Blog - Wednesday, October 27, 2010 19:55 - 2 Comments

Scout Promise

I my younger years I was a boy scout.  I learnt how to tie knots, paddle down rivers, pitch a tent, and perform all manner of weird ceremonies.  30 years later wine, time, and other indulgences have erased many details, but I was recently reminded of the religious aspect to Scout life.  The American Scouts officially exclude homosexuals and atheists from membership. In the United Kingdom atheist are excluded, while those sneaky Canadians bypassed the issue by redefining “duty to god” to mean “adherence to spiritual principle”.

Reading their web site, you might think the American Boy Scouts are fiercely  proud of their backwards bigotry.  Take this paragraph for example:

“Boy Scouts of America believes that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. Accordingly, youth members and adult volunteer leaders of Boy Scouts of America obligate themselves to do their duty to God and be reverent as embodied in the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Leaders also must subscribe to the Declaration of Religious Principle. Because of its views concerning the duty to God, Boy Scouts of America believes that an atheist or agnostic is not an appropriate role model of the Scout Oath and Law for adolescent boys. Because of Scouting’s methods and beliefs, Scouting does not accept atheists and agnostics as members or adult volunteer leaders.”

Later on the same page, they state their view clearly and succinctly:

“… the Boy Scouts of America will not employ atheists, agnostics, known or avowed homosexuals…”

The Australian Scouts do not have the same blatant and intense discrimination against those who do not share their superstition?  Not from my experience, however I do recall various pledges to God and Queen.  This is confirmed on page 12 of their 2010 annual report:

“There are two versions of the Scout Promise. Individuals taking the Promise may choose to use either of the Promises.

On my honour I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to my God
And to Australia
To help other people and
To live by the Scout Law.”

or,

“On my honour I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to my God
And to the Queen of Australia
To help other people and
To live by the Scout Law.”

Neither, thanks very much.

Are there any organisations like the Scouts without the religious bigotry or homophobia?