Duty to God (Scout Oath)

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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?


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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

BibleLamp.jpg

A key part of fulfilling your Duty to God is to first learn it. Many religious faiths of a collection of both history and wisdom that are referred to as scripture. Taking a few minutes each day to study the holy books for your faith is an essential duty. An added bonus is the discovery of life-enhancing wisdom.

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [4]

Here are a few sample links of holy scripture that you can access free online:

  1. Christian New Testament (Holy Bible - King James Version) - A history of the ministry of Jesus Christ, his teachings, prophesies and wisdom, as well as the early history of the Christian Church, from nearly 2000 years ago.
  2. Christian Old Testament (Holy Bible - King James Version) - History, prophecies, and wisdom of the early Israelite People, beginning with the writings of the great prophet Moses. Core scripture for Christian, Jewish and other Abrahamic faith groups.
  3. The Book of Psalms - (Holy Bible - King James Version) - Jewish wisdom originating mostly from King David. Highly regarded in many faiths and cultures. (Yes, it is part of the Old Testament)
  4. The Book of Mormon - "Another Testament of Jesus Christ" - Used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ Church and other Mormon/Christian faith based groups as a companion scripture to validate the Holy Bibile.
  5. New Era Magazine - A publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which believes in a church led by modern-day prophets and apostles. They believe that a key ingredient for the true church of God is that it is led by a living prophet. It is his duty to stand as the spokesman of God and his message is considered to by modern day scripture, specific to our lifetime.
  6. Wisdom Literature - Seek Ye out of the best books wisdom and understanding.
    1. 100 Classic Books to Read -
    2. Book 2 -
    3. Book 3 -

Prayer

Worship Service

Charitable Service

Obey the Law of God

Invite Others to Faith

Can a Scout be an Atheist?

Short answer: Yes.

Why? Because in scouting there is no one set standard of religious behavior that you can be applied to everyone.

What is important is that every scout is expected to do his best to study and contemplate what are the important things in life, especially the difference between right and wrong and why that is important. An good question here is how do you know what is right and what is wrong.

None of us have a perfect knowledge of God. Each one is going through a life long process of spiritual development. For some the process is quick and easy, for others the process may be slow, painful, difficult and frustrating.

It is quite possible for a young person to study several different traditions (in addition to that of his family) and then determine that none of them "feels right".

But in the end the purpose of scouting is to help facilitate a learning process to help build an increased understanding of God. Everyone of us will understand the meaning of this differently.

Duty to God Instruction

DutyToGod2.jpg

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. 
  4. St John 5:39