Problems with the Girls Scouts (GSUSA)

I am so happy to be a Little Flowers Girls’ Club leader!  Little Flowers is a wonderful, Catholic alternative to the Girl Scouts.  My son is a Cub Scout and belongs to a wonderful, authentically Catholic pack.  However, the Girl Scouts are quite a different organization than the Boy Scouts.

The Girl Scouts (GSUSA) is an extremely liberal, feminist group with strong positions on sexuality, contraception, abortion, and other radical, left-wing ideologies.  (Check out:  www.girlscoutswhynot.com  or  www.honestgirlscouts.com or http://www.speaknowgirlscouts.com).

The Girl Scouts openly support Planned Parenthood. In fact, on an episode of The Today Show, Kathy Cloniger, CEO of GSUSA, admits the partnership with Planned Parenthood in this video.

The Washington Times also wrote a great article about the types of sexual literature passed out at various GSUSA meetings.

A great compilation of all the evidence of GSUSA’s connection with Planned Parenthood can be found at Lifenews’s website.

In fact, the relationship between the Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood is so prominent that many Catholic bishops have felt the need to offer guidance to their flock.

Recently, a young high school girl wrote a letter to her bishop, explaining many of the offensive positions of the GSUSA.    She maintains that GSUSA is so contrary to everything that the Catholic Church teaches, that the Church needs to pull all support from the GSUSA.  Her letter is compelling and well-written, and has begun a firestorm of discussion on the topic.  Many groups are looking to the Little Flowers as an alternative to GSUSA.  I am so excited about this!

I was so impressed with the girl’s letter that it is copied below.  I hope many people will read it.  I have deleted her personal information, but otherwise her letter remains intact.  Enjoy!

—————————————————————————————–

From: SV

Subject: Betrayal of the Catholic Church from a Teenager’s Perspective

My name is SV. I am a high school freshman from XXXXXX. I am writing to express my deep trepidation over some new information that has come to light with regard to Girl Scouts USA and their betrayal of the Catholic Church. I have been involved in Girl Scouts since 2002, when I was in first grade, but I found it necessary to withdraw from the organization in February 2010 due to information that I discovered. I am concerned about the large number of Catholic parishes that are involved in this pro-abortion organization, and I would like to share with you some of the most newest and most pressing issues.

Most of the recent concerns I have are over the new material that Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA) has published. The most flagrantly offensive item (especially to the Catholic Church) is a play that was featured in Journeys, material for Junior Girl Scouts. GSUSA honored the playwright, Josefina Lopez, and the play, Simply Maria. (A copy of this page is included as an attachment) This play, which I have included excerpts from at the close of this email, ridicules the Catholic Church, childbirth, motherhood, homemaking and marriage. It is the complete opposite of what I am taught in my Lifeteen program about chastity, respecting one’s body, and putting God first.

Another highlight from GSUSA’s new printed material is the honoring of Carol Jenkins, current President of Women’s Media Center, in the Cadette Media Book. (A copy of this page is included as an attachment) The GSUSA material refers readers directly to http://www.womensmediacenter.com. “The Women’s Media Center was founded in 2005 as a non-profit progressive women’s media organization by writers/activists Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem.” This is an ultra-feminist liberal media site. It lists Planned Parenthood, NARAL, The Abortion Access Project and other pro-choice groups as partners, and contains live links to each of their sites. (http://womensmediacenter.com/index.php/about-wmc/partners.html)

Though GSUSA and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) have claimed that they have no position on abortion, this statement by members that attended the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) hosted by the United Nations Population Fund Committee leads me to think otherwise:

“ We demand access to comprehensive sexuality information, services and supplies for all young people. We need it today – and today needed to be yesterday.

The young people from more than 20 countries and every continent collectively demand their sexual and reproductive rights:

All young people must have access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception and emergency contraception, in order to avoid unintended pregnancies.

