Dear Boy Scouts,

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I don’t know if you’ve heard the news, but The Boy Scouts have decided to officially change their name.

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Photo: today.com

They’re dropping the “Boy” – and instead, becoming simply the Scouts BSA, in an action that will now include girls in their program.

I woke up on Wednesday, checked my phone, and that headline was literally the first thing I saw. And I actually let out an audible groan, accompanied by an epic eyeroll.

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Are you kidding me? What are we doing, America? 

Now from the surface, this may not seem like a big deal. And maybe, perhaps, even a positive step in the right direction to include girls in one of this country’s most formative boys’ program. After all, it’s been around for 108 years. It’s time they get with the times and let the girls play, right?

Wrong.

Now, before you tune me out, I invite you to just read on with an open mind.

I’m going to just come right out and say it: there is nothing wrong with having an exclusively boys club, and an exclusively girls club: The Girl Scouts.

Why?

It’s not because I’m some backwoods, brainwashed, out of touch conservative that thinks women should just vacuum in pearls all day and cook dinner and meet their husbands at the door with a martini.

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It’s because you and I – as males and females – uniquely reflect the masculine and feminine reflection of God, each in our own beautiful and intricate way.

The likeness of God is as complicated as the “issue” that gender has become in recent years.

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We can’t even buy little girls pink “onesies” anymore without being labeled as an anti-feminist, with an antiquated view of gender.

Preschools in Sweden have adopted “gender-neutral” school environments.

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UT-Austin recently rolled out a program rejecting masculinity, going so far as to cite excessive masculinity as a mental illness.

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Traditional gender expression has become something to squelch. And frankly, it is under attack.

But the fact is, God, in His incredible being, has both masculine and feminine traits, and we – created as males and females, in His image – reflect that in a very specific and unique way.

Men have an inherent yearning to protect. To provide. They strive for bravery, strength, and honor, craving respect and justice.

And females were created to compliment that masculine expression in our own way – with beauty and mercy, having a nurturing heart that longs to love, foster relationships, and create a family – that is literally knit into our biology.

And hear me when I say: I’m not saying that females are not strong, or that men can’t be gentle. We, as children of God, are beautifully complicated expressions of a mix of both masculine and feminine traits of our Maker.

But it’s not a crime to have formative organizations for our youngsters that foster those traditional traits for our boys and girls.

The Boy Scouts foster strong young men, and the Girl Scouts foster strong young women. It’s not discriminatory. It’s biology.

I pulled up the Boy Scout oath:

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law. 
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mental awake and morally straight.

And the Scout Law says that a Scout is…

Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.

I mean, Hallelujah! If more men actually lived like that, I don’t think I’d be single right now!

I remember growing up, several of my guy friends received the highest “Scout Honor” and became “Eagle Scouts,” and that meant something. It was such a coveted and revered title that boys aspired to.

And I was a Girl Scout. And I loved the sisterhood it fostered. Heck, that was part of the reason I became president of my sorority in college.

In case you were wondering, the Girl Scout oath is as follows…

On my honor I will try
To serve God and my country
To help people at all time,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law. 

And that Law stating:

I will do my best to be honest and fair,
Friendly and helpful,
Considerate and caring,
Courageous and strong, 
And responsible for what I say and do,
And to respect myself and others,
Respect authority,
Use resources wisely, 
Make the world a better place, 
And be a sister to every Girl Scout. 

Again, traits that, Heavens to Betsy, in the narcissistic world of social media and snapchat and Kylie Jenner, we need to be instilling these values in the younger generation.

The Girl Scouts aren’t some backwards thinking organization about just crafting and cookies, either. They prepare the young girls for STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.)

And from their website, their aim is to “help girls pursue four goals: Develop their full potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill and respect; develop a meaningful set of values to guide their actions and make sound decisions; and contribute to the improvement of society.”

What is wrong with that???

