I missed this before the inauguration, but I’ll write about this now because it’s important.   The American Humanist Association, along with eighteen other groups, published an open letter on January 13th to President-Elect (now President) Obama asking him to reject the Boy Scouts of America’s offer of the title of honorary president.  As stated the press release, their reason is simple and important:

BSA policy is to deny the participation of nontheistic members and employees and expel those already involved. Thus the letter asks Obama to break with tradition because taking on the title of honorary president would send a message that discrimination against atheists and agnostics is acceptable.

I must admit that I was, as a young child, a cub scout – the lowest level.  I enjoyed it, but I’m glad that I didn’t stick with it, because there was an aspect never made clear to me: atheists are not welcome.  What a problem this would have caused when I finally lost my faith!  This is a problem that unfortunately many have faced.  I would have had to either hide my atheism and continue through the ranks lying (certainly not acceptable in Boy Scout ethics) or had to leave, knowing all my achievements were invalidated simply due to my lack of belief.

I enjoyed my time as a scout and I still believe scouts can learn a lot and do a lot of good as members.  I completely support the BSA’s right to exist and to set their membership criteria as they wish – no matter how bothered I am by those criteria, and support anyone’s right to be a member.  My problem has always been that in many areas the BSA has been given special access to tax-payer funded facilities, such as those in public schools.  No organization that discriminates religiously may legally take advantage of tax-payer funds or tax-payer provided facilities.  When my money is going towards a group in which I, many of my friends, and many of my fellow Americans are barred from participating in simply due to our religious viewpoints or sexual preferences (let’s not forget they discriminate against gays too), I have a big problem.

For this very reason, our president, especially this one who is supposed to break down walls of prejudice and discrimination, should have no part of such an organization.  The symbolism of the honorary presidency would help erode the claims of change we have heard so much about.  I have confidence that President Obama will do the right thing.  I hope he proves me right.

I try not to make purely political statements, which is why I will not list all the problems Bush has given us.  There is one thing, though, that has been damaging to people of all faiths and those who have none.  It is absolutely an issue at the heart of all religious and nonreligious rights (I wish I didn’t have to make it so clear that it include us too, but that’s another post): bringing religion into government, where it doesn’t belong.

Does this mean religious people have no place in government?  Clearly, it does not.  Does it mean religious citizens have no right to petition the government based on their beliefs?  Of course not; the Constitution gives us all the same rights, including those with life philosophies that are not by nature religious.  We all have the right to freedom of conscience, and to lobby the government based on what we find important.

Bush went too far, violating the clear intent of the founding fathers¹.  By creating the Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives², an office specifically dedicated to predominantly religious organizations, he smashed Jefferson’s “wall of separation between Church & State.”  The office gave taxpayer money to religious organizations without any real attempt to ensure that this money would be used for charity and community programs only, and not used for religious purposes such as proselytizing.
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