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Religion in Scouting: Difference between revisions
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Scouting organisations are free to interpret the method as laid down by the founder. As the modern world has become more [[secular]] and [[materialism|materialistic]]{{verify source}}, and as many societies have become more religiously [[diversity|diverse]], this has caused misunderstandings and controversies in some of the national member organisations. | Scouting organisations are free to interpret the method as laid down by the founder. As the modern world has become more [[secular]] and [[materialism|materialistic]]{{verify source}}, and as many societies have become more religiously [[diversity|diverse]], this has caused misunderstandings and controversies in some of the national member organisations. | ||
==Founder's views== | == Founder's views == | ||
When creating the Scouting method, Baden-Powell was adamant that there was a place for God within it. | When creating the Scouting method, Baden-Powell was adamant that there was a place for God within it. | ||
In [[Scouting for Boys]], Baden-Powell wrote specifically about Christianity, since he was writing for youth groups in the | In [[Scouting for Boys]], Baden-Powell wrote specifically about Christianity, since he was writing for youth groups in the United Kingdom: | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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Baden-Powell's gravestone bears no cross or other religious symbol. Rather, in addition to the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Badges, it bears a circle with a dot in the centre, the [[trail sign]] for "Going home" / "I have gone home": [[Image:Signe-de-piste_fin-de-piste.jpg|20px|I have gone home]].<ref name = 'B-P`s Grave'>[http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-pix25.htm B-P's Grave in Kenya]</ref> | Baden-Powell's gravestone bears no cross or other religious symbol. Rather, in addition to the Boy Scout and Girl Guide Badges, it bears a circle with a dot in the centre, the [[trail sign]] for "Going home" / "I have gone home": [[Image:Signe-de-piste_fin-de-piste.jpg|20px|I have gone home]].<ref name = 'B-P`s Grave'>[http://www.pinetreeweb.com/bp-pix25.htm B-P's Grave in Kenya]</ref> | ||
==Historical practice== | == Historical practice == | ||
{{stubsection}} | {{stubsection}} | ||
==Current interpretations== | == Current interpretations == | ||
Religion and spirituality is still a key part of the Scouting method. The two major world organizations have slightly different interpretations. | Religion and spirituality is still a key part of the Scouting method. The two major world organizations have slightly different interpretations. | ||
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:The essence of Duty to God is the acknowledgement of the necessity for a search for a faith in God, in a Supreme Being, and the acknowledgement of a force higher than man of the highest Spiritual Principles.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2000 | url = http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/1/1ExpSpirIntroduction.pdf | title = Exploring Spirituality - Resource Material for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | format = {{PDFlink|89KB}} | work = | publisher = World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | accessdate = 2006-12-02}}</ref> | :The essence of Duty to God is the acknowledgement of the necessity for a search for a faith in God, in a Supreme Being, and the acknowledgement of a force higher than man of the highest Spiritual Principles.<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2000 | url = http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/grab/16/1/1ExpSpirIntroduction.pdf | title = Exploring Spirituality - Resource Material for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | format = {{PDFlink|89KB}} | work = | publisher = World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts | accessdate = 2006-12-02}}</ref> | ||
National organizations may further define it. For instance, the current Religious Policy of [[The Scout Association]] of the United Kingdom states that:<br> | National organizations may further define it. For instance, the current Religious Policy of [[The Scout Association]] of the United Kingdom states that:<br /> | ||
:"All Members of the Movement are encouraged to:<br> | :"All Members of the Movement are encouraged to:<br /> | ||
::*make every effort to progress in the understanding and observance of the Promise to do their best to do their duty to God;<br> | ::*make every effort to progress in the understanding and observance of the Promise to do their best to do their duty to God;<br /> | ||
::*belong to some religious body;<br> | ::*belong to some religious body;<br /> | ||