I would like to submit that instead of suppressing that which makes us either masculine or feminine, in efforts to be more inclusive or “forward thinking,” the real progressive action would be to openly and publicly embrace that which makes us male and female in the image and likeness of God.

In fact, what if we were to step out in boldness and say that, we need to “cut the crap” and get back to our roots. The roots that this country was founded on. The roots that brought our ancestors to this country. The roots that for years, have shaped this nation, until only recently: our trust and belief in God.

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We’re doing a disservice to the younger generation by denying little boys and little girls the formative programs that foster those characteristics that reflect those masculine and feminine reflections of God.

Can you imagine the reverberation in our culture if we taught young boys to embrace their masculine likeness of respect and dignity and honor? Or if we encouraged young girls to celebrate the strength and mercy and fortitude that lives in each of our hearts, as daughters of God?

We would be raising each other up. Calling the other to be the highest version of themselves.

And I’d be so bold as to say that by encouraging these masculine expressions of God in our young men, we wouldn’t have so many Harvey Weinstein’s walking around.

We’d have a generation of men. Who lived with integrity. And followed the freakin Boy Scout Law.

We live in a broken world. Christian values are attacked every single day, in the news media, in the entertainment industry, in advertisements, school curriculum, our laws and cultural norms.

The answer to this conundrum lies within our own four walls. The world is not going to do us any favors.

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It is our responsibility to instill those values in the future generations. Schools aren’t going to do it. The Disney Channel isn’t going to do it. And now, not even the Boy Scouts is going to do it anymore.

Boy Scouts, you’ve really let me down…caving to society’s feminist bully culture like that.

It’s time you take your own advice and adopt the bravery you say you stand for.

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430 thoughts on “Dear Boy Scouts,”

  6. Good for you for posting YOUR free speech opinion, which can be dangerous in this day and age. I’m shocked daily by the illogical ideas that people IN POWER are embracing and trying to impose on everyone in this country. The BSA has become a sad ass-kissing, joke. My sons will never be Scouts.
    As a UT Austin graduate, I’m not shocked but I am saddened by this latest ridiculous campaign. Young people go through experimental stages, but they do not need to be encouraged in it. If we leave them alone, they will eventually grow up. I know because I was pretty experimental when I went to UT. Do not think that because you wear men’s clothes at age 20 that you have to do that your whole life, or paint your nails when you’re 30.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Those are some great points. Yeah I hope that other organizations will form or come out of the woodwork for the youngsters. 🙂 thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  7. “And hear me when I say: I’m not saying that females are not strong, or that men can’t be gentle. We, as children of God, are beautifully complicated expressions of a mix of both masculine and feminine traits of our Maker.”
    .
    .
    YES. GIRL. YES.
    .
    .
    It honestly frightens me as a parent to have these conversations with my children. Not because I’m unclear in my God-given feminine role, wavering in my beliefs of the male/female design of our Creator, or have difficulties in discussing the liberal social agenda attack on Biblical values with them, but because in having these conversations and raising my children with conservative views, it sets them up to be labeled bigots by their increasingly liberal and secular peer group.

    This has got to stop.

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    1. Thank you so much!! I know – it is so scary and sad to think about. These views are not bigoted. They are what we have always been taught, and until only recently, have been celebrated – or at least tolerated. So glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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    2. And worse I find parents not clearly saying “you’re a boy” “you’re a girl” and that’s a good thing. But rather they are not identifying gender as if it is up to the little tykes to figure out? Help. I was enough if a mess growing up that if I hadn’t known alongside that I was a boy – I shudder to think. I keep going back to Matthew 5:10-11 where jesus tells us when men revile us for his sake to rejoice. So no fears in labels. Young people who stand in love not anger or hate may be mislabeled bigots etc but it will not stand up to the character of their lives. Thanks for writing. You’re doing a great job with your children.

