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Idaho man files sex abuse lawsuit against Scouts, LDS Church

I am from Nampa. I went to school in the 80's, and I know of two instances where leaders, either in church or school were molesting children. In one instance, my 6th grade teacher would feel up our shirts, and make everyone including me feel uncomfortable. When a student reported that she was molested, the school rallied around the teacher, even going so far as to ask students, including myself to write letters on behalf of the teacher. Their enthusiasm was dampened when other past students made similar accusations.

of hearing about this. I've read the details of this case over and over on our local news. This guy and his lawyer are looking for money, no more. The Scouts and LDS church are not responsible for the acts of one guy who ACTED ON HIS OWN. Yes, he used a position of power, but that was him, not the organization. And look at the years they are talking about. He's finally sewing because there's finally a lawyer sleezy enough to take the case.

Can I be the first one to nominate this guy for idiot of the year??? Come on...40 years later???? Give me a break. This should get thrown out immediately.

I've been a failure all my life. Who can I blame so I won't feel responsible?

Boo Hoo...how about Democrats? Republicans? Catholics? Mormons? Whoever. Make sure you try to get a few million out of them while you are doing it.

When the events in question took place over 40 years ago, I worry about memory stimulation on the part of therapists. See Deseret News article today "Controversial therapist put on probation." The woman in this article put ideas into patients' heads -- not the way to help people!
Prosecuting those who did the actual abusing is the right way to deal with these matters. The Scouts & the Church would do all they could to prevent them, but if no one told them then....

One time at Scout Camp my Scout Master said I smelled in front of the other boys. I have been scarred for life. What is it worth in Dollars to make me whole?

it is time for the church and the B.S.A to part ways. Too many people looking for an early retirement and i'm not talking about the "victim", I'm talking about the lawyer.

I was witness to another case in the 2nd Ward where a LDS scout leader and football coach molested children, including an LDS boy. I have to say I was surprised when he still went to church after it was initially reported. He was later convicted. Things have changed. In the past, the heirarchy of the church, like the Catholic Church, was more concerned about reforming the sinner, and less focussed on prosecution and the trauma to the victim. Today, the church guidelines have changed for the better. Any incident is immediately reported to authorities. The truth is, things have changed. Lawsuits like these are useful in that they change organizations to make them responsible for their lack of oversight or failure to take action. It makes them protect victims rather than protect the church. And to respond to what another has said, if I was molested, even 30-40 years ago, I would remember it. We remember traumatic events. However, even I wonder why it has taken so long to come forward.

I think all current and former Boy Scouts, Boy Scout volunteers and members of the LDS church should sue the lawyer for defamation of character since he asserts that all LDS members and BSA volunteers are child abusers. This is clearly an error in fact and is an attempt to diminish my standing in society and impacts my ability to earn a living. 20 million each should do the trick.

Lame for people to always wanna be hatin' on the church. With all due respect to this guy's suffering, one can't honestly expect a church to micromanaged, and therefore be responsible for, the behavior of millions of its members. But, yeah, sure is a fun way to try to make the church look bad. The church and the scouts are a couple of the last shining beacons that really promote goodness and wisdom. A shame people have to be hatin'.

it was so cold in idaho the other day!!!boy oh boy was it cold in idaho the other day!!!it was so cold that i saw a lawyer with his hands in his own pockets!!!!!!

I'm surprised at the defensiveness of these comments. The Boy Scout leader quoted in the article is right: we condemn child abuse no matter when it occurred or how it occurred. The lawsuit may well be dismissed on statute of limitations grounds; I hope it is, at least. But that doesn't mean the plaintiff wasn't sexually abused.

Would you feel differently about this if it was your son being drawn into a sexual relationship with an adult male?

Risk Return
I agree with "Church Member", the risk involved in participating with the scouts outweighs the benefits gained. It is time for the church to part ways. I was a young men's president in Brazil, where the LDS church uses an expanded "Duty to God" program to accomplish the same things that the scouts accomplish. The church doesn't endorse the boyscouts in Brazil because boyscout meetings are held on Sundays. 50 years ago the church needed the credibility provided by the Boy Scouts. These days, an Eagle Scout award doesnt mean much outside of the church anyway. I think it is time for a mutual breakup.

Well, the lemmings are out. What does it take to get the Utah lemmings our from under their rocks and to face facts. Just keep defending the guilty until it is your son or daughter. then write us again

I think we as members hold the upper hand in this. I for one NEVER sent my boys on a camp without their father.

Further more.... If we all pull our boys from the program... the church would have to take a good hard look at their involvement!

The boyscout program does little, if nothing, to prepare our boys for the priesthood, which is its most important roll.

WELCOME TO THE LAST DAYS!!!!

Serious charges. Must be investigated. Thoroughly.

I think its time to re-evaluate the value of the scouting program. It was timely in the 1940's but hasn't kept up with the times. Time to move on and create a program that is appropriate for this century.

The actions of this Scout leader should be condemned, but I don't think we should condemn scouting. The Boy Scout program is good for the boys and young men of the LDS Church. Perhaps abuse was a problem in the past with scouting, but the problem is currently being addressed and corrected. My son just started Cub Scouts and one of his first requirements was to sit down with us (his parents) and discuss ways to prevent child abuse. Such a conversation probably would not have occurred if he were not involved in the Cub Scouts.

Joey, I can't DISSAGREE with you more. Might want to go back to the hand book. The Scouting program is the Church's boy youth program for all US scouts as directed by the Prophet, if run properly, will teach and compliments the priesthood program in all ways. Are you telling me he is wrong! Secondly, the rank of Eagle is still widely recognized. Look at the Military Acadamy's entrance requirements, look at the Tx A&M Football media guide, it lists all players who are Eagle Scouts. Sorry Joey and to/fr as an Eagle Scout and prior SM you are incorrect.

As for the purpose of the article, abuse is wrong, not the program.