First Nuns and Girl Scouts, Next Dora the Explorer

By Andrew Rosenthal
New York Times
May 11, 2012

http://takingnote.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/11/first-nuns-and-girl-scouts-next-dora-the-explorer/

The men who run the Catholic Church seem to have a lot of time on their hands.

In April, the Vatican criticized the leadership conference that represents 80 percent of American Catholic nuns for promoting “radical feminist themes.” The Vatican felt the nuns were focusing too much on economic injustice while keeping “silent” on abortion and same-sex marriage. Silly nuns, worrying about poverty instead of trying to break up loving couples.

Meanwhile, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has set its sights on an even bigger offender against piety and morality – the Girl Scouts of America.

According to NPR, the Bishop’s committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth is conducting an inquiry into whether the Girl Scouts have “problematic relationships with other organizations.” NPR says that’s code for Planned Parenthood.

The alleged Planned Parenthood-Girl Scouts connection, call it the axis of feminism, is actually something of a conservative talking point. In February, an Indiana legislator conducted “a small amount of Web-based research” and concluded that the Girl Scouts are a front for Planned Parenthood. He said the Scouts encourage the girls to have sex and to respect unsavory role models who endorse communist and homosexual agendas. He noted disapprovingly that the First Lady is the organization’s honorary president (the First Lady is always the honorary president), and took exception to the fact that a Colorado troop allowed a transgendered child to join up.

It’s true that the Girl Scouts welcomed a transgendered member last year, in contrast with the Boy Scouts, who have pursued a homophobic agenda with great zeal. But, how do I put this? That’s a good thing. And maybe it would be a good thing if the Girl Scouts associated with Planned Parenthood: The health-care organization knows a thing or two about sex education—i.e. how to avoid unwanted pregnancies that may lead to abortion.

That’s irrelevant, though, since the Girl Scouts are not associated with Planned Parenthood.