How Much Must I Boycott?

Remember when everyone made a fuss over Chick-fil-A? When the gay-friendly thing to do was to eat less chicken because the head of the company voiced his opinion on who should marry whom? I was a bit torn on the issue, myself. Boycotting a business based on corporate executive editorializing seems overboard, but when it came out that a fave fast food of mine was contributing funds to anti-gay organizations...I admit, I was bummed. I hated to think that even a nickel of my $5.99 went to marginalizing a community.

I bring this up now because of a recent story that will likely matter even less to you. A comic book I’d be interested in reading has hit enough political controversy that it might not see light and will surely be delayed. The future author of the comic, Orson Scott Card, is a kooky Mormon who doesn’t support gay marriage and thinks global warming is a shame. So, does this alone mean his work should be censored?

Image via Wired.com; Chris Samnee, DC Comics

Seriously, I’m asking you. The Superman title Card will author has lost an illustrator and some distribution due to the controversy. He’s written one of my favorite books, Ender’s Game, which as an upcoming movie that will likely suffer from his views in much the same way. On one hand, I’m happy that there is public consequences for stupid beliefs because it could shame others into not believing them. On the other hand, I’d rather folks dismiss beliefs because they realize they are stupid and not simply because they are unpopular. Then again, it could be said the measure of the stupidity of a belief is a measure of how poorly they reflect the culture...which is it’s own kind of popularity contest.

I think I’ve decided to separate the work from the man. I figure if I stop using and enjoying everything that socially conservative and evangelical people produce or support--my options will become very limited. After all, it’s not like these guys were Nazi’s.

P.S. Ironically, this was written while listening to Wagner.

P.P.S. When the product and the opinions of those in charge are intermingled, I see a greater conflict. The Boy Scouts, who advertise themselves as a ethical guide for young men, should not have policies highlighting bigotry or exclusionism. Likewise, churches, with whatever moral value they may hold, should never let pedophilia slide.

P.P.P.S. Are postscripts just for letters or are blogs okay?

The Boy Scouts Are Not Prepared

A little while ago the it was brought to my attention that I should be outraged by the Boy Scouts. I smiled and nodded  as is my way, and went about my business vaguely wondering why I should care about the club that doesn’t sell cookies. The scouts haven’t been on my radar since I was a cub myself. I don’t exactly have fond memories, most of my fellow cubs were dicks, but it was my first experience with camping, so...I don't know. I just don't really care about the Boy Scouts.

While sitting on the crapper at work I weighted the pros and cons of completeing succumbing to bordem when I ultimately decided to learn a little more about the Boy Scouts of America. First, I checked their Wikipedia page, which, as Wikipedia often does, lead me down a rabbit hole of links. I can now say that I have earned my Boy Scout knowledge merit bag and have come to a conclusion. Fuck those guys.

Not everyone in uniform with their hand raised is a Nazi,
but it sure doesn't make them morally superior either.

Here's the deal: the BSA has, and intends to continue, not allowing nonbelievers and homosexuals into their ranks. This shouldn’t be a controvery, everyone should be upset about this, but we live in a fairytale-fearing world, so it is. The argument for their right to discriminate rests on the freedom of a private organization to do as they choose. Following this argument, privately held employers could just as easily refuse to hire blacks and pay women less--which may be the American dream for some local Libertarians pundits, but it's an unpopular idea for the majority of the country, and rightfully so.

Outside of my fellow scouts being dicks, what I remember about my childhood experience is the motto “always be prepared.” This is exactly what the BSA is not doing. Atheists and agnostics are repeatedly shown to be the fastest growing wordview in the United States. Gays are continuously moving towards acceptance in civil liberties such as the right to marry and have so much good PR that it seems out of style for me to still be into boobs. Are the Scouts really going to join the church in being the last to accept any and all social progress? Appears so.

Confession time. If the Boy Scouts didn’t allow homosexuals into their program for the same reason they don’t allow girls, I wouldn’t be speaking out against them. I wouldn’t be thrilled, but I wouldn’t speak out. This may be unpopular to say, but there is some value in like-minded communities, and straight people and gay people are not like minded in a similar way that boys and girls are not like minded. However, the explicitly cited reason for the exclusion of gay boys is comprimised morality. This is entirely unacceptable--only warranted by a cherry-picked reading of a predominantly fictional ancient text.

Considering this, it’s surprising that the Scouts are not an out-and-out Christian organization. They apparently accept Buddhists, Hindus and even Muslims. The only belief they don’t accept is “none.” I find this odd. Since all these faiths can’t possibily be true, the BSA is effectively saying that they’d rather you believe in a magical history counter to much of what we know about reality and is necessarily false, then choosing to be skeptical of it. Fucking agnostics, the irreligious' most eager to please, aren’t allowed. I just don’t get it.

Disagree? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments. Agree? Then I recommend that you don't support the Boy Scouts of America. They have a big fundraiser this time a year selling Christmas trees. Please take your business elsewhere. As atheists, it is important that we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus without encouraging religious bigotry.