35. Religion Beyond the Right

In this article, Frank Bruni talks about how the Boy Scouts decision to ban gay members and leaders is being questioned by other religious groups. Bruni first clears up the common misconception by pointing out how religious does not necessarily mean conservative. He does by mentioning several Christian institutions and and churches who are opposed to the ban not in spite of but because of their religious views. As an example, Bruni mentions Scott Ward, a 48 who is an elder in the Presbyterian Church. Ward says that gays shouldn't be banned from the Boy Scouts exactly because of what Christianity teaches about humanity. He argues that all men, regardless of their shortcomings are equal in the eyes of God, and that the leaders of the Boy Scouts have no right to judge others.

The purpose of the author was to clarify the misconception that Christianity is the same as conservatism and that there are several religious groups who are opposed to the banning of gays in the Boy Scouts. Though it is clear that he opposes the banning of gays, he has, for the most part, an unbiased and reflective tone.