The Boy Scouts of America Have Earned DEMERIT Badges

Secret Perversion Files Have Surfaced

Apparently, the Boy Scouts of America hid for years the fact that they kept detailed records of scoutmasters and other volunteers who were suspected of molesting children. These “perversion” files, numbering in the thousands, were also known as the “ineligible” files.

Why They Were Discovered

Because of civil court cases against the Boy Scouts of America, lawyers representing alleged abused Boy Scout victims dragged out these files to prove that top Scouting officials knew by the 1960’s that pedophiles were gaining access to victims through scouting. Yet they did not put protective measures into play until the 1980’s.

These files were compiled to kick and keep out pedophiles from scouting. Director of Communications for BSA, Deron Smith said the records exist to help carry out the organization’s policy, which hasn’t changed, of excluding homosexual people from Scouting.

What King-TV (Seattle) Found: Therein Lies the Problem

However, not all of the files relate to sexual abuse. The “perversion” files are basically a list of people who do not meet BSA’s standards, according to Smith: various types of alleged or proven inappropriate conduct either inside or outside Scouting, including suspected or known child abuse, criminal convictions, immoral conduct, substance abuse, and theft.

KING-TV investigators found within the files not just suspected molesters, but files on leaders who were suspected of being gay. http://www.kpictv.com/story/19818253/boy-scouts-perversion-files-targeted innocent-gay-leaders. You can watch their report.

Gay Former Leaders Are Outraged At The Finding

Former Eagle Scout and Scout Leader Joe Hopkins of Seattle is upset and hurt upon seeing some of the files for himself.  “It’s really sad. It’s unbelievable to actually see the proof that they’ve been doing this. I loved being a Boy Scout. I totally immersed myself in the program. I think they gave me the fundamental values of a moral life. And now to have them turn around and say, you’re automatically bad.”

BSA Policies Attracting Widespread Negativity

Since its controversial policy of excluding homosexuals both as scouts, leaders and volunteers  was not changed last July, the BSA has received petitions, turned-in scouting medals, and vehement letters from the public.

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