. He still spent all his free time (instead of doing homework) being pushed to get a merit badge of some sort. He is smart. Brilliantly smart, but just NOT what scouts are "supposed" to be. THIS makes me crazy. These boys are supposed to be respectful, use clean language, love everyone, attempt to teach everyone something. I see a group of predominately white, racists families that are in a constant pissing contest to see which son can pirouette 66 times off of a wooden plank in a smelly camp to achieve the ballerina badge. The parents are JUST as bad. I cant tell you how many times Ive overheard conversations regarding the scouting drama. "So n so wears their clothes too tight, so n sos mom showed her boobies...so n so made the wrong words during a speech". So what does THIS teach the boys? Its alright to run each other down? Its alright to gossip and talk badly about people? They can get THAT little piece of ethic in public school. No need to monopolize all their time teaching them about gossip and drama, thats for sure! And lets not even get started on the dozens of times I have heard one political party or another being run down. Predominately democratic, leading me to add that these families are predominately white, republican, racist families.
I dont get it. Maybe its cause im a girl. Maybe its cause I never was a part of scouting. Or, maybe I know scouts that are full of shit and false pretenses and its disgusting. Who knows. I dont mean this to offend anyone. Sorry if it has. (although, it is MY life as I see it). I just sat through a ceremony today, in a church, and listened to what went on peripherally (not to mention the load of .....stuff that people were saying from the pulpit). If those boys wearing those same brown and green uniforms said GOD one time, they said it 50. Pretty sure basic fundamentals say not to take the Lord's name in vain. Im irritated over this. Ive long thought it was silly.
My children will be involved in 4H, where they can learn responsibility, pride in accomplishing something, compassion, care for creatures, and self respect. So there.
5 years ago
You don't know what you are talking about. (By your own admission). Scouting serves hundreds of thousands of boys and *girls* all over the world. You are showing your ignorance when you condemn an entire organization from your experience of a very few.
ReplyDeleteInstead of sitting in judgment, why don't you do some research? Actually visit a meeting (yes, you CAN visit as a girl). Find a Venturing unit near you. Do some online research of Venturing.
You have A LOT to learn.
I have visited meetings, our family is very involved with the scouts. I realize that it serves people all over, but its also a drama filled pissing contest. I sat in amazement at the amount of crap,literally, untrue crap, that was said about one person, all in the name of scouting. If they want to continue to be an amazing organization, they needed to tighten it up just a bit. And, Im only speaking from MY experience, its my perogative.
ReplyDeleteOh, and Im guessing the boyscouts led you in the right direction, too. I can tell by your anonymous slam. Hmm...Maybe Im not as ignorant as you might hope?
ReplyDeleteMy family grew up with Scouting (not scouting) in the center of it. What you have seen is not representative of the organization as a whole, nor the values Scouting represents. Yes, you may have seen pissing contests, but it sounds more like lax values being taught at home and no repercussions. It is not the Scoutmaster's job to dole out punishment for actions at home but lead the Scout in the Scout Oath and Law. If the Scout chooses not to follow those in his own personal life, then he is not being a good representative of the program, and that is sad. Scouting offers many things to many young adults, and offers much in the way of values and role models. Would you agree that these men provide good role models? Each of these men have not only been Scouts, but either are or have been (if they are deceased) Eagle Scouts: Hank Aaron, Neil Armstrong, James Brady, Gerald Ford, Steven Fossett, Robert Gates, Dr. Alfred Linsey, Gary Locke, James Lovell, J. Willard Marriott, Steven Spielberg, John Tesh, and even Sam Walton.
ReplyDeleteLook a little further beyond where you've looked. You might be surprised. After 40 years of exposure (not counting my father's experiences as a boy growing up), I am a little biased, but you're bashing a group that doesn't deserve it.
Eh, I think Kerri is right. Boy Scouts, and I was in the girl scouts growing up, is nothing more than cult in disguise! We, 30 yrs ago, did not have the money to keep up with the Jones's therefore my sister and I were the outcast of the group. We were left out of activities that were supposed to be for everyone. I am sure initially this organization was set forth to help society produce responsible, helpful individuals since this job of the home was lost when we sent our women to work while our men were at war. Problem is, the women never came back home and the raising of the kids was left to whoever would do it. Like everything else, however, the vision has been lost. Now, you can live under the guise of a perceived "good" organization and do whatever you please. If you look like them SURELY you must be like them! Our society no longer holds anyone accountable for anything. Live one way and talk another. It's biased bullcrap! Either you are consistent or you aren't! Let he who is without sin cast the first stone......and have the guts to sign your name! I dare say most of those "famous" people mentioned had motivation to help only themselves primarily and the little bit that they gave to others was just self-justification.....in the guise of helping others. Look at the Legacy of the people now. What does that tell you?
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