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This weeks contest question: Should Christians allow their daughter in the Girls Scouts with their ongoing support of Planned Parenthood? Read post about Girl Scouts and PP here.
Rules
1. All answers must be submitted as a comment to this post
2. Winners will be picked at random from those who enter
3. Answers must be posted by 10:00 PM EST
We will post the winners on Friday night and they have until Monday at Noon EST to claim their Prize.
I think it is alright to let them in the group because they do teach some very valuable lessons, and sometimes there isn’t a more Christian-centered group in the area. I think it is important to educate your daughters first and be involved in all GS activities from the start. Mothers should become troupe leaders or at least be “troupe mothers.” This not only ensures that your daughters are getting the right information and good information, but you and your daughter can further bond and create a stronger relationship.
no, they should not. and if they want to keep supporting them, then they should try their best to change the scout’s position.
No, it’s that simple.
Children should not be exposed to Planned Parenthood’s lies.
i 100% say no b/c i would not want my child in any organization that promotes plannedparenthood.but on the other hand i might say yes so my child or myself can bring more awareness to what planned parenthood really is.
Well, this is kind of hard to answer. My first response would be NO, they should NOT let their daughters participate. After a bit more thought though, I would say that the other girl scouts could probably use a good influence. It comes down to the judgement of the parents, about how strong they think their daughter is in her faith. If they belive her daughter is strong-willed, and not easily influenced, it might be a good idea to let her join so that she can be a good example to the other girls. If they belive she is easily influenced, then they should keep her out. So my answer is this: it depends. One thing I can say for certain is that it is horrid that the Girl Scouts sport planned parenthood.
I think this is something that requires the parents to pay attention to what their kids are doing. I think protesting from the inside is more effective than standing outside the association.
Nope. Any group that would support another group with such barbaric ideology is a big no-no, especially for children. A bunch of good deeds and good influence do not negate the sins of Planned Parenthood.
No, if the Girl Scouts supports PP and I pay the Girl Scouts for my daughter to be a part of it, then I am supporting PP with my money. I already support PP with my money when the government is giving them millions of our tax dollars, why would I want to give them any more? I’m not going to join the KKK to be able to be a “voice on the inside”, and the same goes with PP.
No. First, I didn’t know that Girl Scouts supported Planned Parenthood. My daughter was in the girls scouts last year and at no point was this brought to my attention. Second, the amount of money that Girl Scouts makes on badges, memberships, camps, etc… I would guess that Planned Parenthood gets a pretty penny from Girl Scouts. For the future, I will not allow my daughter to participate in Girl Scouts knowing this information…why? Because why should my daughter work her butt off selling cookies and many other activities to help support her own troop AND Planned Parenthood!? Yes, the Girl Scouts teach good morals and values, well, except in the fact that they support Planned Parenthood! What kind of a confusing message would I be sending to my daughter!? It’s black and white, no gray. I can send my daughter to Awannas or invite her girlfriends to my house to teach them great morals and values with fun games and crafts without having to compromise my beliefs or values… I could send my daughter to Girl Scouts hoping she would be a good influence, but why would I want to take that chance? Could I participate and become a Troop Leader? Yes, but then I would have to contribute to them financially. Could I become a “den mother” yes, but I can gurantee that one persons opinion on the inside, means nothing to the Girl Scouts. This subject would have to get mass public attention through the scrutiny of the media in order for Girl Scout to even consider not supporting Planned Parenthood.
This is a really hard question…It’s weird cuz I was just hearing yesterday how Starbucks is such a major contributor to Planned Parenthood, and my mom and I love Starbucks, who doesn’t? But, we decided ‘Well there are other coffee shops, Starbucks isn’t the only one’. It’s becoming a big thing among many of my mom’s friends and they’re all finding new coffee shops. There are many things we do that we don’t even know how we’re indirectly supporting stuff like this. It happens every day and in so many instances so when we do find out about them, I do think we should find alternatives so that we can stand up and be a voice. If we all just sit back and put up with it, these people will continue to get away with all that they’re doing. Yeah it’s hard to tell your daughter they can’t be a girl scout if that’s something they really want to do, and it’s hard to just not go to Starbucks anymore! But we can’t sit back and let these things happen. Maybe, for now anyways, it doesn’t seem like we’re not making any difference whether we support these places or not, but if we continue to, not necessarily “boycott”, but to avoid supporters of Planned Parenthood and word eventually gets around and we gain momentum, one day it will make a difference. I say we all take our stand and stand true for justice!
