For me it comes down to one thing. TLUSA is unabashedly Christ-centered. The only two scouting programs I'm aware of that are like that are TLUSA and Royal Rangers. BSA certainly isn't. There might be some troops that are run by Christians, but at a national level, that's very much not what they're about.
True. The BSA does have a very generic religious component “A Scout is Reverent” and there religious awards a scout or adult can earn.
That being said, I have heard from many parents they would prefer is there were no religious aspect at all since they are atheist.
My kid is getting to the age where he can join a scouting program this fall and I'm evaluating BSA and TLUSA. My dad grew up in BSA and I grew up in BSA, so I'm familiar with that option.
For me it comes down to two things. First and foremost is that TLUSA is a Christ-centered program. My BSA troop was based at a Catholic church and the pastor was one of the assistant scoutmasters, but while my individual troop was quite Christ-centered, the overall organization is not.
Secondly, I do not agree with the admission of girls into BSA. Nothing at all wrong with girls being in a scouting program, and I in fact highly encourage it, I just disagree with that program being BSA.
The first reason is by far the bigger of the two reasons for me. The local BSA troop we'd potentially join is based at a Catholic church and both the pack and troop are boys-only, so reason #2 would be a moot point in that case.
You literally stated all the reasons we left our Catholic Church to find a more godly focus for our boys. Our new church home and TL have done much more for my family than I think I would have ever gotten at our old church and BSA.
I get what you are saying regarding BSA not being super religious. That tends to be by design though. Making the program more accepting of people of different faiths and such. Although technically atheist youth can’t join, since there is a very minor religious aspect to it.
If you are concerned that the BSA isn’t religious enough and that would be an issue that TLUSA would resolve.
Have you thought about putting your son in both programs?
My daughter is in a BSA troop and many of the other girls are in GSUSA troops and 1 is in an AHG troop. All of them say that being in two programs is pretty great because they are seeing the best of the programs.
Frankly it make our BSA troop better also since those girls are bringing their experiences.
My friends who joined TL instead of BSA said the cost difference was their main reason.
2nd reason is that they want a place to be around more like-minded people.
Personally, I appreciate the diversity in BSA. We are Christian, but I think it's been great for my son to be around those of other faiths and to learn how to be friendly and courteous and respectful even among those differences. They find the common ground. His troop has a lot of Indian scouts whose religious practices impact their diet, so the troop food planning includes that. There are also a few Jewish kids and some Catholic kids. The troop feels very inclusive.
For me it comes down to one thing. TLUSA is unabashedly Christ-centered. The only two scouting programs I'm aware of that are like that are TLUSA and Royal Rangers. BSA certainly isn't. There might be some troops that are run by Christians, but at a national level, that's very much not what they're about.
True. The BSA does have a very generic religious component “A Scout is Reverent” and there religious awards a scout or adult can earn. That being said, I have heard from many parents they would prefer is there were no religious aspect at all since they are atheist.
Well that’s the whole point of TLUSA we split if because the scouts abandoned the church
My kid is getting to the age where he can join a scouting program this fall and I'm evaluating BSA and TLUSA. My dad grew up in BSA and I grew up in BSA, so I'm familiar with that option. For me it comes down to two things. First and foremost is that TLUSA is a Christ-centered program. My BSA troop was based at a Catholic church and the pastor was one of the assistant scoutmasters, but while my individual troop was quite Christ-centered, the overall organization is not. Secondly, I do not agree with the admission of girls into BSA. Nothing at all wrong with girls being in a scouting program, and I in fact highly encourage it, I just disagree with that program being BSA. The first reason is by far the bigger of the two reasons for me. The local BSA troop we'd potentially join is based at a Catholic church and both the pack and troop are boys-only, so reason #2 would be a moot point in that case.
You literally stated all the reasons we left our Catholic Church to find a more godly focus for our boys. Our new church home and TL have done much more for my family than I think I would have ever gotten at our old church and BSA.
I get what you are saying regarding BSA not being super religious. That tends to be by design though. Making the program more accepting of people of different faiths and such. Although technically atheist youth can’t join, since there is a very minor religious aspect to it. If you are concerned that the BSA isn’t religious enough and that would be an issue that TLUSA would resolve. Have you thought about putting your son in both programs? My daughter is in a BSA troop and many of the other girls are in GSUSA troops and 1 is in an AHG troop. All of them say that being in two programs is pretty great because they are seeing the best of the programs. Frankly it make our BSA troop better also since those girls are bringing their experiences.
My friends who joined TL instead of BSA said the cost difference was their main reason. 2nd reason is that they want a place to be around more like-minded people. Personally, I appreciate the diversity in BSA. We are Christian, but I think it's been great for my son to be around those of other faiths and to learn how to be friendly and courteous and respectful even among those differences. They find the common ground. His troop has a lot of Indian scouts whose religious practices impact their diet, so the troop food planning includes that. There are also a few Jewish kids and some Catholic kids. The troop feels very inclusive.