The Best Kind of Citizen

“The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God.” A visit to Arlington National Cemetery just outside of Washington D.C. reminds us that our freedom comes at a cost. Here the ‘best kind of citizen’ lays beneath a spare white headstone marked with a symbol signifying their religious affiliation. The symbol pictured here signifies that the person beneath it was an atheist. That they have been laid to rest in Arlington signifies that they are undoubtedly ‘the best kind of citizen’; ones that dedicated their service to our country; many having given their lives in the bargain.

Arlington is a memorial to an ideal of service and citizenship free of discrimination and narrow-mindedness. The BSA has every right to hold and voice their opinion of good citizenship; to uphold membership standards consistent with these opinions however regrettable or disrespectful they may be. Why not broaden our organizational perspective to the undeniable reality good citizenship springs from an internal motivation that is not necessarily inspired by religious belief ? Why prohibit atheists from membership in the Boy Scouts of America? The free expression of religion, including the expression of no religion, is a central tenant of a free society, a core American value. To teach our youth otherwise is irresponsible and unpatriotic.