::*carry into daily practice what they profess."<ref name='por_religion'>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/chapter_2.htm | title = The Religious Policy | format = | work = Policy, Organisation and Rules | publisher = The Scout Association | accessdate = 2006-12-04}}</ref> | ::*carry into daily practice what they profess."<ref name='por_religion'>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/chapter_2.htm | title = The Religious Policy | format = | work = Policy, Organisation and Rules | publisher = The Scout Association | accessdate = 2006-12-04}}</ref> | ||
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One of the Belgium organisations, [[FOS Open Scouting]], replaced "duty to God" with "loyal to a higher ideal" in their promise <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2006 | url = http://www.fos.be/html/fos/download/Wet-en-Belofte.pdf | title = Wet en Belofte | format = {{PDFlink|11KB}} | work = | publisher = FOS Open Scouting | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> | One of the Belgium organisations, [[FOS Open Scouting]], replaced "duty to God" with "loyal to a higher ideal" in their promise <ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2006 | url = http://www.fos.be/html/fos/download/Wet-en-Belofte.pdf | title = Wet en Belofte | format = {{PDFlink|11KB}} | work = | publisher = FOS Open Scouting | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> | ||
==Membership requirements and principles== | == Membership requirements and principles == | ||
"Duty to God" is a [[Scout method|principle of worldwide Scouting]] and WOSM requires its member National Scout Organizations to reference "duty to God" in their Scout Promises (see [[Scout Promise#World Organization of the Scout Movement requirements|WOSM Scout Promise requirements]]). Scouting associations apply this principle to their membership policies in different ways. There are Scouting associations in some countries, such as France and Denmark, that are segregated on the basis of religious belief. | "Duty to God" is a [[Scout method|principle of worldwide Scouting]] and WOSM requires its member National Scout Organizations to reference "duty to God" in their Scout Promises (see [[Scout Promise#World Organization of the Scout Movement requirements|WOSM Scout Promise requirements]]). Scouting associations apply this principle to their membership policies in different ways. There are Scouting associations in some countries, such as France and Denmark, that are segregated on the basis of religious belief. | ||
=== Boy Scouts of America === | === Boy Scouts of America === | ||
{{main|Boy Scouts of America membership controversies}} | {{main|Boy Scouts of America membership controversies}} | ||
The [[Boy Scouts of America]] (BSA) take a hard-line position, excluding atheists and agnostics.<ref name="duty">{{cite web| url=http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|work= BSA Legal Issues |title=Duty to God| publisher = Boy Scouts of America |accessdate=2006-12-03}}</ref> The BSA has come under strong criticism over the past years due to [[Boy Scouts of America membership controversies|their religious policy and stance against agnostics and atheists]]:<br> | The [[Boy Scouts of America]] (BSA) take a hard-line position, excluding atheists and agnostics.<ref name="duty">{{cite web| url=http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|work= BSA Legal Issues |title=Duty to God| publisher = Boy Scouts of America |accessdate=2006-12-03}}</ref> The BSA has come under strong criticism over the past years due to [[Boy Scouts of America membership controversies|their religious policy and stance against agnostics and atheists]]:<br /> | ||
:"The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognising an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, ‘On my honour I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.’ The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favours and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."<ref name="duty">{{cite web| url=http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|work= BSA Legal Issues |title=Duty to God |accessdate=2006-10-22}}</ref> | :"The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognising an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, ‘On my honour I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law.’ The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favours and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members."<ref name="duty">{{cite web| url=http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|work= BSA Legal Issues |title=Duty to God |accessdate=2006-10-22}}</ref> | ||
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=== The Scout Association of the United Kingdom === | === The Scout Association of the United Kingdom === | ||
