The main reason institutions of a religious nature get in trouble usually (not always) has to do with money. Many cases where you hear of churches getting sued and such is because they offer something (a wedding hall or a banquet area) to the "public" and recieve tax-free money in return and in some cases goverment money as well (especially if it's part of the parks & recreations department). When same sex couples want to use those facilities, then suddenly there's a problem. The conflict comes when a church picks and chooses the "public" they wish to serve.
I, as a gay male, personally think the Boy Scouts should be allowed to operate as a private organzation... however they choose... without government or social interference. And I think churches should as well. When churches, come over to our side of the aisle and bite... we will bite back and it seems like we are attacking churches - I totally get that. But me personally... i think churches should operate however they choose.
Now, I will add two things: I personally belive that men and women are equal. there is no difference between them other than their private parts. For such, their "roles" in marriage (if you want to refer to it that way) are interchangable. We see this with many single parents who have to take on the "role" of both mother and father to their child. It's how we adapt to the situation.
The second thing is that the world does change... it does evolve. It was only 110 years ago when the general view of courts said men couldn't beat their women as a form of punishment. Today domestic violence is a criminal offense. Sociologically, things change. So the human race is starting to reach overpopulation and now more and more homosexuals are coming onto the scene. Is that a bad thing? Should a society let us keep running wild and free or will they give us the opporitunity to be tied down with a 'ball and chain'?? LOL.
Part of that social evolution is taking place in a capitalist society... meaning if companies choose to NOT support institutions because of their stand on gays, that's their choice. It's capitalism. The Boy Scouts aren't being punished any more than you punish a child by not giving them candy. But it does suck, and I do understand why people get upset about the issue.
But at no time, do we... as the LGBT community ever want to march into your church and dismantle the things you hold dear. I promise.
-James
Backseatdevil.com