Is it okay to support the Girl Scouts?

[Stylteralmaldo]

I’d like some help regarding whether it is okay as a Catholic to support the Girl Scouts. I’m perplexed because our parish sold Girl Scout cookies this year…but I’ve also heard that the USCCB was watching them (news report from 2012). I haven’t seen an all out ban regarding them. Any help would be great.

If you support Catholics giving to the Girl Scouts, please indicate your reason why.

If you do not support giving to the Girl Scouts, please indicate your reason why.

 

[Gardenman]

I refuse to support the Girl Scouts solely based on the fact that they support Planned Parenthood and vice versa. PP is the biggest abortion provider in this country. Not only do they kill preborn children, they also promote casual sex and contraception. By purchasing Girl Scout cookies or any other financial donations to the GS, you are contributing to abortion, and aiding in PP’s agenda to contaminate the minds of young girls. Whether you choose to believe it or not, if you buy GS Cookies, you are aiding and abetting in the killing of unborn children.
Read up on Planned Parenthood and your eyes will be opened. Then call the Girl Scouts and ask them. You’ll be shocked.

 

[ChibiViolet]

I refuse to support the Girl Scouts solely based on the fact that they support Planned Parenthood and vice versa. PP is the biggest abortion provider in this country. Not only do they kill preborn children, they also promote casual sex and contraception. By purchasing Girl Scout cookies or any other financial donations to the GS, you are contributing to abortion, and aiding in PP’s agenda to contaminate the minds of young girls. Whether you choose to believe it or not, if you buy GS Cookies, you are aiding and abetting in the killing of unborn children.
Read up on Planned Parenthood and your eyes will be opened. Then call the Girl Scouts and ask them. You’ll be shocked.

This.

 

[Bradski]

I refuse to support the Girl Scouts solely based on the fact that they support Planned Parenthood and vice versa.

GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues related to human sexuality, and we DO NOT have a national relationship with Planned Parenthood.
snopes.com/politics/sexuality/girlscouts.asp#HyUL62lWWry6Z98r.99

Do you have anything that would contradict this statement?

 

[mab23]

since I have learned about the financial support of planned parenthood which I heard on Catholic Answers Live , I have not bought a box and will not until that changes

 

[iand]

Maybe I’m missing something here: are you really worried about the girl scouts?

 

[Gardenman]

GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues related to human sexuality, and we DO NOT have a national relationship with Planned Parenthood.
snopes.com/politics/sexuality/girlscouts.asp#HyUL62lWWry6Z98r.99

Do you have anything that would contradict this statement?

 

[Gardenman]

Don’t insult my intelligence by telling me that.
I have, right in front of me, a brochure entitled “Healthy Happy and Hot” produced by PP with the Girl Scout LOGO on the back of it.
Do a google search on PP and the Girl Scouts and you’ll find plenty of evidence that refutes what you’re saying.
Here’s one example:
lifesitenews.com/2010/03/11/int.1482/

 

[_Abyssinia]

Maybe I’m missing something here: are you really worried about the girl scouts?

Catholic Bishops said they were investigating the Girls Scouts, I am not sure of what has come of it

St Timothy Catholic Parish in Virginia has banned girl scout troops from using parish facilities

Bishop Conley has said

“It’s hard to imagine that a girl who remains involved with Girl Scouts into young adulthood won’t eventually learn of the connections her organization has with ‘pro-choice’, pro-contraception and ‘reproductive freedom’ groups,” the youth minister wrote. “If she was introduced to GSUSA through her parents and her local parish, then that will inevitably create contradictions between her Catholic faith and her Scouting experience.”

The bishop notes that Scouting’s structures allow local troops to have a certain amount of autonomy, but nevertheless he says the activities and orientations of the international and national Scout bodies have “an important trickle-down effect.” “This is exactly why ‘pro-choice’ organizations have worked to develop connections with the Scouting movement,” he writes.

“Parents, as the primary educators of their children, have every right to insist that their beliefs, especially their moral and religious beliefs, be respected—not undermined—by the organizations to which they entrust their children,” he says. “Parents need to remain alert to the content of their daughters’ activities. And Catholics involved in the Girl Scouting movement should make it clear to leadership that Scouting is only a means to an end—the proper formation of young character.”

“It’s not an end in itself; and should Scouting ever fail in that proper formation, other groups can be found or formed to take its place,” he concludes.

Girl Scouts have a relationship with the largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood

WAGGGS stands for World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts

A noted player on the international stage, WAGGGS is an ardent advocate for controversial social policies including abortion and sex rights for children. Girl Scouts USA is its single largest organizational funder. In fact, every American girl who joins a Girl Scout troop at her neighborhood church is made a de facto member of this radical group.

If you have not read about the plans, programs, and priorities of WAGGGS, you must do so today. I promise, it will give you something to think about.

Read about WAGGGS here:

100questionsforthegirlscouts.org/100/wagggs.cfm

girlscoutswhynot.com/WAGGGS.html

honestgirlscouts.com/files/HGS2011NatlConvFlyer.pdf

Reprinted with permission from Family Research Council.

