[7107] in APO-L
Beyond BSA
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jeffrey David Brown)
Mon Nov 1 07:37:05 1993
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1993 07:35:20 -0500
Reply-To: Jeffrey David Brown <jb8x+@andrew.cmu.edu>
From: Jeffrey David Brown <jb8x+@andrew.cmu.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Here's one to keep y'all busy for a while:
Alpha Phi Omega was founded on the idea that we could teach young men
a better moral standard. That standard was based on the BSA's Scout
Law and Scout Oath (quoted at the end of this post for your info if
you don't know them by heart). Thus, Alpha Phi Omega is inherantly a
moral organization. While we definitely don't qualify as the "moral
majority," we are telling people how to live their lives, in a sense.
Question 1:
Our nation has seen plenty of moral turmoil since APO's founding in
1925, from WWII (caging the Japanese) to Elvis Presley, from Civil
Rights to Women's Liberation to Gay Rights. How has Alpha Phi Omega
reacted to these issues in the past?
Question 2:
How far should we go in telling people how to live their lives? For
example, if Alpha Phi Omega is really interested in "help other people
at all times" (part of the Scout Law), should we take a stance on
abortion and unborn infants? (heh, THAT would heat up the net!) In the
current situation, do we have the right to take a public stance on
homosexuality?
Question 3:
If we take a stance on homosexuality, are we taking a political
stance?
The real question here, folks, is NOT the BSA and GSUSA and everyone
else. Every time someone brings up an organization that people
dedicate their lives to, someone will get defensive; it happens with
military, BSA, and yes, APO too. We are arguing about a moral question
that is gripping the whole country, not just APO & BSA.
That should give you some food for thought. Nobody says the answers
will be easy, but let's get beyond the BSA to the real questions.
And now, for your viewing pleasure ...
The Scout Oath:
I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country
To obey the Scout Law
To help other people at all times
To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight
The Scout Law:
A Scout is
Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient,
Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverant.
Someone emphasized the "Morally Straight" part of the scout law. Don't
forget "Mentally Awake" - let's keep our minds on what is really
important. :-)
Yours in Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
Jeff "Reds" Brown
random brother
Kappa Chapter, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
jb8x+@andrew.cmu.edu Phone: (412) 681-1363
reds+@cmu.edu CMU Box 102, 4825 Frew St., Pgh., 15213
l101jb8x@vb.cc.cmu.edu Work: 268-5612 4am-10am Mon, Fri; 268-2333 Fri Nights
Disclaimer: I'm the only one <stupid,crazy,tired> enough to write this.
