Paul Weyrich
Thursday, Mar. 11, 2004

Take, for instance, the Girl Scout Promise. It states, “On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.”

Then there is the statement for the Young Men's Christian Association that asserts the organization's mission is: "To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all."

Recently there were two instances that demonstrated the loss of true faith that pervades many of the people who run these organizations. Replacing that faith is a hollowed out belief in secularism, equivalent to the Easter egg that has a chocolate coating on the outside but no filling.

Many people will think how hard-hearted to call for a boycott of Girl Scout cookies. The fact is that the local Girl Scout organization had recognized a Planned Parenthood executive by presenting her a "woman of distinction award."

Worse, the local Girl Scout organization had endorsed a Planned Parenthood sex education program which admittedly claimed not to officially mention abortion but provided material on masturbation, homosexuality, and illustrations of couples having sex.

A half-day conference called "Nobody's Fool” was held in Waco each July attended by 400 to 700 girls ranging in age from 10 - 14 years old.

Brownie leader Donna Coody disbanded her troop, explaining why in an Associated Press article: "You're telling these girls to raise their fingers up to honor God and country, and yet you're handing out material saying homosexuality is OK."

Another mother, Lisa Aguilar, a self-described non-activist, just a concerned mom, removed her daughter from a local Girl Scout troop. "For us, it's the morality. Where is Girl Scouts going?"

Pro-Life Waco decided enough was enough. Because a local pro-life activist, Dr. John Pisciotta, an economics professor, spoke up through an e-mail and then a sixty second spot on a local Christian radio station, interest and controversy was generated throughout West Texas, giving rise to the boycott and troop withdrawals as well as coverage by local and national newspapers, which only furthered awareness of what was going on and creating added controversy.

He also says an instruction book was provided to girls in grades 7 to 9 that did contain a chapter that listed nine 'good reasons' why women have abortions.

The local Girl Scout Council abandoned its tie to Planned Parenthood. Local mothers have now decided to form their own organization for girls based on a Christian curriculum.

When Dr. Pisciotta appeared on the Today show last week he noted that an abstinence program, McLennan County Collaborative Abstinence Project (McCAP), is available. Rather than associating themselves with this program, the local Girl Scouts chose the objectionable Planned Parenthood program.

This is a great example of concerned local activists taking the initiative to challenge a popular organization that has lost sight of the principles upon which it was founded. The Girls Scouts was designed to help young girls grow to be women of character and faith and patriotism, not underage Playboy bunnies.

But this is not the last that will be heard of the issue. Dr. Pisciotta plans to "rev it up" and he sparred with Kathy Cloninger, the national head of the Girl Scouts on the Today show. Officially, the national Girl Scouts organization has no affiliation with Planned Parenthood, but Kathy Cloninger made clear that if it's okay with local organizations to have alliances with a sex education and abortion advocacy organization, then it's okay with her.

She said local Girl Scout councils "tackle the issues of human sexuality" and that local councils have "relationships" with Planned Parenthood chapters and will continue to do so. She emphasized that Girl Scouts partner with like-minded organizations such as Planned Parenthood to provide "information-based sex education programs" which means programs devoid of any Christian values.

Then there is the battle with the YMCA of Greater St. Paul regarding the decision to rent a camping facility to Planned Parenthood to conduct mother-daughter, father-son sex education workshops that sound similar to those that have been staged in West Texas.

Darla Meyers, a "Catholic-Christian pro-life advocate," was appalled to discover what was going on and is leading a campaign to try to return the local YMCA to its moral bearings. That will be very tough because the local YMCA appears resolute in its decision to rent to the local chapter of the nation's largest provider of abortions. The local YMCA evidently places profit above values. However, the Urban League decided to cancel a father-son retreat to be held at the camp in conjunction with Planned Parenthood.

Darla and her husband, Michael, have a good line that puts everything in the proper perspective: "Don't Let Planned Parenthood Take the 'C' Out Of the YM"C"A."

American Life League's Ed Szymkowiak is dispensing useful advice for pro-life and traditional values activists across the country by urging them to check out what alliances local organizations such as the Girls Scouts and the YMCA may have with organizations such as Planned Parenthood.

He urges campaigns to have such local youth organizations and their national offices pass resolutions establishing clear policies that forbid promotion or alliances with organizations that provide or advocate abortion, graphic sexual education, or contraception.

What's happening in West Texas and in Greater St. Paul is the equivalent of Boston Tea Parties, awakening concerned Christians and Jews throughout the nation to resist the urge to support local Girl Scout councils or YMCAs that are in alliance or do business with Planned Parenthood.

My colleague, Bill Lind, has long discussed the idea of establishing "resistance" to organizations that have lost their bearing. Home schooling was one example in which Christian parents resisted the secular teachings of the public schools.

The resistance displayed in West Texas and Greater St. Paul is another. They are to be welcome and emulated. Finally, Christians and Jews who believe in traditional Judeo-Christian values are starting to realize that they are mad and they really do not have to take it anymore.

Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.