We are writing to you to share some viewpoints about recent media coverage concerning the Boy Scouts of America.

This past June, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed the Boy Scouts of America's standing as a private organization with the right to establish its own membership and leadership standards. This historic decision has strengthened our resolve to remain a beacon of values and ideals.

Since our inception in 1910, the Boy Scouts of America has always taught youth the traditional values of the Scout Oath and Law. These values are consistent with the ideals embraced by most American families and are grounded in the tenets and teachings of the majority of the world's religions. We believe an avowed homosexual is not a role model for the values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law.

It is ironic, in our pluralistic society, that some who champion individualism, tolerance, and diversity do not practice these principles themselves. We cannot expect that every person will agree with every policy or principle of every group or organization in our country. That is why our forefathers came to this land: to establish a nation where citizens had the right to have differing opinions. From the beginning, Scouts are taught respect - respect for different ideas, customs, and cultures - and to recognize the right of individuals to subscribe to other beliefs. However, respect doesn't include forced inclusion of values, ethics, or morals that are contrary to your own. We would hope that our critics would allow children to remain children and not insert them into the politics of the day.

In an age when morality is often viewed as irrelevant, we reaffirm Scouting's resolve to remain a beacon of values and ideals. Scouting aims to immerse America's youth in character-building experiences without subjecting them to the politics of the day. No youth organization or club should ever be used as a vehicle for promoting a political or social agenda. Childhood is too important.

Some have chosen to challenge the BSA's values, asking whether they are what is best for America's youth. The resounding answer to that question is YES!

Sincerely,