Changes

The Boys Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910 by James West.  The movement began two years earlier in England, where Lieutenant-General [[Sir Robert Baden-Powell]] founded it.  He had been a hero of the South African Boer Wars.  

The Boys Scouts of America was founded on February 8, 1910 by James West.  The movement began two years earlier in England, where Lieutenant-General [[Sir Robert Baden-Powell]] founded it.  He had been a hero of the South African Boer Wars.  

Today the Boy Scouts are the largest voluntary youth group in the world. Its membership exceeds 25 million.  

Today the Scout Movement is the largest voluntary youth group in the world. Its membership exceeds 28 million, counting boys and girls. Most (95 of 155 National Scout Organisations) are now mixed at at least some ages.  

Baden-Powell wrote in a pamphlet "Scouting & Christianity" (1917): "Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity."  

Baden-Powell wrote in a pamphlet "Scouting & Christianity" (1917): "Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity." Since then, various Scouting Organisations have been founded for members of other religions, or which are not specific to any religion.

Here is the Scout Oath:  

Here is one version of the Scout Oath:  

<blockquote>On my honor, I will do my best: To do my duty to God and my

<blockquote>On my honor, I will do my best: To do my duty to God and my

==Controversy==

==Controversy==

As a result of their strong adherence to traditional Christian morality, the Boy Scouts have come under criticism for their policy regarding [[homosexuals]].  As stated in a press release from the organization:<ref>http://www.scouting.org/media/press/2002/020206/index.html</ref>

As a result of their strong adherence to traditional Christian morality, the Boy Scouts of America have come under criticism for their policy regarding [[homosexuals]].  As stated in a press release from the organization:<ref>http://www.scouting.org/media/press/2002/020206/index.html</ref>

::The BSA reaffirmed its view that an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the traditional moral values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and that these values cannot be subject to local option choices.

::The BSA reaffirmed its view that an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the traditional moral values espoused in the Scout Oath and Law and that these values cannot be subject to local option choices.