It seems to me that, within certain bounds, there is more value in engaging a broader audience than in maintaining some sort of ideological purity. Unfortunately, it seems like the Boy Scouts in the US are seen more as an exemplar of True Americanism, and thus get entangled in issues that are more conservatively ideological than — well — helpful to boys.
I have to wonder: for those in the US who are aghast at non-religious UK Scouts being able to promise to "uphold our scout values" rather than "do my duty to God" … is that more or less of an issue than UK scounts swearing to "do my duty to the Queen"? And why?
Scouts announce promise for atheists
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Remember the Scout Law? A Scout is..
Trustworthy. Just don't accord trust to people with the "wrong" sexual orientation.
Loyal. Except to Scout leaders who come out of the closet.
Helpful. Here, let us help you through the door.
Friendly. Kick 'em out with a smile!
Courteous. And with pleasantries.
Kind. It's much kinder to discard somebody than to pretend to care about them.
Obedient. But we'll pick whom to obey. Certainly not any Biblical figure who preached tolerance and brotherly love, though.
Cheerful. Laugh when they hit the curb.
Thrifty. I suppose I'll have to give them a pass on this one. Unless, of course, they undertake expensive lawsuits or campaigns to justify homophobia.
Brave. Bwa-ha-hah!
Clean. Note the difference between "cleaning" and "cleansing."
Reverent. See "Obedient."
That's certainly been the case in some Scouting troops (and the purpose to which some folks think Scouting should be driven). It doesn't have to be that way.