Letter of the Day: Breaking barriers

<p><b>Breaking barriers</b></p><p>EDITOR: I am gratified to see that the Boy Scouts of America is finally considering admission of gays. That leaves only one other area of discrimination by the BSA that will persist — religious. Unequivocal belief in God is required.</p><p>I was declared morally unfit by the BSA at the age of 13. This occurred at the regional council's Eagle Scout board of review, where I was deemed to be “irreverent” for being an agnostic Unitarian. I was also faulted for being unaware that “the Jews killed Christ.” This happened more than 50 years ago, but I'll never forget the dominant bigot's name or the ride home that night with my father, my scoutmaster and two other candidates who had passed. After discussions with my minister and others, the council re-convened a board of review a few months later, and religion was never brought up. Nor was it an issue when I received the Silver Award as a science Explorer Scout.</p><p>My parents and my religion taught me to respect other people, whatever their religious beliefs, sex, race, origin, etc. It seems the BSA has yet to get that message. It eventually will, but probably not in my lifetime.</p><p>RON CARUSO</p><p>Cloverdale</p>