Boy Scout troop kicked from church after transgender policy change

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A Mooresville scout leader said his troop got kicked out of their church meeting site after the Boy Scouts of America changed its policy on transgender members.

"I grew up in the scouting organization,” Scoutmaster Doug Balog said. “I am an Eagle Scout."

Balog said the Boy Scouts and the church are ideal partners.

"This is a good way to reach young children to bring them to God," he said.

He was disappointed that Coddle Creek Applied Reform Presbyterian Church in Mooresville doesn't see it that way.

Balog was a scout leader there for five years and this week, the church eliminated the scout's charter.

No one from the church returned Channel 9’s calls and messages Friday, but the pastor has publicly claimed the Boy Scouts' decision to allow gay and transgender scouts is a sin.

"The church had enough in their view that the Scouts are opening the doors to avenues they do not want to pursue," Balog said.

He said the bigger problem is that more and more churches are cutting ties with the Boy Scouts.

"It's opening the door to churches to make rash decisions that are eliminating a good youth organization that brings God to children out of the equation," Balog said.

He said that Boy Scouts who are lesbian, bisexual, gay or transgender are not the issue for him.

He worries that the opportunity for Boy Scouts to connect with their faith will fade if the trend he sees continues.

"I fear for the scouting organization and the children," he said.

Balog now has to find a new home for his scout troop.

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