Scouting and Religion

[Fenriz]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/01/31/nscout131.xml

do you think Scouts should have to change their oath to include those who don't believe in a god? I personally made this promise a long time ago, and I have never believed in the existence of a god.

[Croc'n'loz]

what's the current oath's wording Fez? It includes helping old ladies across roads and always being prepared doesn't it? Or is that the Junior Woodchucks?

[Fenriz]

"Be prepared" is the Scout moto, the promise is:

On my honour,
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law.

which I have to admit I do actually know by heart...

helping old ladies probably comes under the helping other people bit :P

[Croc'n'loz]

In Oz when you are 18 you can be called up for jury duty, it is based on the electoral rolls and is randomly chosen. So I got called up bout 2 years ago and tried for exemption on study grounds but had to go in, and, when (if) you are chosen to sit as part of a jury, you have the option of making an oath with your hand on the bible, or just making a statement without your hand on the bible

Same logic should apply do you think?

[Fenriz]

possibly, originally the group was officially Christian, then it accepted Muslims, as they to can sear an oath to their God, I think many scouts aren't religious, so maybe the promise should be changed...