Alyssa — are you serious about Starbucks?! I’m going to have to look into this — My husband and I love Starbucks.
I say it depends on the situation. I would let my daughter participate in a local group run by a church or some other good organization if the dues went straight to their group, at least for the most part. I would not want to have her sell cookies or do anything where the majority of the money went to the central organization.
Generally, I think that it is not feasible to boycott everything that supports Planned Parenthood. We are talking hundreds if not thousands of companies, most of which probably support PP to a less significant degree than paying taxes does (about 1/3 of PP’s money comes from the government).
I have been a Girl Scout since 2nd grade, and my freshman year of college I paid the dues for a Lifetime Membership card. My mom is the leader of my younger sister’s Girl Scout troop. We are a very Catholic, very pro-life family, and actually had this discussion the other day.
Sometimes you have to pick your battles. For example: I attend Virginia Tech, and as such I pay tuition. The school has a Women’s Health Center, and most of the “noble work” this center does is pass out birth control and refer girls to PP in “times of need.” This center is funded in part by tuition money. Should I stop attending Virginia Tech because a portion of my tuition money pays the people that make these referrals? I know there’s a big uproar right now about not allowing PP to receive federal funding, but the ironic part is- THEY ALREADY DO. PP receives thousands of dollars of tax money every year, though not directly for abortion funding. Does this mean all Christians should stop paying taxes because some of it will end up at PP?
The Girl Scouts are a wonderful organization that does good work for girls. As a Scout, I learned not only how to cook over a camp fire or tie a knot, but money management skills through selling cookies and saving for group trips; I participated in numerous service projects that directly benefited my community and taught me humility; and most of all, I was empowered to believe in my own potential, and to see firsthand that if I put my mind to something, I can accomplish something great- I can make it through engineering school and support myself without the charity of my parents. Not once did my leader (and I’ve been in several troops) say a THING about birth control or PP. Not once was I invited to a Scout-sponsored extreme feminist rally or the like. Not once was politics involved in Scouting- except to stress to us that if there is something we care about, we should speak out. If anything, Scouting helped me become MORE pro-life.
Like any company, The Girl Scouts are run by a corporate board, and that board allocates money as it sees fit. Yes, a portion of the dues and cookie money makes up that amount, and that board can donate to “charitable” organizations. But a greater portion of those dues and cookie sales go towards service projects for the Scouts’ communities and educational opportunities that girls wouldn’t otherwise achieve. Just because the leadership is tainted, it doesn’t mean the organization doesn’t do great work.
Another example- I have an internship with a position in the federal government. As such, the president is my “boss”, of sorts. I don’t agree with any of the work this president does; should I quit my job? If a democrat is in office, are all Christians obligated to quit their federal government jobs?
Another example- Pepsi Co., Ford Motors, and other companies donate money to pro-homosexual groups. Does that mean that Christians should not work for those companies? Does that mean you shouldn’t go to McDonald’s and buy a burger because they sell Pepsi there, and some of the money you paid for that burger will find its way to Pepsi, who will in turn give it to radical homosexual groups? (I don’t know off the top of my head if McD’s is Pepsi or Coke, but for this example, let’s pretend it’s Pepsi.)
The good of Scouting far outweighs the decisions of a few of its members- even if those members are the ones in power. The KKK example given by Rachel is not a good correlation- that implies that all Girl Scout troops and leaders actively promote Planned Parenthood, when in fact, they do not. The story Bryan referred to involves less of an American Girl Scouting initiative and more of a UN political program; yes, the Scouts supported it, but Bryan, I’m 90% sure you WON’T see those flyers distributed by local Scouts- leaders are allowed conscientious exception. Again, the decisions of the world Scout organization leaders DO NOT necessarily trickle down to the GOOD work that Scouts do. And I’m sorry, but the “American Heritage Girls” are just not the same thing at all. They’re a cute idea for homeschool families, but for the rest of us that realize you can’t keep yourself and your family in a bubble, it’s not a viable option- you need to interact with people who disagree with you, else it’s just too easy to be Christian. But that’s another topic entirely.
I just wanted to let you know that Pepsi Co. didn’t contribute to homosexual groups in 2009. I was participating in the boycott headed up by AFA, but AFA said that the contributions made in the past were not repeated. So that’s a small battle we won (for now).
