Southern Baptists Consider Dropping Boy Scouts

Because of gay

Some conservatives predicted an exodus of families and church sponsors from the Boy Scouts last month after Scouting leaders announced plans to lift a longstanding ban on gay Scouts.

So far, an exodus from Scouting has yet to materialize but that could change this week as leaders of the powerful Southern Baptist Convention consider a proposal to abandon the Boy Scouts in favor of a more Christian youth group, such as the convention's Royal Ambassadors.

Deron Smith, a spokesman for the Boy Scouts of America, which is based outside Dallas, said some groups stopped sponsoring troops after last month's announcement, "but most are continuing with the program." He could not say how many have left.