Rant alert - religion and scouts

[isihac]

The boy's teacher was handing out leaflets yesterday about the local Beaver (junior Scouts) group. While this isn't applicable for his class yet as the lowest age you can join is 6, he seemed excited by the idea so I thought I'd check if things had moved on since I was a young Brownie

Comments

[knell]

Yep, I think you're overreacting. Look up the concept of dharma, which is one that's specifically mentioned there, and it's also "this can be called", rather than "this must be".

Look for your own gods, rather than a God.

[knell]

... and frankly, not being in the Scouts because religion gets mentioned occasionally is kind of in cutting-off-nose-to-spite-face territory. Are modern atheists so afraid in their religious beliefs that they won't allow their kids to be exposed to others? *g,d,r*

[isihac]

Arf! No, the problem is J being the type of highly literal and enquiring boy that complains loudly when you say 'in a minute' and the resulting pause isn't exactly 60 seconds, and then initiates a debate on the classification of time periods. Having to say that he promises to love God...

And it's not occasionally, IIRC you have to recite the promise at least once every meeting.

[megabitch]

Oh, you have one of those as well? I am amazed that D has made it to 16

[clanwilliam]

Incidentally, they are discriminating on religious belief even among those who have one - there are various branches of faith that may not directly reference God, after all.

Have you considered contacting them about it?

[isihac]

Was going to contact them, but I am a big girly wuss who wanted to make sure she was reading things correctly and wasn't totally insane first. Am also not as eloquent as most of my friends on matters such as this.

[flexor]

And to answer Isihac's question... mwwhuhdunno. Yes, useful

[isihac]

When the time comes I will be speaking to the troop leader to see how things work at her group, but I'm still annoyed at what their website says.

You know J, you can imagine the debate that will ensue *every* *time* if he has to make that promise.

[vatine]

No, I dno't think you're over-recating. I have, once or twice, considered becoming involved in scouting (again) and have basically given that up as a bad idea, as the base premise is that it is a religious organisation incompatible with my views on the subject matter and I will not lie about it.

[kelvix]

I think it is a religious reference - akin to the religion that I understand freemasons are required to have - an acknowledgment of a higher, godlike being who has the ultimate authority over your soul.

Of course, many people just mumble this sort of thing and give no thought to what they are actually saying. It is the way things were done when I was at school and at Brownies - the belief of things came far later for me when I suddenly understood it meant more. For lots of people, there is no more to it than brushing your teeth - a habitual ritual.

It might offend the adult atheist, but not the child, who might just accept it as being a part of his life - if he *does* question what this prayer thing is all about, then perhaps that might be a time to discuss faith, belief, etc with him - in the sort of way that allows him to discover for himself?

It *might* work, but it might not. No harm in more socialising for him - and if it doesn't work, then there are other things to try...

[isihac]

That's the plan, but am still not happy with what their website says.