I have 4 daughters and I would never allow them to join. I couldn’t in good conscience allow them to be part of an organization that would support planned parenthood or that would knowingly and willingly allow planned parenthood to distribute such disgusting materials to impressionable young women.
No way. I don’t think it’s at all okay for Christian parents to enroll their daughters in Girl Scouts when the organization is so blatantly promoting Planned Parenthood’s garbage in the name of “sex education.” They’re exposing innocent little girls to pornographic polution of both the heart and mind! I don’t believe a Christian parent could in good conscience pay the cost of enrollment and other Scout fees when they are, in fact, both cooperating and affiliating with views they completely oppose! Of course, they themselves would never freely and openly disribute such babaric and horrifying literature, would they? Of course not! But the sad truth is that in cases like this, Christians think it’s ok to be involved in such an organization although it completely conflicts with their own worldview and morals, because “it teaches so much good, too.” However, there is simply no easy way to rationalize such a choice when a Christian parent is aware of the situation. It does not uphold truth, it is not righteous, nor does it boldy stand true for Christ. It doesn’t proclaim “I am a stranger in this world!” We as Christians need to live with an eternal perspective and remember that “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
If I had daughters I wouldn’t let them be in girl scouts because it’s all very feminist. I think that is why planned parenthood is supporting it.
No. Plain and simple. Why should we send our daughters to an group that supports organizations that would have aborted them as soon as looked at them. It’s a ridiculous situation that parents shouldn’t be placed in.
Well first i would like to say that myself and my husband do not believe in the GS or BS due to the facts that they believe in other Gods and they have a strong back ground of The masonic lodge and eastern star which are not beleivers of GOD. And to speek about the Planned parenthood affiliation with the GS its doen’t surprize me at all. And i would really hope that any mother would have done there homework before alowing there daughters in such a group…
No. I think that girls can learn values and have fun in ways that do not morally or monetarily support an organization such as Planned Parenthood.
As much I would very much have liked to some day have a daughter that could enjoy Girl Scouts like I did as a child, I don’t like the idea of leaving my child in the hands of people who are going to teach them things that go against my beliefs, values, etc. So what other people choose to do with their children is their business but personally I don’t think I could allow a child of mine to be part of the Girl Scouts (or the Boy Scouts, to be honest). Both groups have been increasingly turning a direction that I can’t support. There are plenty of other groups teaching children good wholesome things and lifeskills that don’t support things I am against.
No, I definitely wouldn’t want my daughters to be involved with a group promoting an organization that is demeaning to women. I think there is a lot to be said for what and when your children see you stand up for what you believe in.
Girl Scouts should represent the beauty of life and not support abortion and pro-choice. Christian parents should teach their kids to be Pro-Life. Kids should still be able to join Girls Scouts but parent should teach their kids right from wrong.
If Planned Parenthood supports Girl Scouts, then I imagine Girl Scouts wouldn’t encourage abstinence, rather discourage it. There are other, better alternatives to the Girl Scouts that don’t support Planned Parenthood and abortion.
No. There exist Christ centered organizations that respect humanity and embrace familial community and service to the One True God. Examples are American Heritage Girls (http://www.ahgonline.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=18722) and Awana (http://www.awana.org). Involvement with the Girl Scouts organization will enable further support of PP.
No, they should not, and neither should they allow their Sons to participate in the Boy Scouts as long as support Gay Rights.
Really liking Amanda N’s post.
Having said that, I made the decision years ago to never provide direct support to my enemies. And by that I mean:
If a group of actors uses their popularity from a TV show to push an agenda I vehemently oppose (Law & Order: CI), I stop watching, let them know why, and possibly let their regular advertisers in on it as well. Because by watching, I give them more power to fight their side.
Girl Scouts is making bad decisions, and they need to be told to cut it out. That doesn’t mean they need to be immediately written off by their supporters. They should be given the chance to reconsider and change their direction.
Bu,t since I’m NOT already a supporter of the Girl Scouts, there’s no reason for me to let my girls participate UNTIL they change.
Plus, there’s lots of alternatives out there. And Girls Scouts (Boy Scouts, too, in many ways) has long been primarily secular in nature (not saying that’s bad, just don’t expect them to be primarily focused on promoting Christian morality).
actually, at least when i was a girl scout, we prayed and did stuff that wouldn’t be considered “secular”. we prayed before we did snacks and at other times too. i think that as the years have passed, they’ve definitely become more secular and more worldly, which is sad, because they used to stand on strong morals.
