A couple months ago, I mentioned that 19 non-theistic organizations had written a letter to then President-elect Obama urging him not to accept the title of Honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America.
Those efforts seem to have fallen on deaf ears. On Tuesday, Obama hinted that he would accept that title:
Obama was meeting with a delegation of the Boy Scouts in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon, at which time he was to accept the group’s 2008 Report to the Nation.
A Boy Scouts spokesman said Obama has indicated he will accept the title of honorary president.
It’s only a symbolic title, but it matters quite a bit to those of us who wish to see the Boy Scouts succeed while at the same time becoming inclusive for all those kids who want to join but are currently forbidden from doing so.
Obama’s decision sends another message (like his expansion of faith-based funding) that it’s ok for groups to discriminate against gays, atheists, and other non-Christians while receiving government funding.
I’m waiting for Obama to be the president I voted for when it comes to social issues. He hasn’t been that person yet.