Reverend Franklin Graham does not think that it's a good idea for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to have gay adult leaders, even though the BSA itself deemed that there's no harm in it.
"More disappointing news about the BSA yesterday as they voted to allow gay adult leaders. 79 percent of their Board voted in favour of this unfathomable change — I still find it hard to believe that BSA doesn't see the dangers in this," he wrote on his Facebook page.
Graham questions why parents would want to entrust their sons to an organisation that has chosen the same direction as BSA did. He said people should instead follow the example of Trail Life USA, whose main focus on adult leadership is "turning boys into godly men."
"They teach biblical, moral values in their programs. There's a great need for this in our culture today — may God bless their work," he said.
Graham isn't alone in his views. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said in a statement that they are "deeply troubled" about the BSA's decision and are now re-evaluating their involvement with the BSA.
"The Church has always welcomed all boys to its Scouting units regardless of sexual orientation," the church statement said. "However, the admission of openly gay leaders is inconsistent with the doctrines of the Church and what have traditionally been the values of the BSA."
On the other hand, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said the BSA's recent move is not enough to quell the prejudice against the LGBTQ community, although it is considered a positive development.
"Today's vote by the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay, lesbian and bisexual adults to work and volunteer is a welcome step toward erasing a stain on this important organisation," he said. "But including an exemption for troops sponsored by religious organisations undermines and diminishes the historic nature of today's decision. Discrimination should have no place in the Boy Scouts, period."
