Liberty and justice for all

UPDATE: Here is a link to sign the petition for Ryan to receive his Eagle Scout award. Sign the petition HERE

(This post isn't meant to offend anyone. It's purpose is simply to make you think. You may disagree with me entirely. I'm okay with that. You know why? Because that is your right as an American and as a human being. You and I are each entitled to our separate opinions, no matter what the other says.)

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America,

and to the republic for which it stands, 

one nation, under God, indivisible, 

with liberty and justice for all.

Those are some beautiful words right there. Taken at face value, they are something that we are so used to hearing that we forget how truly inspiring and beautiful they really are. It's about love and respect for our country, patriotism for the ideals that we were founded upon, and the promise of a just and fair world for the people. 

"With liberty and justice for all." 

According to Google, liberty is defined as: "The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life," while justice is defined as: "The quality of being fair and reasonable." 

The state of being free within society. Not being oppressed by restrictions imposted on one's way of life. Fair and reasonable. Remember those words while you read this post...

Last night, I had a conversation with a very dear friend. A former Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), he came out during college. That's right. He's gay. He became an Eagle Scout while growing up in North Carolina, years before his sexual orientation would become a part of his life. He was a kid, who loved joining with his fellow troop members and doing what kids love to do. Be themselves. Unfortunately, the Boy Scouts of America have recently come to the conclusion that they will not recognize or admit young men who are gay into their organization, because they believe that homosexuality is morally wrong. After listening to the message broadcast by the BSA and the hurt and humiliation that they have inflicted not only on scouts, but on homosexual parents attempting to be troop leaders, my friend has made the decision to return his Eagle Scout award. I guess you would have to know a little bit about him to see how passionate about this he is. Fortunately, with his permission, he sent me the letter that he is enclosing with his award to the BSA:

Boy Scouts of America,
When I was in middle school and high school, I treasured the BSA. Going to meeting was something that I looked forward to every week. The experiences of camping, of bonding with my brother Scouts, of learning the values that make young men into strong leaders were all things that made me incredibly proud. Today, I am ashamed to be an Eagle Scout. It breaks my heart that an organization that I so loved and that made me the man that I am today would betray a scout- who has fulfilled every requirement for this organization’s highest honor simply because he is gay. I am currently applying to graduate schools for Theology, which was also my undergraduate major. I have spent a great deal of time reading the Bible and, gentlemen, what I can tell you, is that the overwhelming message is one of love and justice. Moreover, the general consensus among many biblical scholars today is that the “sin of Sodom”, as it would have been understood in historical context, refers to failure to practice hospitality. On these grounds, I think the reasonable assertion is that it is in fact the BSA who are the real Sodomites and the ones who are actually failing in their duty to God. Your actions in denying this young man his Eagle Scout award are neither loving nor just. As a gay man, a former Eagle Scout, and a committed Christian, I can tell you that I do not condone your sin. I have therefore, enclosed materials from my Eagle Award. Ryan Andresen has not failed in his duty, the BSA has. So my sodomite friends, kindly take this award and stick it up your ass.

If the letter isn't enough to make you think, then maybe this is. Not only is my friend returning HIS Eagle Scout award...his father is, too. To show support for his son, his father is returning an award that he has proudly held for decades. Unfortunately, the feeling is no longer of pride, but of shame.

I left out his name, not because he is embarrassed about his decision. The exactly opposite, actually. I left out his name because, although he is one of my closest friends, it is not my story to tell. I asked him for permission to share this letter and parts of his story with you so that you can see how distinctly against the message that we preach every day in our schools the BSA truly is. 

Liberty and justice for all. Not for only straight people. Not for only whites, only blacks, only my grandmother's second cousin twice removed. For all. Everyone. This is the promise that we have made every day for as long as I can remember. We have stood together as one throughout our years of schooling, in different organizations such as the Junior Women's Club that I am a part of, every Rotary Club meeting I have ever attended, and as I'm sure, during each Boy Scout meeting. 

So the next time you speak those words while turned towards our beautiful and regal flag, take a few moments to actually reflect on your words and what they mean to you, and to our country. I understand that the BSA is a private organization, but if they truly consider themselves the Boy Scouts of AMERICA, then maybe they should take a second look at how their policy violates the very flag that they represent. 

So read it again. Study it. Dig deep and think about what these words of pure poetry mean to you. 

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America,

and to the republic for which it stands, 

one nation, under God, indivisible, 

with liberty and justice for all.