NASHVILLE, TN -- Many conservative religious groups were surprised by a recent vote by the Boy Scouts of America to amend membership requirements. The organization will now allow wealthy youth to be scouts, although a ban on wealthy scout leaders remains in place.
Dr. Richard D. Land is the president of The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the moral and ethics concern entity of the Southern Baptist Convention in the United States.
“We are saddened by the Boy Scouts decision to fly in the face of traditional Christian values. Being wealthy is continually condemned throughout Scripture, particularly by Jesus himself in the New Testament. Frankly, I will be surprised if any Southern Baptist churches continue sponsoring boy scout troops that allow wealthy members.”
“I mean, have you read James chapter 5?” Dr. Land continued, “Or the Magnificat?"
"What about Matthew 19 where Jesus says that it is harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? I don’t think that was about finding giant needles or tiny camels...”
"What about Matthew 19 where Jesus says that it is harder for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? I don’t think that was about finding giant needles or tiny camels...”
When asked what he thought about interpretations of the Scriptures which suggest that the real point is about prioritizing things in life, rather than directly condemning wealth, Mr. Land snorted, “What are we going to do? Take the Bible at face value when it suits us and then do theological gymnastics when it doesn’t?”
The Boy Scouts of America also recently voted to allow gay members to be admitted to the group.
“The gay thing is a sideshow,” said Dr. Land. “Sure, we don’t like that either, but Jesus didn’t even mention it directly. When I think of a gay person and a rich person, I think I know who has a better chance of getting through the eye of that needle!”
When asked about the suit he was wearing, and whether it reflected a degree of wealth, Dr. Land responded quickly, “What, this thing? I got it at a garage sale.”
As he opened the door to his rusted 1998 Ford Festiva, he called back, “What do you think I am? A Presbyterian?”
