I have friends and neighbors that have sons in the Boy Scouts. They are always trying to get me (the easiest touch for a donation) to donate or buy something for the Boy Scouts. I always refuse and they can't understand why I won't give to the Boy Scouts.
The problem for me is that the Boy Scouts of America is a religious group that brainwashes kids. The Boy Scouts call it "Values Training", and "Mentoring", but the values they espouse are very politically charged conservative religious idealism. They promote the NRA and agendas such as "Pro-Life".
The Boy Scouts are nothing more than a youth programming organization not unlike the Hitler Youth organizations.
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In the UK it seems to vary from troop to troop. I know a humanis/atheist who is a scout leader.
From:
http://members.scouts.org.uk/fundamentals/?pageid=2944
This new additional alternative Promise will now add to the suite of alternative versions to ensure we are inclusive to adults who are humanist or have no affirmed faith who wish to volunteer for Scouting, and young people who are humanist or with no affirmed faith who wish to join Scouting.
Unquote.
We've got god out of the "Scout's Promise". Now we just have to get the Queen out!
We would be setting children a better example by not putting words into children's mouths like that.
Sir Humphrey Appleby: The Queen is inseparable from the Church of England.
Jim Hacker: And what about God?
Sir Humphrey Appleby: I think he is what is called an optional extra.
Yes Prime Minister is one of my favourite comedies...
http://www.veoh.com/watch/v21040454DwcnkhBy
Probably doesn't travel well though, like a lot of British comedy. Funny caricatures though. Well observed and informative too.
I think are combining this thread with the 'Father Ted' thread. It makes it rather confusing.
It's funny that a organization that does not allow atheist members would ask atheists for donations. Well I guess money is money...
They dont allow atheists? The boyscouts discriminate now? Damn conservatives..
Always have, at least as far as I know (they have at least done it for decades).
found this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America_membership_controver...
Wow thanks, thats beyond disturbing.. At a young age children are taught to discriminate against non-believers..
Each child is usually compelled to take "the promise" and often the alternative wording is only used if it is requested. Some scouters like to treat non-believers as second-class citizens or tolerated guests. One wrote to me "why don't you people form your own groups?" So people do....
https://www.woodcraft.org.uk/
However, a clear majority agree that children should play and be educated together and not divided by the opinions of their parents on the subject of religion.
Like any superstition, religion is divisive and causes endless trouble but most people usually just try to ignore it. We don't teach our children to "obey the promise". We teach them that sometimes it's best to just accommodate people's prejudices and rub-along together "nicely". So they say babble the words and get on with life.
In Sweden there are five different scout organizations.
None of them seem to be divided into boys and girls, but are instead mixed. (They are not called "Boy scouts" but instead just "The scouts".)
Three are religiously affiliated. The other two are secular and politically unaffiliated (one of those is tied to an organization that promotes a drug free life).
I'm pleased to say that the by far biggest of them is unaffiliated with religion.