Head Of Christian Boy Scouts Alternative Is "Horrified" By "Seig Heil" Salute Photo

The head of the Christian scouting group that formed in reaction to the lifting of the ban on openly gay Boy Scouts says he wants news outlets to take down a photo which he says mischaracterizes the salute performed at their meetings.

"We were horrified when we saw the photo in question on the MSN site and immediately investigated the situation," Stemberger said in a statement Monday. "This is what we learned... Many Boy Scout Troops have a tradition of ending their troop meetings with the boys gathering in a circle and then singing the song 'Taps' which is a slow ceremonial piece of music played or sung at the end of the day. The Boy Scouts that do this closing ceremony start singing the song with their hands raised straight into the air with the scout sign and then gradually lower their hands till they get to the end of the song when hands are at their side. This longstanding Boy Scout tradition was being followed with this Texas Trail Life troop using the Trail Life sign." "Unfortunately the reporter (either intentionally or unintentionally) caught this photograph at the exact angle which makes their arms look like they are in some kind of a stationary mid-air salute-- which they are not. We have contacted the Associated Press and demanded that they remove the photo from their archives. Unfortunately, they have not complied with our demand to date," said Stemberger.

Trail Life USA only admits boys who "do not promote sexual immorality" and who are "biologically male." (Tipped by JMG reader Hunter)