Girl Scouts USA continues its ideological game

[JimG]

"Ideological politics, particularly centered on the issue of abortion, feels like an inexhaustible constant these days, injected in even the most unlikely places.

Sadly, the Girl Scouts of America have added abortion advocacy to its agenda that, despite claims of being a non-partisan, non-political nonprofit organization, has escalated beyond the point of any dismissal this past year."

ncregister.com/blog/guest-blogger/girl-scouts-usa-continues-its-ideological-game

 

[pensmama87]

For those of us who love the taste of GS cookies, there are very similar cookies available year-round in grocery stores. I’m particularly fond of the Aldi brand cookies, which are less than half the price of a box, and don’t fund anything questionable.

 

[jediliz]

For those of us who love the taste of GS cookies, there are very similar cookies available year-round in grocery stores. I’m particularly fond of the Aldi brand cookies, which are less than half the price of a box, and don’t fund anything questionable.

And there are also copycat recipes, even grain free or paleo for those who eat those diets.

The girls don’t get to keep much at ALL anyway.

 

[ClearWater]

How unfortunate.

 

[Lea101]

Generally speaking, being pro choice (amongst other stuff like marriage equality for instance) is the “default” in countries like the US unless your religion forbids it. So it’s not really a “political statement” anymore. It’ll keep getting worse until we look crazy.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Generally speaking, being pro choice (amongst other stuff like marriage equality for instance) is the “default” in countries like the US unless your religion forbids it. So it’s not really a “political statement” anymore. It’ll keep getting worse until we look crazy.

That is, of course, the pro-death position. That pro-death is the default, and prolife people are somehow crazy and deviant. Our society, sadly, has fallen far in just a few decades. Will our western society collapse and be replaced by something else?

 

[Memaw]

That is, of course, the pro-death position. That pro-death is the default, and prolife people are somehow crazy and deviant. Our society, sadly, has fallen far in just a few decades. Will our western society collapse and be replaced by something else?

Looks like Muslim is doing it’s best to move in!! God Bless, Memaw

 

[commenter]

There are a few solid alternatives, either general Christian, such as American Heritage Girls, or specifically Catholic, such as Little Flowers.

The problem is that GSUSA is deeply entrenched in many cities. Women remember it from when they were growing up, and are unaware that today it has taken a turn for the worse. Groups based in a parish can do far more damage, because they draw on the parish’s credibility. I tried to tell my sister it is moving against Catholic teaching. She said, ok, you are right, but at least here in our own parish I know the ladies who run it. They are good people.

The problem is that “the good people” don’t control the handouts that come from other places, they don’t know what material will be sent from headquarters. When the region sponsors area wide programs, the parish girls are mixed in with other girls and other leaders, and the parish ladies have no say over what gets presented. In the long run, the girls in the parish scout group will be loyal to GSUSA, even as it becomes more secular than ever.

It is a disaster having a troop in a parish, it is totally untrue that it is better to keep it in the church than having it go somewhere else. Unlike Boy Scout troops which are chartered by the parish (or some other entity) GSUSA are totally independent, not subject to parish oversite even when they meet at the church. Gently encourage GSUSA troops to relocate, and encourage the parish to start its own, preferably Catholic or at least ecumenical Christian group.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

There are a few solid alternatives, either general Christian, such as American Heritage Girls, or specifically Catholic, such as Little Flowers.
It is a disaster having a troop in a parish, it is totally untrue that it is better to keep it in the church than having it go somewhere else. Unlike Boy Scout troops which are chartered by the parish (or some other entity) GSUSA are totally independent, not subject to parish oversite even when they meet at the church. Gently encourage GSUSA troops to relocate, and encourage the parish to start its own, preferably Catholic or at least ecumenical Christian group.

Assuming the article is accurate, GSUSA membership is actually falling, while the AHG and Little Flowers memberships are growing.

Anyway, apparently there are enough Catholic members of AHG that there is now an AHG National Catholic Committee

americanheritagegirls.org/program/alliances/ahg-national-catholic-committee/

AHG also has a Boy Scout alternative called “Trail Life USA”, for those who don’t want to be affiliated with Boy Scouts either.

Hopefully AHG is not sued like the Boy Scouts were by a transgendered child, over their membership criteria that specify, “All biological girls of any color, creed, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed are invited to be members of American Heritage Girls.” (I assume Trail Life USA also limits membership to “biological boys”.)

ETA: On the other hand, I suppose some on the left side of the political spectrum would find AHG to be just as politicized as GSUSA, only to the right, and I admit I’m not sure it’s consistent to question the appropriateness of the GSUSA participating in the Women’s March, while commending the AHG having girls participate in the March For Life.

ETA2: I also checked out the website for Little Flowers. They also have a boy version, Blue Knights. However, unlike AHG, that accepts girls from age 5-19, the Little Flowers program covers preteens only. The Little Flowers program accepts girls age 5 and up for a 4 year program. The Blue Knights accepts boys age 5 and up for a 4 year program. They do have other programs for older kids, but they don’t really seem to be based on a scouting model.

 

[pensmama87]

Assuming the article is accurate, GSUSA membership is actually falling, while the AHG and Little Flowers memberships are growing.

Anyway, apparently there are enough Catholic members of AHG that there is now an AHG National Catholic Committee

americanheritagegirls.org/program/alliances/ahg-national-catholic-committee/

AHG also has a Boy Scout alternative called “Trail Life USA”, for those who don’t want to be affiliated with Boy Scouts either.

Hopefully AHG is not sued like the Boy Scouts were by a transgendered child, over their membership criteria that specify, “All biological girls of any color, creed, race, national origin and socioeconomic status who agree to live according to the standards of the AHG Oath and the AHG Creed are invited to be members of American Heritage Girls.” (I assume Trail Life USA also limits membership to “biological boys”.)

ETA: On the other hand, I suppose some on the left side of the political spectrum would find AHG to be just as politicized as GSUSA, only to the right, and I admit I’m not sure it’s consistent to question the appropriateness of the GSUSA participating in the Women’s March, while commending the AHG having girls participate in the March For Life.

ETA2: I also checked out the website for Little Flowers. They also have a boy version, Blue Knights. However, unlike AHG, that accepts girls from age 5-19, the Little Flowers program covers preteens only. The Little Flowers program accepts girls age 5 and up for a 4 year program. The Blue Knights accepts boys age 5 and up for a 4 year program. They do have other programs for older kids, but they don’t really seem to be based on a scouting model.

My oldest son does Blue Knights, and you’re right, it is not a scouting group.

 

[commenter]

ETA: On the other hand, I suppose some on the left side of the political spectrum would find AHG to be just as politicized as GSUSA, only to the right, and I admit I’m not sure it’s consistent to question the appropriateness of the GSUSA participating in the Women’s March, while commending the AHG having girls participate in the March For Life.

Sure it is consistent, to applaud them for participating in one good event, and for not participating in a one bad event. I hasten to emphasize that some good individuals did join in the Women’s March, because of peer pressure, or because they didn’t know the larger agenda involved.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Sure it is consistent, to applaud them for participating in one good event, and for not participating in a one bad event. I hasten to emphasize that some good individuals did join in the Women’s March, because of peer pressure, or because they didn’t know the larger agenda involved.

If the point is simply “the GSUSA is too entwined with the abortion lobby and I’d rather have my girls join an openly prolife scouting group” then I’d agree.

If the point is “the GSUSA is too politicized and encouraging girls to participate in events that are not age-appropriate” then I think that is not enough of a reason to pull all support.