The boy scout law
Yesterday the Boys Scouts of America voted to formerly allow bi and homosexual scouts to participate in the organization. This action, which I support, set off new reports and elation as well as disgust and outrage. The thing is now that the vote has occurred and policy will be implemented we now must find ways to heal the organization. I feel that both sides raised valid and valuable points. I just feel that the side which favored inclusion was correct. So now we have a bigger battle, inclusion, not just of those who will now be welcomed in our organization, but also those who disagreed with the decision. I personally believe that the way forward lay with the elements of the scout law. We share these traits here in Tudiabetes. Here is my interpretation of why the Boy Scouts will be successful with this change and why I love Tudiabetes so much. The law states as follows,
A Scout is
Trustworthy, we value our word, and we acknowledge that sometimes doing the right thing is difficult, but we can be counted on to do the things that we might now like yet are right. Trustworthy, means we can be counted on to do the things that will advance justice, even if doing so is distasteful to us. Our advice here is as trustworthy as we can make it.
Loyal, we understand that we adhere to values of organization even when we disagree. We are loyal to ourselves but also to a higher calling. We are willing to do the right thing even that may be uncomfortable. We are loyal to each other. When scouts join we pledge our loyalty to each other. We understand that being loyal may, at some levels, be uncomfortable, but also that we have a duty to embrace our differences, even as we acknowledge our oneness of spirit. Most of us adore this community and are very loyal to it.
Helpful, we know that the world runs on politeness extended to others, and we are dedicated to facilitating that politeness. That means we tolerate that which we disagree with and love those who disagree with us. But we do more than tolerate, we act. It is not enough to sit on the sidelines and forget who we are; we just try, as best we can, make life easier for others we find along our path, even if we disagree with them or their views. Wish to see helpful? Ask a discussion question, we are overflowing with help.
Friendly, that means we are receptive to others. We welcome those we disagree with, in the same manner that we welcome those we agree with. Saying hello is not simply in theory a good idea; rather we count it as something imperative. We have care members who welcome every new member and we do so every day. Yes we are friendly.
Courteous, we do not simply tolerate difference, we acknowledge and uphold the other person’s right to have a different opinion. We don’t see life in two dimensional terms. Instead we see it as a multifaceted mosaic. We practice this every day in this group.
Kind, this means we show understanding for others including their opinion. When we are disagreed with we simply acknowledge that others also deserve to have competing opinions. I know no more kind community that which we are creating at Tudiabetes.
Obedient, is the on law that most of us have the most difficulty with. For instance, being obedient means being true to ourselves as well as external laws, even if we disagree with the rules. Want to talk about obedience? Look no further than our own community. We are all obedient in some way even if that means taking our pills daily.
Cheerful is not tough for most scouts. Ever seen a group of boy going to the woods for a few days to camp? They are cheerful. Now diabetics are a little more difficult. I was and am angry over having this disease. As I tell folks this is a work in progress for this diabetic.
Thrifty, this one is pretty easy to implement, easy to agree with and easy to agree with. In short we don’t waste. This applies to diabetics; I do not know more thrifty people.
Brave, we acknowledge that we might be afraid of things, but even when we are afraid we face them head on. I used this law to help me face my diabetes in 1974. I had to be brave enough to accept who I had become.
Clean, is a funny part of the scout law. It was first expressed at the inception of the program when being clean was not a given. Still many have used this law for their own interpretations of being clean. Clean actually referred the obvious, it meant a scout washes. Clean is not esoterically related to being gay as some expressed in the recent discussion. As for diabetics, I don’t know about you but I go through about 200 alcohol pads every three months. Yeah diabetics are clean or we end u in the hospital.
Reverent is a broad topic and has over time been used to alienate or prevent various groups and individuals from joining our ranks. This current discussion is no different. I have to remind my brothers that at various points, various congregations have said they would leave sponsorship of the movement because of admission of those of the muslin faith, Christian fundamentalists, the church of Jesus Christ of the latter day saints, atheists and agnostics. We have overcome each of these challenges and have found a way to call them reverent. You might wonder how in the case of an agnostic or atheist scouts. We have found that reverence is more than only a strict adherence to God as most of our members understand it. In fact today we acknowledge that reverence may also include wonder for the natural world. In Tudibetes I see lots of reverence and like the BSA we acknowledge that reverence implies a broad meaning even those who have no belief in God as many of us understand her.
For these reasons I am sure that using the scout law we will make it thought this current debate. We also will be stronger on the other side.
And what of TUdiabetes? We are not the boy scouts. Yet our site rules reflect the scout law, likely without even a stretch. I am proud to live here with all of you and thank you for making this community awesome.
-30-
Rick