Accessible, affordable and safe abortions should be made part of the minimum packages of sexual and reproductive health services. ”

This statement is posted on WAGGGS’ website.   
http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/CSW54/Day6

If they did not support this statement, why would they put it on their website?

It has disheartened me that I, a 15-year-old girl, seem to care more about this issue than some adults, including some of the parish staff. Looking at everything, it makes me sick to think that I was once a part of this organization. It also sickens me that some people are choosing to ignore this. If we, as Catholics, don’t take a stand on this issue, who will?

I am very confused and saddened by this situation. My family and I are committed to communicating this information to each Bishop, Youth Director, and Scouting Committee Chaplain/Chair of every Diocese in America. Would you please consider getting back to me to tell me how we can work toward fixing this problem within our Church? Or, if this is not a major issue, could you please help me to understand how the Church can support this organization that seems so out of line with its teachings? You can reach me by XXXXXXX.

Sincerely,

SV

Simply Maria.

Satirical comedy. By Josefina Lopez.

Cast: 4m., 6w. This wildly funny play tells the story of Maria, a young, precocious Latina aspiring to be an actor, and her dream of going to college. The story begins in Mexico with Maria’s parents eloping. Maria is born, and shortly after they leave for the U.S. her father, Ricardo, tells Maria that in American, with an education, she can have the American Dream. Maria believes him and studies hard. However, when she tells her parents she wants to go to college, they order her to get married instead. Maria is so upset she cries herself to sleep and has a nightmare in which her American self and her Mexican self wrestle with each other. She gets married and gives birth to six babies. Her wedding dress attacks her and a giant tortilla squashes her. Maria is awakened by her mother’s crying and overhears her confronting Ricardo about his affairs. Maria is shocked by the news and realizes she has to go to college in order to be economically independent of men and have the life that she wants, one that combines the best of her two worlds. Area staging.

Excerpts from Play:

ALL. María

GIRL 1. As a girl you are to be:

GIRL 2. Nice,

GIRL 3.     forgiving,

GIRL 1.            considerate,

GIRL 2.                       obedient,

GIRL 3.                                 gentle,

GIRL 1.                                       hard-working,

GIRL 2.                                                   gracious.

GIRL 3. You are to like:

GIRL 1.               Dolls,

GIRL 2.                  kitchens,

GIRL 3.                          houses,

GIRL 1.                                 cleaning,

GIRL 2.                                      caring for children,

GIRL 3. cooking,

GIRL 1.        laundry,

GIRL 2.            dishes.

GIRL 3. You are not to:

GIRL 1.           Be independent,

GIRL 2.                        enjoy sex,

GIRL 3. but must endure it as your duty to your husband,

GIRL 1.                    and bearing his children.

GIRL 2. Do not shame your society!

GIRL 3. Never,

GIRL 1.    never,

GIRL 2.      never,

ALL.               never!!!

GIRL 1. Your goal is to reproduce.

GIRL 2. And your only purpose in life is to serve three men:

GIRL 3. Your father,

GIRL 1.         your husband,

GIRL 2.                    and your son.

GIRL 3. Your father.

Spotlight on MARIA. MARIA goes to the mirror, GIRL 3 appears in the mirror. MARIA brushes her hair and so does GIRL 3. Then GIRL 3 begins to touch herself in intimate ways, discovering the changes through puberty, while MARIA remains still, not daring to touch herself. Finally, when MARIA does dare to touch herself, CARMEN comes into the room and catches her. Lights quickly come back on.)

CARMEN. María, what were you doing?

MARIA. Nothing.

CARMEN. María, were you.? (Before MARIA can answer.) It’s a sin to do that. Good girls don’t do that.

GIRL 3 (goes behind MARIA. Whispers). Why? Why? Why?

MARIA. Why?

CARMEN (shocked). Because it’s dirty. Sex is dirty.

GIRL 3. Why is it dirty? What makes it dirty?

MARIA (suppressing and ignoring GIRL 3). I’m sorry I didn’t know what I was doing.