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  8. Thank you! What a statement of truth. The fact is we need more masculinity out there. Great book “Crisis in Masculinity” by Leanne Payne from years ago dealt with that well. I cringed with a family, the children of a friend, didn’t want the grandparents to refer to the boys as “little boys” or anything so they could “choose what they wanted to be.” What happened to just acknowledging biology and celebrating it: “You’re a boy and that’s a good thing.” More of that and we would have less confusion in gender. And what is that happening at the university you cited? Argh. Thank you for your bold willingness to speak. You are right — there is a gift in the Boys’ and Girls’ scouting programs. Seriously. Keep speaking!

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    1. Thanks friend. I’ll have to check out that book – thanks for the recco. Yeah that’s what they’re doing in Sweden— letting the kids choose. Oh the times we’re living in! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Leanne Payne is a remarkable author teaching on gender and healing. She’s the one who had written extensively on how the father’s voice affirms identity. When you see that it makes sense why we are in such a crisis of gender identity with the lack of fathers. Lord have mercy!

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  9. I found this to be a compelling read and I mostly agree. In general terms, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts teach the same morality and mostly the same things. There’s nothing wrong with allowing some single sex activities – its nice to have things all girls or all boys sometimes.

    The problems arise on the local level. I was never a Girl Scout because Girl Scouts sucked where I grew up. The women who ran the troops really emphasized the “being a man’s helper mate” merit badge activities like cooking and sewing. The uniforms were skirts and sashes, and while Boy Scouts had cool names and traditions like being Eagles or Tenderfoots or Cubs, Girl Scouts were Brownies or Daisies. I would have loved Boy Scouts with the camping and knot tying but it simply wasn’t an option. Worse, the first activity to get funds cut? Girl Scouts (and girl sports). Now, I know things have changed a lot, and thats a good thing, but at the local level, in conservative communities? This does still happen. Giving girls the option to choose the scout group that allows them more freedom of choice isn’t a bad thing. It’s also not a bad thing for families with boys and girls to be able to have one Scout troop meeting instead of two.

    I’m probably looking more at the practicalities. You raise some points I will definitely be thinking on.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this. Yeah, being a man’s helper mate is problematic thinking for sure. And those are great practical points for sure. I appreciate you joining the dialogue!! Hugs and love xox

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    2. Most of those appealing “fun” activities that the Boy Scouts do are 100% available to girls but most of the leaders WONT do them. We as women leaders and role models should help our girls develop skills that are not just for boys. I have a daughter that LOVES to camp and tie knots and whittle with a knife but that doesn’t mean I’m signing her up for Boy Scouts.
      I can teach a group of girls those things in girls scouts and have just as much fun!

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      1. So true!!!! Yeah growing up and going to Christian summer camp was the same thing. We had the girls and boys separate bunks and groups but we did the same exact activities! We went camping and rock climbing. We would have to capsize a sail boat and then flip it back up, do “Eskimo rescues” on capsized canoes, learn how to tie knots and identify plants in the forest. Just because were girls doesn’t mean we can’t do those traditionally masculine things!

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      2. If “Scouts” is run in a similar way to the summer camp you went to then I think everyone’s happy and I think that is exactly what the scouts is trying to do. I was part of girl scouts as a kid and had the same experience as rappmoffett. I just didn’t have as much fun as my brother did in boy scouts since they did more, went on more trips and had more funding

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      3. I think thats wonderful and I wish you’d been a leader in my area. But if you couldn’t run the troop and had to rely on someone else, wouldn’t you like your daughter to at least have the option of joining a troop that did things she liked? Don’t get me wrong, I think Girl Scouts has definitely moved beyond my experience with it and I think this name change has more to do with declining enrollment than any concern about girls. I’m just glad to see options opening up. How I coveted my older brother’s Scout uniform, it was so much cooler… 🙂

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  11. That was a brilliant blog about Boy Scouts. So true, so realistic, so biblical. I wish our societies (UK & USA) would listen and respond by reinstating the values you and scripture espouse. Thanks again.

