Quin Monson, a former scout, current father of a scout and a professor at Brigham Young University, recently spoke out about his disappointment in the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to lift its ban on openly gay troop leaders in an interview with National Public Radio (NPR)’s Weekend Edition.

Monson explained that there is a century of shared history between the BSA and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

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“The church took the Boy Scout program and decided its values and mission aligned closely enough with that of the church’s program for young men that they just wholesale adopted it,” Monson said. “Basically, if you are a young Mormon male, you join the Boy Scouts.”

Now that the BSA has decided to lift the ban on gay scout leaders, the Mormon church is considering severing its ties with the national organization.

“My sense is that there’s not disappointment with the church as much as maybe disappointment with the scout program,” Monson said, “and just disappointment that the relationship might be in danger, because it’s something that’s valued and loved.”

Monson said, “The BSA statement allows for leaders who are openly gay and what that means in practice is, I don’t think, exactly clear. But I think that it very well could conflict with the church’s own policy which is, ‘You can identify as gay and be an active, faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.’ The problem is acting on that same-sex attraction, so there’s a distinction between actions and orientation.”

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Monson is not too happy that his son says he fails to see the issue with allowing gay scouts and scouting leaders.

“He’s a pretty deep thinker, and a thoughtful kid, but his reaction was, ‘Well, I don’t see why it matters, dad. Why is this such a big deal?’” said Monson.

“That’s the hard part about all of this,” Monson said, his voice breaking as he is overcome with emotion, “is that it impacts a group of young men who don’t necessarily understand why.”

Listen to NPR’s interview with Monson, embedded below:

h/t: rawstory

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