Critics urge Obama to turn down Boy Scout's honorary presidency

Washington, Mar. 4 (ANI): Charging the 'Boy Scouts of America' with discrimination, critics have urged President Barack Obama to reject the title of honorary president of the Scouts.

President Obama, however, says that he wants to be president of all people.

Outraged that the group is allowed to exclude gays and atheists while receiving federal funding, critics now want Obama to turn down the honorary presidency, a designation bestowed on every US president since William Howard Taft in 1910.

"I'm hoping and praying he turns down the honorary presidency. No way should he be involved with a discriminatory group. The best thing that could happen if he said, 'You discriminate too much for me. I can't be your honorary president.' I think that might begin to change a few things," said Howard Menzer, president of Scouting for All.

A Boy Scouts spokesman said Obama, during his meeting with a delegation of the Boy Scouts, has indicated he will accept the title of honorary president.

"We're a voluntary, private organization for families that share our values. While many may disagree with our policies, there's no question that we're part of the common good and have been for 100 years," Deron Smith, a spokesman for BSA said.

In January, the American Humanist Association, along with 18 other non-theistic, atheist and agnostic organizations had sent a letter to Obama urging him to reject the title of honorary president.

"The BSA has elected to set itself apart as a private organization that may discriminate in ways contrary to the laws and practices required of local, state, and federal authorities," the letter said.

In 2000, the Supreme Court had ruled that the Scouts could bar homosexuals from being troop leaders. (ANI)