Paul Wilczynski's Observations

Boy Scouts a religious organization?

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that at least one judge considers the Boy Scouts a religious organization.

An appellate court panel is weighing arguments over whether the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that has banned gay troop leaders and compels members to swear an oath to God, has the right to use city-owned parkland in San Diego....

The American Civil Liberties Union sued San Diego and the Boy Scouts in August 2000 on behalf of a lesbian couple and an agnostic couple, each with scouting-age sons. They filed the lawsuit after the City Council voted to extend the group's 50-year lease of Balboa Park camp space for another 25 years.

In July 2003, U.S. District Judge Napoleon Jones Jr. sided with the plaintiffs, ruling that San Diego acted improperly when it leased 18 acres of camp space to the Scouts. The judge ruled that the group is a religious organization and the lease violated federal law that prohibits the government promotion of religion. ...

A tip of the hat to The Revealer.

posted by Paul Wilczynski @ 8:15 AM