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  15. this is so well-written! i wish the majority of our society felt this way. in the past, i myself have professed my views as anti-feminist–though a misleading title, what i mean is that i am against MODERN feminism and the fight for superiority, but an advocate for equality. men and women were created equal, but with two separate roles in the community, and i think our generation has a difficult time differentiating between those principles.

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    1. Aw thank you so much!! Amen to that! These views do not make us anti-feminist. But traditionally feminist 🙂 I think you’re absolutely right. Hugs and love xox

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    1. Thanks friend 🙂 hahaha I hear ya! That’s what I’ll do for my hubby one day!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox

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  19. It is too bad that political correctness has extended to the Boy Scout and even to accepting one’s biological sex. I appreciate your bringing up the topic and exploring it.

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  21. Girl – I love your heart and the way you express yourself. Right off the bat I’m going to say that I don’t share the same opinion here but that doesn’t invalidate yours. My perspective is this: I’m the mom and current den leader of a second grade scout. I’ve been his den leader since he started. We’re a small group and almost all of the den dads have jobs that require travel or odd hours. Simply put: they don’t have regular schedules. I do. I was never a Girl Scout. I never grew up camping. I’m not… outdoorsy. But I’m learning. And the decision to allow girls to join almost validates me as a leader. Now, fortunately, our cub master and the rest of our pack are completely welcoming and supportive. There are both male and female leaders, and neither one is the “consolation prize.” We follow BSA guidelines for uthe knit comes to scout and leader safety and protection.

    Girls in Boy Scouts will not camp with boys. They will bunk with girls. I bunked alone when I went to Cub Scout camp. From what I understand, never having been a Girl Scout, the topics are different than those we study in Boy Scouts. Some girls want to study the “boy” subjects, and I think we should let them.

    Thanks for reading to here. I am really not here to bash your thoughts, as I said, I think they are eloquent and authentic. Thank you for allowing this space to discuss.

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    1. Hey Jennie! Thank you so much for sharing this awesome perspective. I’m so glad you joined the conversation! that’s so awesome that you’re a den leader. Your son (and the troop) is really lucky to have you in that position. Great point! Thanks for the powerful food for thought! Hugs and love xox

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  22. “Men and women were created equal, but with two separate roles in the community”

    Does it actually say that in the Bible though? It says people are created in God’s image, but that’s really all. The rest of the stuff we’ve mostly made up as we go along. There’s nothing Biblical about, say, boys wearing pants, or girls having long hair, or whatever. That’s all cultural. In the Bible everyone wore dresses (okay, tunics) and probably had long hair. And fwiw, most people had several wives, too.

    I think it is unfair to force people into those things if they don’t want them. Why fight over it? What’s wrong with live and let live? If a boy wants to be a non traditional boy, I guess I don’t see the problem, any more than if a boy (or girl) wants to be a more traditional girl. As long as it isn’t hurting anyone, why is this worth a) getting mad about or b) staking our religious ideas on one way or the other?

    Does that make someone less of a Christian? It seems like what really matters is that they are treating other people with respect and kindness, like you said in the post.

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    1. Hi Liz, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. No, I don’t think that is in the bible…and I don’t think that quote was from my article. If so, then forgive me, but I’m really scratching my head because i don’t think I said that that was specifically in the bible. You’ve brought up some really great points and I appreciate you joining the dialogue. Live and let live is a very powerful way to operate. It needs to go both ways. Thanks again for stopping by! big hugs to you xox

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      1. Sorry, you are right, that was a reply to a commenter who said that rather than in your post and I was replying to them.

        That view (that men and women have separate but equal roles) is pretty common in church.

        I have a bit of a problem with that; if they are equal, then why are they separate?

        But sure, I see the need for celebration of specific things/groups too. Like we could say, all holidays are equal so we don’t need to celebrate any, etc, and then no one would have much fun. I see the silliness in that. There are definitely positive sides to celebrating and lifting up specific people or ideas.

        The problem I have when it comes to gender is that ‘separate’ is usually code for ‘here is the list of things girls should not do. Maybe you don’t think that but a lot of church folks do. It’s hard to find balance.