There are many controversial/hypocritical actions that Christians do or allow. Should this just be added to the list? A honest Christian would follow God’s word, why should this be an exception? Those strongest in their faith should be able to make that decision without question. Supporting abortion is not Christian-like.
i don’t know. i mean, if i had a daughter in girl scouts, i wouldn’t allow her to partake in this mess, but then again, i don’t know if i would just keep her out of it. these days, there are a lot of alternatives to girl scouts, so that may be an option. if i were a mom, i would probably raise awareness of this travesty, take my daughter out of the group, get others to do the same, and then try to change girl scouts. if enough people wrote into the empire council, they might change what they’re doing. so, i guess i wouldn’t allow my daughter to participate, but i WOULD change, or at least try to change, the system so that the problem wouldn’t spiral out of control.
No, I do not think Christian parents should let their daughter participate in Girl Scouts while they support Planned Parenthood. While it is hard to boycott every company/organization that supports Planned Parenthood, I think we have the responsibility to boycott the ones we DO know about. As Bryan stated in his blog post, there are plenty of alternatives to Girl Scouts such as American Heritage Girls that encourage girls to not just grow up to be a well-rounded woman, but a godly woman.
I don’t think that they should allow their daughters to be in Girl Scouts. I was in Girl Scouts when I was younger, and I don’t know if it was just the group that I was with or what, but it just wasn’t as fun as what my brothers got to do in Boy Scouts. I think that there are other smaller problems with Girl Scouts, and now with them being so supportive of PP, there’s no reason to support them. There are other groups that girls can join that they will get a lot out of without their parents having to worry about bad influences.
I agree with Faith! ^
Christian parents have the responsibility to set a godly example for their children. If they allow their daughter to participate in Girl Scouts while knowing that Girl Scouts supports Planned Parenthood, they are then teaching by their example that it is OK to compromise their beliefs. They should seek out other organizations and groups that encourage girls to become godly women.
This is a tough question. I mean, sooner or later whether you want it to happen or not, children are going to learn how ugly the world really is. But, at the same time, I would rather that happen on my watch and not at someone else’s choosing.
So I guess my answer is no.
As a Catholic, a mother, and former Girl Scout, I have such mixed feelings about this issue. As a Girl Scout, I earned two religious awards, both which helped me to grow both in knowledge of the Church teachings as well as my own faith. Truly, my work on those awards helped to shape who I am today. Yet, the association with PP sickens me.
I think that as long as GS money isn’t going toward PP, I could allow my daughter (should I have one some day) to be involved with GS. However, that would still depend greatly on the troop and the leader. Likewise, I think it would be an issue to raise with the older girls; by discussing the problem (again, with girls who are in high school at least), perhaps writing letters to the higher ups might fulfill some badge requirement, even if it’s one of those “specific to the troop” ones. I imagine the organization would be more likely to respond to complaints from within than from outside.
So, short answer, “yes, with guidance and conditions.”
This question causes to reevaluate the resources we are pull from when training up and raising our children. I was in the Girl Scouts as a little girl and my heart is sad to think that I might not be able to give my future daughter(s) that same, happy experience.
However, Is the Girl Scouts the only resource for life skills, morality, and self confidence development? Our local churches often offer similar programs and this might be a safer environment. I believe it’s important to know who is influencing our children and partnering with the church raises the chances of having people with common, biblical viewpoints pouring into them.
My husband and I attend an Assemblies of God church that is very active in their Royal Rangers & Missionettes programs. I battle with the thought of wanting my family to be active and influential in the community – however, I don’t believe I can subject my children to such teaching that only ends up in a downward, slippery slope. At the end of the day, I am much more confident in our Missionettes program and leaders.
All in all, I would say no – don’t do it. We can’t hold on to the nostalgia of days gone by and sacrifice Christ-centered living. We will be doing everything we can to raise our children with morality that will glorify God
Absolutely not.
I could not, in good faith, let my child participate in an organization with such a gruesome hidden agenda. Even aside from its ties to Planned Parenthood, I’ve noticed that groups like the Girl Scouts tend to foster catty and clique-oriented behavior. There are plenty of intellectually stimulating activities available to children in the community that do NOT support the abortion industry.
No way, that totally goes against everything Girl Scouts used to be for.
So who won? I didn’t see anybody posted as the winner. Or do they just get an e-mail saying “You won!”
they usually send an email saying…like, an email to everyone. idk. bryan is in europe, so idk who’s doing this while he’s gone