bkdelong

I read the following snippet in the Pagan Unity Campaign's recent newsletter:

"Since 1912, when Juliette Gordon Lowe started the first Girl Scout troop in the United States, there has been the well-known Girl Scout Promise. While the wording may have changed over the years, the message has remained the same.

“On my honor, I will try
To serve God and my country
To help people at all times
And to live by the Girl Scout Law”
And be a Sister to Every Girlscout

But, what about the God part? Is it mandated that to be a Girl Scout, you have to believe in God? Who determines what God means to each person? According to the Leader’s Digest: The Blue Book of Basic Documents, a publication distributed by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), that issue is addressed. In a subsection titled Flexibility in Wording for Spiritual Beliefs in the Girl Scout Promise, it states: “Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the word ‘God’ in the Girl Scout Promise. It looks to individual members to establish for themselves the nature of their spiritual beliefs. When making the Girl Scout Promise, the individuals may substitute wording appropriate to their own spiritual beliefs for the word ‘God’.” So, according to policy, no matter your spiritual background, you have a place in Girl Scouting.

That seems all well and good, but does it hold up in practice? Does this policy actually work? Actually, for the most part it does. Several pagans have come forth to share their experiences in Girl Scouts, and they have all been positive. They have been open about their spirituality and have been supported by their councils around the country. They were accepted by the troop and parents and went on to have many memorable experiences within the Girl Scouts.

So, next time you are at camp, feel free to say the Goddesses, Gods, Allahs, Buddhas or whoever’s name during the promise. After all, the Girl Scout Law itself says that Girl Scouts should “make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

In some ways, this makes me ashamed to be an Eagle Scout. The "Boy Scout Oath" is very similar:

On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.

and the last word in the Scout Law is Reverent explained in the BSA Factsheet as "A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others." The BSA is inclusive of several religions: Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and of course, various sects of Christianity: Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, Church of Christ, and Presbyterian.

In their religious dates calendar, they mention the sabbaths and holy days of Shinto, Hindu, Baha'i and Sikh. And finally, even more are recognized as Religious Awards.

Unlike the Girl Scouts clear statement of "Girl Scouts of the USA makes no attempt to define or interpret the word ‘God’ in the Girl Scout Promise" the BSA "Manual for Chaplain Aides and Chaplains" states:

"The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which a member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life. Only persons willing to subscribe to this Declaration of Religious Principle and to the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled to certificates of membership."

Not quite exclusionary but also not quite clear. In order to get a "religious award" in scouts, there are several forms that need to be filled out. Jim Conditt of Nacogdoches, TX had made an attempt to start the process but was told in no uncertain terms not to expect any results.

I'll do some more research on the topic and see what I come up with.

[BrainStream] (Permanent link to this entry)