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      2. oh gotcha gotcha. That’s a great point: celebrating and lifting up all people and ideas. Yeah – that’s true. Because girls are capable of everything boys are! there’s not a “restriction list” simply because we have the female anatomy. Empowerment of females does not have to mean belittling men, if you know what I mean 🙂 thanks again for stopping by and joining the convo! I love reading your thoughts!! Hugs and love xox

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  24. My neck is literally aching and my eyes are damp after reading this!! Yes, yes and more yes!! I am a proud Gold Award Girl Scout. My son will be receiving his Eagle in the next few months and my daughters have been proud Girl Scouts for 9 years with no plan to stop with me serving as the troop leader to them and the other precious, now middle school aged girls, that make up our troop. But lately with all of this anti-traditionalism, or whatever you want to call it, I’m finding myself more and more mentally and emotionally exhausted. It’s hard to feel like you’re swimming against the tide. All. The. Time. I have to keep reminding myself of the story of the starfish on the beach. I can’t save them all, but I can make a difference for this one.

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    1. aw, thank you so much Tina! I’m so glad this resonated with you! And congrats on your Gold Award and your son’s Eagle Scout status! That is really something to celebrate. Mentally and emotionally exhausted – amen to that. Hugs and love xox

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  25. Great article Beauty! I was just as appauled as you though not entirely surprised. The BSA has caved.

    Stop. Rewind BSA. Back to basics. Genesis 1:27…”male and female He created them.”

    Thanks again for standing upon the most basic and bedrock principles that God has instituted among His creation. Let not man, or woman, take from His glory.

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    1. Thank you so much Tim! Amen – back to basics. thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! Hugs and love xox

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  26. Did I hear sniffles? I hope it’s just allergies! Hope you’re past it or a cold soon!

    I was going to ask what’s wrong with a wife vacuuming in pearls, but I want to stay on good terms here! 

    Catholic boys and girls school. Julie told me she and her friends found having no guys around was a positive factor in their education. I must believe that the same thing applies to scouts as young men and women learn about themselves and being important, contributing members of society!

    I think I might have written to you about Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles from the 70’s. It lampooned racism by serving it up in heaps. N****r was sprinkled liberally throughout the script, and it was hilarious!! Today we’re too uptight to joke about racism or anything else. Too uptight to admit our own gender.

    Your comments about male and female attributes was also spot in, echoing what I wrote about the book “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge on 3/18.

    I hope you don’t take a bunch of heat on this one, but I’d buckle up if I were you! Prayers & hugs! Very well done tonight!!

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    1. Hey Jeff! haha yeah – my allergies are horrible these past couple days. and haha yes! you can bet that i’ll be vacuuming in pearls 🙂 heheh That’s really great insight – yeah there are things that are good for boys’ groups and girls’ groups when it comes to formation. Yeah, Wild at Heart was definitely an inspiration. i love that book, and Captivating, it’s female counterpart. thanks so much for stopping by! hope you and julie are having a great week! Hugs and love xox

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      1. Pollen is horrid here in Memphis. My car has gone from silver to yellow! Long week next week; Kansas and Chicago. I hope neither are as bad as here! Prayers & hugs!

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  27. Being apart of a college Ethics class and discussing hate speech and if freedom of speech should be protected, Christ has made it very real to me that we cannot expect those who are not sons and daughters of the Living God to abide by His Laws and His thoughts on these matters. 😦 John 1:10-13 speaks of how only those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior become sons and daughters of God… One can see, hearing unbelievers talk, that it literally comes down to them being blinded to the truth of God. I agree with your view whole-heartedly, though! May those who are distinct creations of God come to know and be saved by the God who made and Loves them!!