 

[iand]

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[crosslover]

EWTN’s “The Good Fight” (radio) just covered the Girl Scouts’ pro-abortion connections on February 2, 2013 in a show featuring Catholic attorney, Mary Rice Hasson, Steve Rupp (Vice President of Missouri Right to Life) and two Catholic moms of former Girl Scouts who have done years of research. You can listen to the show here:
Part 1: avemariaradio.net/archiveListen.php?file=tgf_20130202_1
Part 2: avemariaradio.net/archiveListen.php?file=tgf_20130202_2

Also – check out Missouri Right to Life’s new policy statement on the Girl Scouts. missourilife.org/policies/girlscouts.html It provides solid documentation to support their claims, from the Girl Scouts’ own website, tax returns, and curriculum. Could any pastor or faithful Catholic support GS after seeing what they are trying to teach our girls? It is completely anti-ethical to Catholic teaching. God bless you in your search for truth +++

 

[The_Bucket]

It’s a tough one because it’s not like the girls in the Girl Scouts are actually doing anything wrong. Or that they’re trying to support Planned Parenthood. And certainly the scouts and what they do has absolutely nothing to do with Planned Parenthood. I really don’t understand why the national organization has ties to PP. That they do is a certifiable fact. Why? I have no idea.

I think buying Girl Scout cookies is akin to buying like, a yogurt brand that has a relationship with Susan G. Komen, which has a relationship with Planned Parenthood. Is it sinful? I don’t think so. Is it something I particularly care to do if there are other yogurts available? No.

Would I get all up in some little girl’s face and tell her why I’m not going to buy her cookies? Heck no.

 

[Brendan]

GSUSA does not take a position or develop materials on issues related to human sexuality, and we DO NOT have a national relationship with Planned Parenthood.
snopes.com/politics/sexuality/girlscouts.asp#HyUL62lWWry6Z98r.99

Do you have anything that would contradict this statement?

You are correct in that is what their current position is

No, but I will offer this quote

The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.

• Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

[Brendan]

And then there are the ‘Journey’ Books.

Go read the play “Simply Maria”

It’s gets a great review on pg 51 of the aMuze book (grade 4-5). here is how the author portrays Catholic Marriage

PRIEST. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, under the Catholic church, in the holy house of God, to unite these two people in holy matrimony. Marriage is sacred. It is the unification of a man and a woman, their love and commitment, forever, and ever, and ever, no matter what! Well, then let’s begin.

María, do you accept José Juan Gonzalez García López as your lawfully wedded husband to love cherish, serve, cook for, clean for, sacrifice for, have his children, keep house, love him, even if he beats you, commits adultery, gets drunk, rapes you, lawfully, denies your identity, money, and in return ask for nothing? (MARIA thinks about it and then turns to her parents who mouth to her “I do.”)

MARIA. I do.

PRIEST. Very good. Now, José. Do you accept María García Gonzalez López as your lawfully wedded wife to support?

JOSE. Simón, que yes.

PRIEST. Good. Well, if there is anyone present who is opposed to the union of these two people, speak now, or forever hold your truth. (RICARDO stands up, takes out a gun, and brandishes it to the audience.) Do you have the ring? (JOSE takes out a golden dog collar. The PRIEST gives it his blessings.) 5, 6, 7, 8. By the power vested in me, under the Catholic church, in the holy house of God, I pronounce you man and wife.

(The THREE GIRLS take away MARIA’s veil and bouquet. They place the dog collar around MARIA’s neck. Then they get the wedding lasso and tie it around her to make the collar seem and work like a leash. PRIEST speaks to JOSE.)(The lasso is given to JOSE. He pulls MARIA, who gets on her hands and knees. They walk down the aisle like dog and master. The wedding march plays, people begin to leave. Lights fade out.)

PRIEST:You may pet the bride.

The above is the type of work that the GSUSA give positive attention to and accoladtes to the author of that drivel.

( BTW, later on in the play, the author has Maria being encourage to touch and explore herself)

There is also the ink to the PP\NOW site “WomensMedia Center” pg 71 of the MEdia book. It is one of the very few actual links given and girls are encouraged to view it as a source of media truth.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

…I think buying Girl Scout cookies is akin to buying like, a yogurt brand that has a relationship with Susan G. Komen, which has a relationship with Planned Parenthood. Is it sinful? I don’t think so. Is it something I particularly care to do if there are other yogurts available?..

I have a real world example I’d like to present to the forum participants. The company I work for makes a product. That product is sold to a company called American Girl. American Girl (last I heard) financially supports Planned Parenthood. I will not buy American Girl products for this very reason. However, if someone became aware that my company sells a product to American Girl, should we be boycotted as well as American Girl?

Should I find another job because one of our 400+ customers (who buys from us once every other year or so) supports abortion rights? Are the situations comparable? Is the international group’s blatant support for Planned Parenthood nullify all of GSUSA groups because the national group supports the inter-national one?

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

…St Timothy Catholic Parish in Virginia has banned girl scout troops from using parish facilities.,.

