Idaho church drops Boy Scouts over decision on gay youth

Candlelight Christian Fellowship in Coeur d’Alene has decided to end its charter of Boy Scouts Troop 291 because of the recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to end the organization’s membership ban on gay youth. In a statement released Monday by Associate Pastor Buck Storm, the church said, “BSA’s vote to mandate the acceptance of the homosexual agenda has unfortunately put many charter organizations in a difficult position. Candlelight Christian Fellowship is a Bible-believing Christian church, and as such we obviously can’t link arms with the Scouts on this path they’ve chosen to follow.” The church said it loves everyone in the community without bias and welcomes all. “That being said, it’s important that we retain the freedom to follow God’s word as it’s written, and without a differing moral base being dictated to us,” the statement reads. The church also said the families of troop members agree with its stand. “We love these boys, and all the boys of our community, and look forward to exploring with them an alternate outdoor program that will maintain the original intent of the Scout oath.” A pastor at Coeur d’Alene Bible Church, which charters Troop 211, said last week that the leaders of that troop are leaning toward not renewing their charter, “and we stand behind that decision.” Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger has said he is considering dropping his agency’s charter of Troop 911 for similar reasons.