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  29. It’s sad that we can’t celebrate being different, having different roles, and seeing the glory it brings God to use those differences to show the many sides of God’s image. As a young girl years ago, I let society convince me that every one thought boys were better than girls if we were not allowed to do whatever they did… or try. It was a loving pastor who felt the Lord telling him my tears in church were a sign of something that needed his attention. When he asked I told him it made me sad that even God thought less of girls, but that I still love God (though He slay me). He lovingly help me understand the word… different isn’t ugly or belittling. We’ve all been given a role to glorify God in. ❤ And He loves us each one equally!

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    1. Thanks so much Gail for sharing your thoughts on this. That was a really great pastor. Amen to that!! Hugs and love xox

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  30. Thank you! I agree with you! My two sons were both Eagle Scouts but now my three grandsons will never experience that because their Dads will not let them join the watered down and degenerate Scouts. And I wouldn’t want them to. It is so sad.

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    1. Thanks so much Mary! So glad this resonated with you! And congrats to your sons! So awesome! Yeah – very sad. Hugs and love xox

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  31. Hey Caralyn, thanks for sharing this. It really gave me a different perspective on this change. When I first heard this, I literally did not know what to make of it. It was something out of left field that really threw me for a loop.

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  32. YES! Amen to that! Really, you couldn’t have said it any better! This post took courage to write – not everyone has the guts to stand up for what is good, decent, and just plain RIGHT anymore. There is nothing wrong with a girl being a girl and a boy being a boy. I love the way you put it, “It’s not discriminatory. It’s biology.” Well said! More people need to have the courage and the strength to speak up for what is right. THANK YOU!

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    1. Thanks so much Joy! What a kind thing to say 🙂 yeah I was suuuuuper nervous to push publish on this one. I really appreciate your support. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Vile? Really? That adjective seems better suited to something like a multinational corporation knowingly polluting the water supply of poor communities. Much the bigger worry over spreading. All this back and forth tweaking between entrenched cultural camps does little to improve our chances for peace and justice. Why do so many self-identifying Christians focus on PC as important, or a bonafide woe? It seems like such a divisive distraction from actual good works. I really am confused by it.

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      2. Hi Nichole, First of all, I read this as a joke…so that’s where I was coming from. But to answer your question, society is so quick to label Christians as “bigots” or harboring “hateful” thoughts if we share our beliefs found in the Bible. Hence the hyper-caution to be politically correct so as not to offend a culture that seems to be super ready to pounce. But I think you bring up a great point about needing to advocate for poor communities. that is definitely needed. Hugs and love xox

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  35. Thank you for writing what I’ve been thinking. The thing is, I’m a single mom with two almost adult daughters and a 10-year-old son.
    I know how to raise daughters, but since I’ll never be a man, I need my son to have men to look up to and teach him how to be a man. Enter Cub Scouts. It’s been great having him in this program thus far (three years in). My father takes him to den meetings and they have a great time doing guy stuff.
    And then I saw the headline this week. Really? Seriously? As if it isn’t hard enough on those of us doing our level best to raise godly men in the absence of a father.
    So – boo BOY Scouts. Once we’re done with Cub Scouting next year, I’ll be finding a different avenue for my son. Or maybe enough of us can stand up and fight this. I’ll be in prayer for guidance.
    In the meantime, I’m so disappointed.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing your story. What a powerful perspective. Yes! What a blessing the Cub Scouts and your father has been. I’ll definitely join you in that prayer. Hugs and love xox

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      1. Aww. You’re pretty great too. I’m new(ish) to blogging. I love reading your posts.

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  36. The tragedy is that too many people think we can survive as a God-less, atheistic culture. That to talk about God is “imposing our values and beliefs on others”, which is somehow “mean-spirited and intolerant”. I could say it is the path to cultural suicide, but that would be inaccurate. With abortions performed in the tens of millions since 1973, and euthanasia fast becoming acceptable, what we are witnessing is cultural genocide. Sadly our bishops, rather than being moral bulwarks, are more like accommodating moral marshmallows. Sorry for the rant. I predict a huge pushback on this decision. If the Scouts even exist ten years from now, I will be surprised.