CARMEN. María, I’m telling you for your own good. Women should be pure. Men don’t marry women who aren’t unless they have to. Quieren virgenes. It’s best that way, if you save yourself for your own wedding night. Be submissive.

GIRL 3. Why? Why? Why?

MARIA. Yes, but.why?

CARMEN. That’s the way it is. I know it’s not fair, but women will always be different from men. Ni modo. (CARMEN exits to kitchen.)

MARIA & GIRL 3. I don’t understand. Why must a woman be a virgin? Why is sex dirty?

(GIRL 1 appears.)

GIRL 1. María, stop questioning and just accept.

GIRL 3. No, María! God gave you a brain so you can think and question. Use it!

GIRL 1. But it is not up to us to decide what is right and wrong. Your parents know best, María. They love you and do things for you.

GIRL 3. María, they are not always right.

(RICARDO enters, he is in the kitchen.)

RICARDO (interrupting the argument). María! Come and help your mother with dinner right now!

MARIA. All right! (She goes to the kitchen.)

RICARDO. What do you do in there all that time?

MARIA. I was doing my homework.

RICARDO. It takes you all that time? (He has the mail and pulls out a letter from the pile.)

MARIA. Yes, I want my work to be perfect so that I can win an award.

RICARDO. All for an award? How about if I give you a trophy for washing the dishes when you are suppose to, and for doing the laundry right? (He begins to read the letter. MARIA searches for her mail. She finds a letter, reads it, and becomes excited.)

CARMEN (to RICARDO). Who’s the letter from?

RICARDO. My cousin Pedro.

CARMEN. So what are you going to tell him?

RICARDO. The truth. I’m going to tell him his Martita did a pendejadita and is due in three months. (To MARIA.) What do I tell you?

CARMEN. ¡Que verguenza!

RICARDO. ¡Tanto estudio y para nada! It’s such a waste to educate women. How is all that education helping her now that she’s pregnant and on welfare.What’s that smell?! The tortillas are burning!!!

MARIA. ¡¡¡Ayyy!!!

CARMEN. When you get married what is your husband going to say?

MARIA. I’m sorry, I completely forgot.

CARMEN. You can’t cook, you can’t clean.

MARIA. I try to do all the chores you ask.

CARMEN. You can’t do anything right. Not even the tortillas.

MARIA. I really try.

RICARDO. No Mexican man is going to marry a woman who can’t cook.

CARMEN. You’re almost eighteen. (Looks to RICARDO.) I married your father when I was eighteen and I already knew how to do everything.

MARIA. Mamá, Papá, there are more important things. (MARIA holds the letter, but decides not to say anything.) I just don’t care for housework.

MARIA 2. Her husband.(The couple kneels and a wedding lasso is put around them.)

PRIEST. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here, under the Catholic church, in the holy house of God, to unite these two people in holy matrimony. Marriage is sacred. It is the unification of a man and a woman, their love and commitment, forever, and ever, and ever, no matter what! Well, then let’s begin.María, do you accept José Juan Gonzalez García López as your lawfully wedded husband to love cherish, serve, cook for, clean for, sacrifice for, have his children, keep house, love him, even if he beats you, commits adultery, gets drunk, rapes you, lawfully, denies your identity, money, and in return ask for nothing? (MARIA thinks about it and then turns to her parents who mouth to her “I do.”)

MARIA. I do.

PRIEST. Very good. Now, José. Do you accept María García Gonzalez López as your lawfully wedded wife to support?

JOSE. Simón, que yes.

PRIEST. Good. Well, if there is anyone present who is opposed to the union of these two people, speak now, or forever hold your truth. (RICARDO stands up, takes out a gun, and brandishes it to the audience.) Do you have the ring? (JOSE takes out a golden dog collar. The PRIEST gives it his blessings.) 5, 6, 7, 8. By the power vested in me, under the Catholic church, in the holy house of God, I pronounce you man and wife. (The THREE GIRLS take away MARIA’s veil and bouquet. They place the dog collar around MARIA’s neck. Then they get the wedding lasso and tie it around her to make the collar seem and work like a leash. PRIEST speaks to JOSE.) You may pet the bride. (The lasso is given to JOSE. He pulls MARIA, who gets on her hands and knees. They walk down the aisle like dog and master. The wedding march plays, people begin to leave. Lights fade out.)

