A couple days after a troop of local Boy Scouts learned they would no longer be allowed to use the facilities at Anchorage Baptist Temple, other community and religious leaders are opening their doors.
The usually scheduled meeting of Troop 1316, held on ABT's campus, will instead be used as an opportunity for parents to discuss how to proceed since Pastor Jerry Prevo decided to end the church's relationship with the scouts.
Prevo cited the Boy Scouts of America's decision to allow gay members as the reason.
Boy Scouts of America has "'tucked and ran' from continuing to take the stand they have taken from their inception and change back and then we will too," the pastor wrote. "I understand many churches are dropping their support. Maybe this will get their attention."
Prevo did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Some churches around the country have made similar moves, but according to local religious and scout leaders, ABT is the first in Alaska.
Several organizations are offering support to Troop 1316, according to Rev. Peter Perry, who is pastor of Saint John United Methodist Church. Perry is also a member of Christians for Equality, a group that promotes inclusion of the LGBT community in churches.
Perry said Congregation Beth Sholom, Jewel Lake (Presbyterian and United Methodist) Parish, Turnagain United Methodist Church and Anchor Park United Methodist Church are offering their facilities. Other organizations have also been in contact, he said.
When Channel 2 initially reported ABT's decision, Perry said any question related to homosexuality divides many congregations because it forces many Christians to confront an issue they find unfamiliar, uncomfortable and
"It's controversial, it's impacted a lot of churches," Perry said. "But it's not unique to scouting. As we know, it's part of our larger culture, and there's controversy around that in every walk of life. In the Christian community, you're going to have voices on both sides of the issue."
There was an outpouring of comments representing many views after Channel 2 shared the story on Facebook.
"I guess their Jesus only loves certain people," said Pam Jenny of Palmer.
Joy Sullivan of Nikiski, though, said that misses the point.
"If an organization that uses your facilities teaches against your beliefs, it is only appropriate," she said. "Jesus himself turned the tables over when the temple was used for gambling. God is love, not acceptance."
Schneider, whose 12-year-old son was days away from losing the group he had known for eight years, said the bottom line is that the issue should be settled by adults and kept away from scouts.
"The noise of this issue has overcome what scouting is," he said. "Scouting is a program to help young men become grown men, to focus the energy of young men into leadership abilities."