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    1. That is so true David. When the truth is we’re lost sheep without Him! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Hugs and love xox

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  37. Our world is turning upside down and inside out. Girls used to like being girls. Now they want to be boys. Boys now want to be girls. Sigh…

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    1. Sigh indeed. Thanks Walt for stopping by. What a world we’re living in. Hugs and love xox

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  38. Caralyn this is the best Feminist post I’ve read in years!

    Thank you for saying what men and women have needed to be reminded of for years.

    John Eldredge said in one of his books (Wild at Heart, I think) that genuine Godly Masculinity cannot be imparted to a boy by women any more than Godly Femininity can be imparted to a girl by a man.

    For some reason these days when a man says anything about imparting masculinity it is assumed that what is meant is actually misogyny and sexism, which is ironically an incredibly sexist attitude itself.

    It seems being truly masculine these days is somehow believed to be evil, and a “real” man is some “metrosexual” (whatever the heck THAT is) who is bordering on “gender fluid” (???) and basically more effeminate than genuinely male.

    I was a cub scout in England as a boy and loved it. Aged 12, I moved to the boy scouts, and that group was the most misogynistic group of sexist bullies I ever encountered. I quit after a few months because I found their concept of what it was to be a “man” was so far removed from the examples of masculinity I had in my father, a teacher, and my grandfathers – one of whom was a Salvation Army Officer and the other a Major in the British Army under Montgomery in Africa, and both of whom were incredibly strong men – that I was repulsed by it. I’m told the troop has grown more back towards what Baden-Powell envisioned when he founded the international Scouting movement now thankfully.

    I’ve been absent from writing recently, but I hope from now on I can get back into my own work and catch up on the blogs like yours that I have got so much wisdom, wit and humour (in that order) from.

    Thanks for your faithfulness in your writing. I’m looking forward to catching up with your entries!

    David

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    1. Oh my gosh thank you so much David! I’m so glad you enjoyed the read and that it resonated with you. I LOVE wild at heart. It was definitely an inspiration for this post. That and the female counterpart, Captivating by his wife. Thanks for sharing your story and for your encouraging and supportive words. Can’t wait to read your stuff! Hugs and love xox

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      1. I bought my wife a copy of Captivating and it resonated so much with her she couldn’t finish it because she was too moved by the Spirit.

        John and Stasi Eldredge have such a powerful way of wording a message that it’s difficult to really read it in depth and not be challenged to the core. I’ve never managed to finish reading Way of the Wild Heart, the original follow up to Wild at Heart (I think it’s been republished as “Fathered by God”) because it choked me up too much, but I’ve found a solution! I have an “Audible” subscription and several of their books are available there, not just read by anyone though – John and Stasi have recorded the books themselves so the inflections and emphasis they intended as they were writing is present in each sentence. Listening to them is great!

        Thanks for your encouragement as well. It really does mean a lot as I’ve been struggling recently.

        Love and hugs back at ya! xox

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      2. yeah, it is an incredible book! i’ve read it several times and led a book club on it in my sorority in college. the message needs to be sung from the hilltops! i may download the audio for a refresher! Hugs and love xox

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  39. I couldn’t agree more. We have become so concerned with uplifting women, which is not a bad thing but we have done it at the expense of men. I recently said to one of my friends that in no way is it right to uplift yourself or a group at the expense of someone else. Being a strong independent female doesn’t mean I should step on and crush the spirits of men. And if that’s what being a strong female means then call me weak.

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    1. Thanks so much friend. Amen!! Empowering women does not mean putting down men!! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Hugs and love xox

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  40. “Epic Eyeroll”.
    Geeeeeeeeeesh!
    I am so mad and bewildered but not the least bit surprised Caralyn.
    You covered it with your distinctive aplomb. Always a pleasure.
    I was a BOY scout long ago, and it was just great.
    NOW, they’ve stripped it down to nothingness.
    What’s NEXT?
    Mandatory PORN for children? The good news is…this is a HUGE sign things will hum, uh, CHANGE when Christ comes back. And with these types of things happening, it seems it won’t be long.
    Thanks again. You are an awesome writer.