Although as a rule I don’t trust Lifesitenews as a source, multiple sources are helpful. Here’s one I just read from Catholic News Agency.

catholicnewsagency.com/cw/post.php?id=626

Still…that ban occurred nearly a year ago, and as you said, The USCCB hasn’t had any new information. I know they’ve had some bigger fish to fry perhaps (some sort of national health care bill blatently anti-Catholic out there I presume they’re dealing with full force).

 

[migueltojose]

This is an issue with secular relativism and the decline of the influence of the Catholic Church in America and even the decline in Catholics in America.

1. We are outnumbered. We have to learn to adjust to the fact that we are a minority. Practicing Catholics are an even smaller minority. Mainstream Catholics (Pelosi, Sebelius, on and on and on…) have succumbed to it. Most Catholics are “mainstream” catholics. Not only do we lack the numbers, but our numbers are split such that we are rendered politically ineffective and almost irrelevant. (Half Catholics vote one way and the other half vote the other… essentially canceling each other out.) These politicians and Madison Avenue guys know what they’re doing.
2. Since we are outnumbered, interfacing with the mainstream will always be dicey. For goodness sakes, it’s even gotten to the Girl Scouts. It is everywhere. We are immersed in it. At work, at play, in the neighborhood. Obviously the media. Even Catholic Schools (especially Universities) and Churches. Probably more than half the people sitting next to you at Church are “mainstream”. If you don’t want to support it you would have to be a hermit because just living here civilly requires some level of acceptance in order to get along and exist. And it’s not going to get any better anytime soon. (Demographically anyway, not without something extraordinary happening, which is always a possibility.)
3. Tune In to the Holy Spirit, Turn On to Jesus Christ and drop out of the culture of death.

We have to recapture the soul of America one soul at a time.
If we want to affect our culture we need to reach a ‘critical mass’.

Educate, Evangelize and by the Grace of God, Enlighten.

The Pope’s ‘Year of Faith’ and the ‘New Evangelization’ were spot on.

 

[Cariethra]

I haven’t supported the Girl Scouts for a long time. They aren’t about empowering women. They are about telling young girls that they are better than men because they are women. There is little to no content when it comes to their curriculum. You don’t have to really try to advance.

 

[crosslover]

The concerns about Girl Scouts USA are not just about funding another big corporation who is entangled with the culture of death – this is about YOUNG GIRLS. Komen, Starbucks, Ford – none of those big PP supporters are actually teaching girls. But GSUSA has influence over 2.3 MILLION girls in the US alone. I don’t avidly boycott, but when it comes to indoctrinating our youth with moral relativism and the pro-choice mentality – yes I will take a stand to protect our kids. And you should too.

GSUSA has their nice statement that they don’t take a position on abortion, birth control, etc. but what they SAY and what they DO are two different things.
The GSUSA official materials for our daughters, promoted and sold by EVERY local Girl Scout council including yours, hold up pro-abortion groups and women as role models and encourage our daughters to explore these immoral groups. See the page scans for yourself at this link speaknowgirlscouts.com/index.php?p=1_4_The-latest-Journeys-more and then go look in your local GS council bookstore to confirm that pro-abortion groups like ACLU, Amnesty International, WAGGGS, National Organization for Women, and others, are being promoted to our daughters. These books are in the girls hands.

Regarding PP and GSUSA — while GSUSA says they (meaning the national organization) does not have a formal relationship with PP, GSUSA’s spokesperson, Michelle Tompkins, says that local GS councils are permitted to partner with Planned Parenthood should they choose to do so. (Listen to her interview stating this at this link at the 3:44 minute mark youtube.com/watch?v=uwgPf0j4ehs ) And some GS councils do use PP employees for various events or training. Here’s a fairly recent example: Girl Scouts Imperial Valley featured a Planned Parenthood “Community Engagement Manager” as a keynote speaker at an event for girls in August 2012. ivpressonline.com/news/ivp-summit-seeks-to-empower-motivate-valley-girl-scouts-20120809%2c0%2c7849139.story There are other examples.

But it does go beyond PP – even if GSUSA said councils may not partner with PP – there would still be the issue of the curriculum and the many other groups GSUSA supports and promotes. Here’s one more example (and I have plenty more): GSUSA is a member of the Coalition for Adolescent Girls along with international abortion provider Marie Stopes mariestopes.org/what-we-do/safe-abortion-and-postabortion-care and several other pro-abortion groups coalitionforadolescentgirls.org/community/members/. This Coalition meets quarterly and one of their goals is to expand abortion and contraception access for young girls globally. (see page 3/item 3 of this Coalition Agenda outline coalitionforadolescentgirls.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Girls_Count_Series_Actions.pdf) Why is GSUSA part of this group?

I would be glad to share more examples – the GSUSA issues run wide and deep.
Lenten Blessings +++

 

[rotlex]

Yes, I absolutely support them in our local area. Get a freakin’ grip. My daughter has been a girl scout for a number of years. They don’t indoctrinate or brain wash anyone. They are a group of young girls that get along well, have a good time doing crafts, camping and yes, selling cookies. Heck, my parish supports both our local girl scout as well as boy scout troops.

Really, get over it. The zealots on these forums are too much to take sometime.

“It’s a conspiracy man! It’s in the cookies!”