Religion in Scouting

Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method which has been practiced differently and given different interpretations over the years.

In contrast to the Christian-only Boys' Brigade which was started two decades earlier, Robert Baden-Powell founded the Scout movement as a youth organisation which was independent of any single faith or religion, yet still acknowledged that spirituality and a belief in a higher power were key to the development of young people.

Scouting organisations are free to interpret the method as laid down by the founder. As the modern world has become more secular and materialistic, and as many societies have become more religiously diverse, this has caused misunderstandings and controversies in some of the national member organisations.

Founder's views

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 United Kingdom:

We aim for the practice of Christianity in their everyday life and dealings, and not merely the profession of theology on Sundays…

Indeed, the Scout Promise requires an incoming member to fulfil their "duty to God".

However, the founder's position moved shortly after the Scout movement began to grow rapidly around the world, and his writings and speeches allowed for all religions. He did continue to emphasise that God was a part of a Scout's life:

When asked where religion came into Scouting and Guiding, Baden-Powell replied, It does not come in at all. It is already there. It is a fundamental factor underlying Scouting and Guiding.

Though we hold no brief for any one form of belief over another, we see a way to helping all by carrying the same principle into practice as is now being employed in other branches of education…

Current interpretations

Religion and spirituality is still a key part of the Scouting method.

For instance, the current Religious Policy of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom states that:

"All Members of the Movement are encouraged to:

• make every effort to progress in the understanding and observance of the Promise to do their best to do their duty to God;
  
• belong to some religious body;
  
• carry into daily practice what they profess."

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) stated the following in the 21st World Conference in 1972:

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.

The points of view concerning religion of the scouting organisations in a country are generally the same as the rest of that country or have the same diversity. Many Scout/Guide groups are supported by local religious bodies, including Christian, Islamic, Jewish and Sikh communities. These local groups often have a more strict interpretation on the original writings of Baden-Powell concerning religion. However, since they often belong to national organisations that are not of a specific religion, these religious-based groups are usually open to adherents of other religions.

Additionally, some national organisations are aimed at the adherents of a specific religion, but there often are other Scouting/Guiding organisations within that country that are more open or have a more neutral point of view concerning religion.

The Scout Promise is easily adapted to accommodate these, and other, faiths. For example, in its section on the Girl Scout Promise and Law, the website of the Girl Scouts of the USA includes a note that:

The word "God" [in the Promise] can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs. When reciting the Girl Scout Promise, it is okay to replace the word "God" with whatever word your spiritual beliefs dictate.

One of the Belgium organisations, FOS Open Scouting, replaced "duty to God" with "loyal to a higher ideal" in their promise

Both the BSA and the GSUSA celebrate Scout Sunday and Scout Sabbath in February (BSA) and March (GSUSA).

Religious Emblems Programs

Main article: Religious Emblems Programs

Some religious organisations have religious emblems for members of various youth organizations in the United States. These programs are not run by the youth groups themselves, but by the sponsoring organisations. There are more than thirty different religious emblems, each representing a different faith.

Controversies

The Boy Scouts of America have come under strong criticisms over the past years due to their religious policy and stance against agnostics and atheists:

"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."

In particular, the BSA has come into conflict with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which opposes such policies as a matter of principle ("Respect and acceptance of others regardless of their religion or sexual orientation" being a central tenet of the Unitarian-Universalist faith). As a result of this conflict, the Boy Scouts of America withdrew its recognition of the UUA religious emblems program in 1998.

On the other hand, the Scout Association of the United Kingdom is much more flexible in their interpretation of the writings of Baden-Powell and has so far avoided the controversies facing its brother organisation in America. While its leaders are expected to subscribe to a recognised faith and "by their personal example to implement the Association's religious policy" and "the avowed absence of religious belief is a bar to appointment to a Leadership position", the final decision on whether a particular adult is accepted as a leader is left with the District Commissioner (or the County or National Commissioner, as appropriate). 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 confidential, these reports are difficult to verify.

Non-aligned Scouting organizations

Main article: Scouting in breakaway and non-aligned organisations

Approaches toward religion vary considerably in 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" . On the other hand, the American Heritage Girls are explicitly Christian and require all adult leaders to adhere to a specific Statement of Faith. Indeed, the AHG was founded by parents who did not agree with the Girl Scouts' decision to allow other words to be substituted for "God" in the Promise (see above) and the GSUSA's official lack of membership policies based on sexual preference .

See also

• Scout prayer
• Scouting in breakaway and non-aligned organisations

External links

• Spiritual Dimension - WOSM
• Scouting, and Spiritual Development - WOSM
• Exploring Spirituality - Introduction & Modules 1-4 - 5-9 - 10 - WAGGGS
• Religious Directory - UISGE-FSE