BSA may lose support, respect

The Boy Scouts of America does much good in our country primarily because of the principles it stands for and the service the scouts provide — think food drives, war-bond drives, recycling drives and service projects everywhere. The BSA teaches boys and adults to be prepared to “do a good turn daily” and to be good citizens and leaders. Millions of people in and out of the organization have benefited from the BSA for more than 100 years here in the United States.

News sources indicate the executive board of the Boy Scouts of America is considering a policy change that would allow gays or homosexuals to join its organization [“Boy Scouts may end its national ban on gays,” page one, Jan. 29]. This would be a significant change in policy.

The BSA may be facing considerable pressures financially and otherwise to lift these current restrictions. However, if the BSA changes that policy now, I believe it will lose so much more when churches and other sponsors withdraw their financial and moral support. It will also lose some of my respect for what the organization has always stood for — courage, honor and integrity.

--Garen Fletcher, Kent