SCENE TEN

AT RISE: Lights come on. MARIA goes into labor. JOSE walks her to the hospital. MARIA sits down and spreads her legs wide open. She is covered with a white sheet. THREE NURSES run in. A SALESMAN in a plaid jacket also enters.

SALESMAN. Here we have it. Direct from Mexico. The “Reproducing Machine.” You can have one by calling our toll-free number. Get your pencil. It’s 1-800-AJUU-AAAA!

HEAD NURSE. Now, relax. Just breathe like this. (Exemplifies.) Ahh!!! All in good rhythm. Good! Don’t worry, millions of women have Mexican children, especially Mexican women, they have millions. But you’ll get use to it. After your fourth child they’ll just slide right on out.

MARIA. ¡¡Amá!! ¡¡Mamá!!

HEAD NURSE. There’s nothing she can do. She went through it herself. Now, isn’t that pain great? You’re giving birth! Why it’s the most satisfying feeling a woman can feel. Okay, I think it’s coming! Push, push, push! (A baby pops up, flying into the air. It is caught by one of the NURSES. She presents it to the HEAD NURSE.)

HEAD NURSE (disappointed). Oh, it’s a girl.

NURSE 2 (presents the baby to JOSE). Here’s your baby daughter.

JOSE. A daughter? (To MARIA.) How could you do this to me? I’ll have to call her “Sacrifice.”

MARIA (screams again). There’s another one inside; I can feel it!

HEAD NURSE. Nahhh! Well, I’ll check just in case. (The HEAD NURSE peeps inside the sheet.) Well. I’ll be! Yeah, there’s another one. Push! Push! Push! (Another baby pops into the air. The baby falls to the floor and NURSE 3 chases after it and picks it up. She passes it on to NURSE 2. NURSE 2 presents the baby to JOSE.)

NURSE 2. Here’s another lovely daughter.

JOSE. Another daughter?! I’ll have to call her “Abnegation.”

SALESMAN. Here we have it! The world renowned Reproducing machine! (MARIA screams again.)

HEAD NURSE. What is it?

MARIA. There’s another one!

SALESMAN. Ahh, but if you were watching earlier, you saw the other amazing function. It can also be used as a sex object.

HEAD NURSE. Push! Push! Push! (Another baby pops up.)

NURSE 1. I’ll get it! (The baby lands someplace far.)

SALESMAN. Yes siree! You can be the boss. It’s at your disposal and control. Hours of pleasure. And if it ever does go out of control, a kick and a few punches will do the job, and it will be back to normal.

NURSE 2. Here’s another one.

JOSE (to MARIA). Another girl? Why are you doing this to me? I’ll call her “Obligation.”

SALESMAN. It’s made in Mexico. It’s cheap! It cooks! It cleans! (MARIA screams again.)

HEAD NURSE. Push! Push! Push! (Three babies pop up into the air. Some land in the audience. All the NURSES collect them.)

SALESMAN. Its stretch marks can stretch all the way from here to Tijuana. Not even a Japanese model can beat this one.

NURSE 2 (to JOSE). Guess what?

JOSE. No, don’t tell me; another girl?

NURSE 2. Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

JOSE. Three girls?! I’ll call them “Frustration,” “Regret,” and “Disappointment.”

SALESMAN. It delivers up to twenty-one children. It feeds on beans, chile, and lies.

HEAD NURSE. Are there any more babies in that Mexican oven of yours?

MARIA. I don’t think so.

HEAD NURSE. See you in nine months for your next Mexican litter.

SALESMAN. You can have your own reproducing machine! 1-800-AJU- AAAA! (Blackout.)