The [[The Scout Association|Scout Association]] of the | The [[The Scout Association|Scout Association]] of the United Kingdom is flexible in their interpretation of the writings of Baden-Powell and has so far avoided the controversies facing the Boy Scouts of America. While its leaders are expected to subscribe to a recognised faith and "by their personal example to implement the Association's religious policy"<ref name="por_religion_responsibilities">{{cite web|url= http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/2_1.htm|work= Policy Organisation and Rules The Scout Association |title=Rule 2.1: Responsibilities within the Religious Policy |accessdate=2006-12-04}}</ref> and "the avowed absence of religious belief is a bar to appointment to a Leadership position"<ref name="por_key_policies">{{cite web|url= http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/2_2.htm#part_1|work= Policy Organisation and Rules The Scout Association |title=Chapter 2: Key Policies (footnote)|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref>, the final decision on whether a particular adult is accepted as a leader is left with the [[The Scout Association#Organisation|District Commissioner]] (or the County or National Commissioner, as appropriate).<ref name='por_dc_discretion'>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/por/2006/4_30.htm | title = The Procedure For Appointing Adults in the District (rules j, q, t) | format = | work = Policy, Organisation and Rules | publisher = The Scout Association | accessdate = 2006-12-04}}</ref> There are anecdotal reports of District Commissioners using this discretionary authority to allow prospective leaders (including atheists, agnostics, or pagans) into the organisation if they are satisfied that a leader's personal beliefs will not interfere with the spiritual development of the young people in their charge. However, since such decisions are [[confidentiality|confidential]], these reports are difficult to verify. | ||
===Non-aligned Scouting organizations=== | === Non-aligned Scouting organizations === | ||
Approaches toward religion vary considerably in [[Non-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisations|Scouting organizations not aligned with WOSM and WAGGGS]]. For example, the website of [[Camp Fire USA]] states "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity" <ref name='cfusa_inclusive>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/core_values.asp | title = Core Values | format = | work = All About Us | publisher = Camp Fire USA| accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. On the other hand, the [[American Heritage Girls]] are explicitly [[Christian]] and require all adult leaders to adhere to a specific [[creed|Statement of Faith]]<ref name='ahg_sof>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2004 | url = http://www.ahgonline.org/ahg/about/sof.php | title = Statement of Faith| format = | work = About Us | publisher = American Heritage Girls| accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. Indeed, the AHG was founded by parents who did not agree with the [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts']] decision to allow other words to be substituted for "God" in the Promise (see above) and the GSUSA's [[Girl Scouts of the USA#No official stand on sexuality issues|official lack of membership policies based on sexual preference]] <ref name='ahg_ap>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2006 | url = http://www.ppinw.org/pages.php?p=news&id=6 | title = Some Unhappy with Girl Scouts Form New Group| format = | work = | publisher = Associated Press | accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. | Approaches toward religion vary considerably in [[Non-aligned Scouting and Scout-like organisations|Scouting organizations not aligned with WOSM and WAGGGS]]. For example, the website of [[Camp Fire USA]] states "We are inclusive, welcoming children, youth and adults regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity" <ref name='cfusa_inclusive>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2005 | url = http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/core_values.asp | title = Core Values | format = | work = All About Us | publisher = Camp Fire USA| accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. On the other hand, the [[American Heritage Girls]] are explicitly [[Christian]] and require all adult leaders to adhere to a specific [[creed|Statement of Faith]]<ref name='ahg_sof>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2004 | url = http://www.ahgonline.org/ahg/about/sof.php | title = Statement of Faith| format = | work = About Us | publisher = American Heritage Girls| accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. Indeed, the AHG was founded by parents who did not agree with the [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts']] decision to allow other words to be substituted for "God" in the Promise (see above) and the GSUSA's [[Girl Scouts of the USA#No official stand on sexuality issues|official lack of membership policies based on sexual preference]] <ref name='ahg_ap>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2006 | url = http://www.ppinw.org/pages.php?p=news&id=6 | title = Some Unhappy with Girl Scouts Form New Group| format = | work = | publisher = Associated Press | accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>. | ||