    Roland Henderson

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    1. Thanks so much Roland for your support. Yeah sadly I’m not surprised either. Such is the times we’re living in. Appreciate you stopping by! Hugs and love xox

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  41. The Boy Scouts was a great organization that fought against those who tried to change it, but they gave in to the peer pressure. It is sad that they, like many organizations, are letting a small minority decide who they should be. Then you have the parents who are cowards to correct their children and teach them right and wrong worrying that they will hurt their feelings. Those same parents then wonder why their children turn against them later in life. By the way, thank you for being a real woman. We need more women like you.

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    1. Thanks so much JB for sharing your thoughts on this. Gosh what a kind thing to say. I appreciate the encouragement. Hugs and love xox

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  42. You’re black and white version of male and female traits is a regression in acceptance. Where does the LGBT community fall in your reasoning? You fail to accept that God has created all of human traits, and the combination and strength of those traits in EACH individual. And not accepting all gradations in those traits in all individuals admits God made mistakes, which it sounds you’re not willing to admit.

    Your post concerning the Scouts BSA represents a hidden bigotry which I cannot not accept in my email. I will be cancelling my subscription.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m afraid my position was misunderstood. When I mentioned that God has masculine and feminine traits, what i meant by a “complicated and unique individual expression” of these traits was exactly that. We all are a mix of both – we are in His image and reflect different attributes of each. The fact is, members of the LGBT community are children of God. And same sex attraction is a real thing. And God loves all of HIs children no matter what. I’m sorry that you took that away from my post. That was not my position at all. And I’ll be sad to see you go, but I respect your decision. Thank you for your readership. Big hugs xox

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    2. Dear BinBin,
      Oh, contrare’ .
      Please allow me to Express an opinion.

      You.

      Are.

      Blind.

      Your thoughts left unchecked and allowed to run free is a sign you are perishing. Do not mean to sound hateful, just stating what I believe to be a fact.

      Please reconsider and dont but into the pablum of today’s political correct thought.

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    2. And ps that’s what my dad said when I sent him my final draft…brave for the backlash hahahha

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  46. “beautybeyondbones
    Blended Hope
    28m ago
    So true!!!! Yeah growing up and going to Christian summer camp was the same thing. We had the girls and boys separate bunks and groups but we did the same exact activities! We went camping and rock climbing. We would have to capsize a sail boat and then flip it back up, do “Eskimo rescues” on capsized canoes, learn how to tie knots and identify plants in the forest. Just because were girls doesn’t mean we can’t do those traditionally masculine things!”

    I am using your quote because this is how the elementary level (cub scouts) is being set up and it is the decision of the chartering organization to adopt the BSA Policy or not. If the chartering organization adopts BSA policy they have a couple of options. Coed pack or Gender specific packs. I.e. all girl or all boy. If they decide on a Coed pack, dens are to remain single gender. All boys or all girls. Example a boy wolf den and a girl wolf den; not a single boy and girl wolf den. The curriculum is the same regardless.

    Here is a link to how the program is being set up. https://www.scouting.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Family-Scouting_Infographic_v10.pdf

    I am am just sharing facts that is all. Not sharing an opinion.

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  48. While I don’t completely agree with your viewpoint on the BSA’s decision, I still enjoyed reading this post nonetheless. Growing up, I was more of a tomboy and know I probably would’ve loved doing the activities Boy Scouts did. However, I also think that if the Boy Scouts are going to allow girls to join, then Girl Scouts should allow boys to do the same. Or maybe, just have one scouting organization that allows both boys and girls decide what they want to do while still teaching the core values of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. But have it where girls are with other girls who want to do the same thing and boys are with boys who want to do the same thing.

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    1. Thanks Raney, for sharing your thoughts on this. That seems like a great compromise! Hugs and love xox

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