Georgia Baptist Convention Reacts to Resolution on Gay Boy Scouts’ Policy
GBC
The Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution Wednesday criticizing a new Boy Scouts of America policy to allow gay youth. But the Convention says individual churches can decide whether to keep or end their relationship with the Boy Scouts. So what does that mean for Baptist Churches in Georgia? WABE’s Michelle Wirth got reaction on the resolution from the Georgia Baptist Convention.
The resolution calls on the Boy Scouts to remove executive and board leaders who supported the policy change. And it urges churches who decide to keep their ties with scouting to work toward the policy’s reversal.
Prior to resolution’s approval, two Baptist churches in Cobb County decided to end their relationship with the Boy Scouts.
But Ray Newman who speaks for the Georgia Baptist Convention on ethics and public policy says it’s too early to tell if other churches will follow suit.
“It will take a few weeks before the dust settles and it will be up to them to make their own decisions. There won’t be any kind of retribution or reprimand for churches that have scout troops that continue them and for those that have them and choose not to.”
Newman says the Georgia Baptist Convention currently has not taken a position on the policy but could pass a resolution in November.
In a statement, the Boy Scouts of America says its policy prohibits any sexual conduct.
It goes on to say, the policy is fully consistent with how Southern Baptist Churches respond to young people in their congregations and allows them to maintain their beliefs about homosexuality and minister to children who are still learning and developing.“
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