{{stubsection}} | {{stubsection}} | ||
==Current Practices== | == Current Practices == | ||
Scout groups handle religious practices in different ways. | Scout groups handle religious practices in different ways. | ||
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Both the BSA and the GSUSA celebrate [[Scout Sunday]] and [[Scout Sabbath]] in [[February]] (BSA)<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=xx&c=ds&terms=sabbath&x=32&y=13 | title = A Scout is Reverent| format = | work = | publisher = BSA| accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> and [[March]] (GSUSA)<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/gs_days/ | title = Girl Scout Days| format = | work = | publisher = GSUSA| accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>. | Both the BSA and the GSUSA celebrate [[Scout Sunday]] and [[Scout Sabbath]] in [[February]] (BSA)<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=xx&c=ds&terms=sabbath&x=32&y=13 | title = A Scout is Reverent| format = | work = | publisher = BSA| accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> and [[March]] (GSUSA)<ref>{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/gs_days/ | title = Girl Scout Days| format = | work = | publisher = GSUSA| accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>. | ||
===Religious Merit Badges=== | === Religious Merit Badges === | ||
Some Scouting organisations have many obligatorily religious merit badges<ref name="badges vie chretienne FSE">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouts-europe.org/grandir/eclaireurs/4-progression/badges/badges-vie-chretienne.shtml | title = badges vie chretienne | format = | work = | publisher = Guides et Scouts d’Europe | accessdate = 2006-12-08}}</ref> or recognise religious programs run by an other organisations, like the [[religious emblems programs]] in the United States, as a way of fulfilling a requirement for a rank. Other Scouting organisations have a single voluntary religious merit badge or none.<ref name="scouts insignes NL">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.nl/static/algemeen/insignes/scouts.html | title = insignes voor de Scouts | format = | work = | publisher = Scouting Nederland | accessdate = 2006-12-08}}</ref> | Some Scouting organisations have many obligatorily religious merit badges<ref name="badges vie chretienne FSE">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouts-europe.org/grandir/eclaireurs/4-progression/badges/badges-vie-chretienne.shtml | title = badges vie chretienne | format = | work = | publisher = Guides et Scouts d’Europe | accessdate = 2006-12-08}}</ref> or recognise religious programs run by an other organisations, like the [[religious emblems programs]] in the United States, as a way of fulfilling a requirement for a rank. Other Scouting organisations have a single voluntary religious merit badge or none.<ref name="scouts insignes NL">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://www.scouting.nl/static/algemeen/insignes/scouts.html | title = insignes voor de Scouts | format = | work = | publisher = Scouting Nederland | accessdate = 2006-12-08}}</ref> | ||
{{stubsection}} | {{stubsection}} | ||
===Practice of national member organizations=== | === Practice of national member organizations === | ||
====Slovenia==== | ==== Slovenia ==== | ||
In [[Slovenia]], ''"Zveza tabornikov Slovenije"'' (literally: Association of campers), co-titled: "National scouting organisation" is a member of WOSM. The guiding principles include plurality, openness to members without prejudice to birth, nationality, religion or belief; provided the member abides by the principles of pacifism, personal freedom, high moral and ethical principles and principles of the international scouting movement. In the oath the reference to God is replaced with "acceptance and development of Spiritual reality". No religious merit badges are in use. | In [[Slovenia]], ''"Zveza tabornikov Slovenije"'' (literally: Association of campers), co-titled: "National scouting organisation" is a member of WOSM. The guiding principles include plurality, openness to members without prejudice to birth, nationality, religion or belief; provided the member abides by the principles of pacifism, personal freedom, high moral and ethical principles and principles of the international scouting movement. In the oath the reference to God is replaced with "acceptance and development of Spiritual reality". No religious merit badges are in use. | ||
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{{stubsection}} | {{stubsection}} | ||
==See also== | == See also == | ||
*[[Scout prayer]] | *[[Scout prayer]] | ||
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*[[Scouting controversy and conflict]] | *[[Scouting controversy and conflict]] | ||
==References== | == References == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
