Changes

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the organization has shifted sharply to the [[Liberal|Left]], changing its positions on homosexuality and gender. In 2018, it announced it would accept girls and change its name accordingly,<ref>Multiple references:

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the organization has shifted sharply to the [[Liberal|Left]], changing its positions on homosexuality and gender. In 2018, it announced it would accept girls and change its name accordingly,<ref>Multiple references:

*Murphy, James (May 3, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/28961-boy-scouts-wave-white-flag-of-surrender-to-political-correctness Boy Scouts Wave White Flag of Surrender to Political Correctness]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

*Murphy, James (May 3, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/28961-boy-scouts-wave-white-flag-of-surrender-to-political-correctness Boy Scouts Wave White Flag of Surrender to Political Correctness]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 3, 2018.

*Gaydos, Ryan (May 2, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/02/boy-scouts-to-change-name-drop-boy-and-accept-girls-in-2019-organization-says.html Boy Scouts to change name, drop 'Boy' and accept girls in 2019, organization says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*Gaydos, Ryan (May 2, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/02/boy-scouts-to-change-name-drop-boy-and-accept-girls-in-2019-organization-says.html Boy Scouts to change name, drop 'Boy' and accept girls in 2019, organization says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*Huston, Warner Todd (May 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/02/boy-scouts-name-change-looms-now-girls-allowed-join/ Boy Scouts Name Change Looms Now that Girls Allowed to Join]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*Huston, Warner Todd (May 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/02/boy-scouts-name-change-looms-now-girls-allowed-join/ Boy Scouts Name Change Looms Now that Girls Allowed to Join]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 2, 2018.

*Chretien, Claire (May 2, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/boy-scouts-to-drop-boy-from-its-name-launches-new-inclusiveness-campaign Boy Scouts to drop ‘boy’ from program name, launches new ‘inclusiveness’ campaign]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 2 2018.</ref> and it even created all-girl troops.<ref>Mass, Warren (February 5, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/31411-boy-scouts-now-welcome-girls-and-even-all-girls-troops Boy Scouts Now Welcome Girls and Even All-girls Troops]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 6, 2019.</ref> Additionally, it was reported that it would make condoms available at its 2019 World Scout Jamboree and permit alcohol in certain areas.<ref>Starr, Penny (May 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/22/boy-scouts-adds-girls-order-condom-availability-at-world-jamboree/ Boy Scouts Make Another Change: Condoms at Scout Jamboree]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref><ref>Bohon, Dave (May 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/29114-boy-scouts-mandate-condoms-for-2019-jamboree Boy Scouts Mandate Condoms for 2019 Jamboree]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref> Shortly afterward, BSA considered declaring financial bankruptcy from its declining enrollment and rising legal fees.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (December 14, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30925-moral-bankruptcy-leads-to-financial-bankruptcy-for-boy-scouts Moral Bankruptcy Leads to Financial Bankruptcy for Boy Scouts]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2018.</ref>

*Chretien, Claire (May 2, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/boy-scouts-to-drop-boy-from-its-name-launches-new-inclusiveness-campaign Boy Scouts to drop ‘boy’ from program name, launches new ‘inclusiveness’ campaign]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 2 2018.</ref> and it even created all-girl troops.<ref>Mass, Warren (February 5, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/31411-boy-scouts-now-welcome-girls-and-even-all-girls-troops Boy Scouts Now Welcome Girls and Even All-girls Troops]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 6, 2019.</ref> Additionally, it was reported that it would make condoms available at its 2019 World Scout Jamboree and permit alcohol in certain areas.<ref>Starr, Penny (May 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/22/boy-scouts-adds-girls-order-condom-availability-at-world-jamboree/ Boy Scouts Make Another Change: Condoms at Scout Jamboree]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref><ref>Bohon, Dave (May 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/29114-boy-scouts-mandate-condoms-for-2019-jamboree Boy Scouts Mandate Condoms for 2019 Jamboree]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref> Shortly afterward, BSA considered declaring financial bankruptcy from its declining enrollment and rising legal fees.<ref>Adelmann, Bob (December 14, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30925-moral-bankruptcy-leads-to-financial-bankruptcy-for-boy-scouts Moral Bankruptcy Leads to Financial Bankruptcy for Boy Scouts]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2018.</ref>

