their own spirituality or the structures and beliefs of any or all religions are simply searching for spiritual understanding. This notion of a search for enlightenment is compatible with belief in most of the world's faiths. It is unacceptable to refuse Membership, or question a young person's suitability to continue to participate fully in a Section, if they express doubts about the meaning of the Promise. On January 1, 2014 the Scout Association allowed an additional revised promise "that can be taken by people with no affirmed faith and humanists". and changed its Equal Opportunities Policy to state that neither youth nor adults should be discriminated against for, among other reasons, "religion or belief (including the absence of belief)". The membership policies of Scouting organizations also vary regarding the inclusion of girls, see Coeducational Scouting. Historical membership controversies There have been membership controversies in the past that have been resolved, such as those related to the exclusion of women from some leadership positions, the breakup of Exploring, and racial segregation. Racial segregation Segregated public schools were declared unconstitutional in 1954 by a unanimous Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, but the Boy Scouts of America included racially segregated units as late as 1974. In 1974, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sued in response to such racial discrimination in Latter-day Saints-affiliated troops. Two 12-year-old black Scouts sought to fill the role of Senior Patrol Leader. Mormon boys enter the lowest level of the priesthood at 12, and the church's rules required that the Senior Patrol Leader be a deacon with the church. Until 1978, Mormon doctrine prohibited people of African descent from being members of the priesthood, and thus black Scouts were prohibited from holding the office of Senior Patrol Leader in Mormon-affiliated troops. The parties ultimately reached settlement. BSA membership size In popular culture In 2001, South Park satirized the controversy over inclusion of gay men as scoutmasters. In that episode- entitled Cripple Fight- Big Gay Al, the local scoutmaster, is beloved by the boys. Under pressure from parents, BSA leaders kick Big Gay Al out of the group and he is replaced by a very regimenting and masculine man who goes on to commit abuses. See also Len Lanzi Religion in Scouting Religious emblems programs (Boy Scouts of America) Scouting controversy and conflict Scouting/USA References External links Sites supportive of the Boy