wfn.org | United Methodist Men to support New Jersey Boy Scout appeal

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept.  20, 1999 News media contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville,
Tenn.  10-21-28-71B{479}

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -The United Methodist agency responsible for
scouting ministries says the government does not have the right to dictate
to a group what it religious beliefs should be.

During its Sept.17-19 meeting, the Commission on United Methodist Men
agreed, in a roll call vote of 13 to 4, to support an appeal to the U.S.
Supreme Court regarding a New Jersey court ruling against the Boy Scouts of
America.  	The men's group says that the Boy Scouts should have the
right to set its own course without interference from the government.

In August, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that the Boy Scouts of America
could not discriminate against a leader who is homosexual because of the
state's laws against discrimination. The court ruled the Scouts are a "place
of public accommodation."  The court also ruled the Scouts are "public"
because they are chartered by the federal government and receive aid from
public groups such as schools, fire departments and the federal government,
including the military. 

The Commission on United Methodist Men -- which houses the Office of
Scouting Ministry -- voted to join with the Church of the Latter Day Saints
(LDS) in September 1998 in a friend of the court brief to the New Jersey
Supreme Court in the case of James Dale verses the Boy Scouts of America.

By doing so, the commission voiced its support of the Boy Scouts to be
allowed to select leadership in scouting in a historical and traditional
manner, according to Larry Coppock, director of the Office of Scouting
Ministry.   Other religious groups joining the brief were the Roman Catholic
Church and the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church. 

"It is important for us to join the appeal," Coppock said. "We are the
number one charter organization of Boy Scouts of America and it is our
belief that the Boy Scouts should be able to select and recruit leadership
in accordance with their guidelines and principles." 

Membership in the Boy Scouting organization through local United Methodist
churches total more than 421,000 in 11,738 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops
and Venture crews.  More than 8,000 United Methodist churches charter at
least one scout unit. 

According to the Rev. Joseph Harris, top executive at the commission, the
decision of the United Methodist Men to join in this appeal is "a statement
for the traditional Boy Scout way of choosing its leaders."

Two commission members said the body's decision to appeal is discriminatory
and believe the New Jersey court decision should stand.

"I voted against the amicus brief because I cannot support any view that
would imply that a person's gifts, participation or place in the church is
dependent on his or her sexual orientation," said the Rev. Faith Conklin of
Escondido Calif.  "I find it incompatible with Christ's teaching to receive
persons into the membership and life of the church and then deny them the
opportunity to practice their faith and commitment to be leaders and
servants. Such action also conflicts and is inconsistent with our stated
affirmation of the worth of every person and out commitment to reject
justice denying policies of discrimination."

Although acknowledging the board's decision to support the brief, the Rev.
Jeff Cox of Lynn Mass., said it is his belief that "out of our baptism we
should not universally restrict lay people to participate in scouting
ministries.

"It is sad that a national body will support eliminating people regardless
of what sexual orientation means," he added. "We as a church keep putting up
barriers to keep people out." 

At the core of the appeal is the right of religious sponsors of scouting to
decide the meaning, purpose of scouting and how it will be run, according to
Alexander Dushku, an attorney representing the law firm of the LDS church
and a drafter of the amicus brief.

He told the men's commission that this case of "public accomodation" verses
"private" is broader than sexual orientation but has the potential to open
the Boy Scouts of America organization up to issues from atheists and
agnostics.  The Scouts Oath and Law is based on a belief in God. 

Dushku said the religious groups are appealing the New Jersey Supreme Court
decision because the Boy Scouts of America have a "First Amendment right to
govern themselves and how they are going to conduct their affairs." He said
religious sponsors of scouting also have a right to control how ministry
functions.  

In other action, Bishop Ray Owen, San Antonio and president of the
Commission on United Methodist Men reported on how the agency is still
negotiating with the United Methodist Board of Discipleship about reserve
funds. 

Board members also:
	*	adopted the concept of a pre-campaign survey that would
provide information for endowment fund development;
	*	passed a proposal to begin examining the issue of
clergywomen and men's ministry;
	*	approved legislation to General Conference; and
	*	resolved to continue with Pan-Methodist events but
encouraged joint organization, sponsorship and funding.

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