Duty to God (Scout Oath): Difference between revisions

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'''Duty to God - Living the Scout Promise''' -
'''Duty to God - Living the Scout Promise''' -
This term has multiple usages in the Scouting Movement:
* See '''[[Duty to God]]''' for other scouting references such as Scouting Religious Awards.


* See '''[[Duty to God]]''' for other scouting references such as Scouting Religious Awards.
This article discusses how a scout can do his ''duty to God'' as the requirement to live the principles of the Scout Oath or Promise.


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Revision as of 21:18, 1 September 2018

Duty to God - Living the Scout Promise - This term has multiple usages in the Scouting Movement:

  • See Duty to God for other scouting references such as Scouting Religious Awards.

This article discusses how a scout can do his duty to God as the requirement to live the principles of the Scout Oath or Promise.

NOTE: ARTICLE UNDER CONSTRUCTION : SEPT 2018
This is a major scouting article specific to the article title, and will require a bit of time to write out. Do not post any other edits until it is substantially complete.

Article Objective

Duty to God is an important yet sensitive topic in scouting.


Show Scout Spirit

BSA Eagle Scout Requirement #2

An an example, Requirement #2, for to become an Eagle Scout, makes very specific reference to doing your Duty to God:

"As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references."

Board of Review

During the Board of Review, a young scout will be asked questions about how he fulfilled this requirement. Depending upon his/her faith and beliefs, the scout's answers may vary greatly. A member of the Board should include at least one or more members that share the same faith background as the scout.

Questions may include the following:

  • How do you demonstrate Scout spirit in your daily life?
  • What does Scout spirit mean to you?
  • What does Duty to God mean to you?
  • As a scout what is your most important duty?
  • How do you think other people regard your character?
  • Do you think other people can count you to always do the right thing, even when no one else is watching?
  • What is the difference between right and wrong?
  • Do you respect the religious beliefs of others?
  • What does it mean to be reverent?
  • What does it mean to be obedient?

1st Principle of Scout Promise

The exact wording of the Scout Promise varies slightly by country. To see the exact wording for your Scout Movement refer to the article Scout Promise.

Every scout is required to follow the Scout Promise (AKA: Th Scout Oath) which outlines four key principles or duties -

  1. Duty to God
  2. Duty to Country (or King)
  3. Duty to Fellow Man
  4. Duty to Self (ie obey the Scout Law)

WSOM Constitutional Requirements

Duty to God is a specially defined requirement of the Constitution of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM). [1] In order to accommodate many different religions within Scouting, "God" may refer to a higher power, and is not specifically restricted to the God of the monotheistic religions. The WOSM Constitution explains "Duty to God" as "Adherence to spiritual principles, loyalty to the religion that expresses them and acceptance of the duties resulting therefrom."

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which is a sister organization to WOSM, has the very same wording in their constitution (Part I, Article 2: Original Promise),[2] and follows similar policies.

Common Core Beliefs

While there are thousands upon thousands of religious movements in the world today, but Scouting's Duty to God promises attempts to accommodate all of them as best as possible. Many of these will define Duty to God in great detail and with some bit of variation. Many scouting families identify with particular movement. Many others may not identify with any form of organized religious movement, but follow their own traditions in the home. However, many religious traditions follow a few key core beliefs that are important to note:

  1. Faith in a Supreme Being -
  2. Scripture Study - learning and understanding the Word of God.
  3. Prayer - Communication with deity
  4. Worship Service - (Examples: Regularly attend weekly religious service or to commemorate a religious holiday)
  5. Charitable Service - (ie: Do a Good Turn Daily - the Scout Motto)
  6. Obey the Law of God - general righteous living
  7. Invite Others to Faith -

It is noted here that some religious movements may have additional important core beliefs all of which you should discover during your practice of Scripture Study which will help you to learn about those.

Faith in a Supreme Being

  • Basis for Moral Living

Scripture Study

It is noted here that some religious movements may have additional important core beliefs all of which you should discover during your practice of Scripture Study which will help you to learn about those.

Prayer

Worship Service

Charitable Service

Obey the Law of God

Invite Others to Faith

Beliefs of the Atheists

Duty to God Instruction

When and how do scouts learn about the meaning of Duty to God.

References