===Defining America's greatness===

===Defining America's greatness===

Many presidents have praised and addressed the Boy Scouts over the years.  President [[Calvin Coolidge]] told Scouts in 1924 that the three fundamentals of scouthood are reverence for nature, for the law and for God.<ref>[http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24184 Coolidge, "Telephone Remarks to a Group of Boy Scouts," July 25, 1924]</ref>   

Many presidents have praised and addressed the Boy Scouts over the years.  President [[Calvin Coolidge]] told Scouts in 1924 that the three fundamentals of scouthood are reverence for nature, for the law and for God.<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=24184 Coolidge, "Telephone Remarks to a Group of Boy Scouts," July 25, 1924]</ref>   

"There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer....Resolve that the sacrifices by which your great opportunities have been purchased will be matched by a sacrifice, on your part, that will give your children even a better chance....Faith is the great motive power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is a part of an unending plan."

"There is new life in the soil for every man. There is healing in the trees for tired minds and for our overburdened spirits, there is strength in the hills, if only we will lift up our eyes. Remember that nature is your great restorer....Resolve that the sacrifices by which your great opportunities have been purchased will be matched by a sacrifice, on your part, that will give your children even a better chance....Faith is the great motive power, and no man realizes his full possibilities unless he has the deep conviction that life is eternally important, and that his work, well done, is a part of an unending plan."

Prohibition of homosexual scout leaders is not universal within the BSA, however. The Massachusetts Minuteman Council, for example, adopted a bylaw in 2001 barring exclusion of anyone on the basis of race, religion, or [[sexual orientation]]. The bylaw, which resembles the U. S. Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, permits homosexuals to lead troops so long as they do not discuss their sexual orientation. A few other councils have similar policies.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010802/ai_n13920546 Mass. Scouts permit gay leaders], Chicago Sun-Times,  Aug 2, 2001</ref>

Prohibition of homosexual scout leaders is not universal within the BSA, however. The Massachusetts Minuteman Council, for example, adopted a bylaw in 2001 barring exclusion of anyone on the basis of race, religion, or [[sexual orientation]]. The bylaw, which resembles the U. S. Military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, permits homosexuals to lead troops so long as they do not discuss their sexual orientation. A few other councils have similar policies.<ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010802/ai_n13920546 Mass. Scouts permit gay leaders], Chicago Sun-Times,  Aug 2, 2001</ref>

In 2013, the Boy Scouts of America lifted its ban on gay youth. In 2015, the organization lifted its ban on gay leaders.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/la-na-nn-boy-scouts-gay-leaders-20150713-story.html#page=1 "Boy Scouts of America moves to stop banning gay troop leaders," ''Los Angeles Times,'' July 13, 2015.]</ref>  In 2017, it lifted the ban on [[Gender confusion|gender-confused]] scouts.<ref>https://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-goodbye-boy-scouts-of-america-you-spineless-cowards/</ref>

In 2013, the Boy Scouts of America lifted its ban on gay youth. In 2015, the organization lifted its ban on gay leaders.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/la-na-nn-boy-scouts-gay-leaders-20150713-story.html#page=1 "Boy Scouts of America moves to stop banning gay troop leaders," ''Los Angeles Times,'' July 13, 2015.]</ref>  In 2017, it lifted the ban on [[Gender confusion|gender-confused]] scouts.<ref>https://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-goodbye-boy-scouts-of-america-you-spineless-cowards/</ref>

[[Atheist]] Scouts have also been removed from the organization on the basis of the twelfth point of the Scout Law being "reverent".<ref>http://www.beliefnet.com/story/116/story_11619_1.html</ref>

[[Atheist]] Scouts have also been removed from the organization on the basis of the twelfth point of the Scout Law being "reverent".<ref>http://www.beliefnet.com/story/116/story_11619_1.html</ref>