WaPo OpEd

The whole opinion is worth reading, but I'll give some highlights.

THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA (BSA) ... encourages young men to take charge — of themselves and others. And it builds character, the sort that comes from cooperating with, competing against and rendering service to those around you. For these reasons and more, the BSA is an important thread in America’s national fabric, and it is a good thing that the organization boasts more than 100,000 troops across the country ...

After last Thursday, that membership should rise. (Frankly, I think that is an unrealistic expectation as the ban never prevented any boy from joining.) ... less discrimination is still good news ...

(But) BSA’s membership may very well fall ... Religious groups sponsor about 70 percent of troops, and some of their leaders seem ready to rip this priceless civic institution apart. ... they should resist the urge. ...

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a major scouting sponsor, immediately embraced the policy change. ... Because the church’s organization is highly centralized, that means a very large number of troops will remain active.

Not all big religious sponsors have been as encouraging. Catholic clergy have said mixed things ... The National Catholic Committee on Scouting ... said that “we hope to maintain that relationship,” and that that the group will “study” the new policy’s effects before it phases in at the end of this year.

Some Southern Baptist leaders have been more negative. ... Even before the vote, discussions of alternative youth groups to the Boy Scouts popped up in the press, Christian and otherwise.

It’s difficult to imagine another group that could do as much good for as many boys as have the Scouts over many decades.

And from the comments section, responding to a rant about the Constutional rights of Christians having been trampled:

How have any Constitutional rights been trampled? First of all, BSA is not a Christian organization. Second, BSA was not forced to change by the government, they made their own choice to undo the change they made in the 90s. Third, this doesn't stop anyone from living by their moral code. If you believe being gay is a sin, this change does not force you to be gay. Christians are still welcomed in BSA.