Duty to God (Scout Oath): Difference between revisions

From ScoutWiki, For Everyone, Everywhere involved with Scouting and Guiding...
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(→‎Article Objective: Quote References)
(→‎References: See also links)
Line 115: Line 115:
== Duty to God Instruction ==
== Duty to God Instruction ==
When and how do scouts learn about the meaning of Duty to God.
When and how do scouts learn about the meaning of Duty to God.
== External Links ==
* [https://slideplayer.com/slide/12301787/ Emphasizing Duty to God in Scouting] - Slide show from the [[College of Commissioner Science]].


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 22:02, 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. Yet it can be a very controversial topic because their thousands of religious movements and traditions around the world, and many thousands more of families that practice their own religious traditions.

Many religious traditions are of personal or sacred nature, but because they can vary quite dramatically, this topic can become quite controversial.

"The World Movement of Scouting is in a very unique position to help the different peoples and cultures of the world find common ground from among their best traditions and beliefs. By this Scouting can help promote better world citizenship and world peace." [1]

Show Scout Spirit

A scout is expected to at all times, and in all places to show Scout spirit by living the principles of the Scout Promise and Scout Law. Many of these principles are closely connected with doing your Duty to God.

It should be clear to everyone that this is not a requirement that every scout lives the Law of God with exactness to your own religious beliefs. Instead this should be encouragement for every one to seriously study, pray and ponder about the meaning of life and what does religious mean to you and how can appropriate religious practices make you a better person.

One very important reason for these things is to help every young person learn the difference between right and wrong and why that should be an important part of your moral compass for the future. Remember also that just because everyone around you engage in activities that you know are wrong still does not make it right because you understand things from a greater, deeper perspective.

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?
  • How has living the Scout Oath or Promise made you a better person?
  • How role will living the Scout Oath and Scout Law play in your future?
  • What principles guide you in being to able to determine the difference between right and wrong?
  • Everyone around you participates in an activity that you know is wrong, would you join them or abstain?
  • What are actions and consequences?


Duty-to-God.png

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). [2] 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),[3] 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.

External Links


References

  1. [Original statement from article author, Bryce R Hall, 2018, posted here on 01-Sept-2018]
  2. "WOSM Constitution and By-Laws". World Scout Bureau. July 1983, April 2000. http://www.scout.org/en/content/download/3271/30808/file/WOSM_constitution_EN.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-10. 
  3. "WAGGGS Constitution and Bye-Laws". WAGGGS World Bureau. December 1936, June 2005. http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/1109/1/1ConstitutionbookletEnglish.pdf. Retrieved 2007-03-10.