HATS ON
BRUCE C JOHNSON (JOHNSON@MAIL.LOC.GOV)
Thu, 21 Apr 1994 07:39:07 GMT
Matthew Atkins:
I think we're mixing up a couple of different issues. Let
me begin by saying that I believe that, if you're in Scout
uniform, the only hat you should wear is some variety of scouting
hat. I'm not advocating Metalica (whatever that is, just to show
you how out of it I can be) hats or Philadelphia Eagles hats or
whatever. Those aren't scouting hats. Got it? :)
As to wearing the hat in church, there are many traditional
Quakers who, our of respect for Friends who were imprisoned,
tortured, and executed simply because the wouldn't remove their
hats in 17th century England where removal of hats was a way of
showing one's lower station in life than nobility or clergy (to
greatly over-simplify, Quakers don't believe that one person is
more important or nobler for such reasons). Quakers believe that
we are all equal before God, that no place, whether it is called
a church, temple, shrine, or whatever, is more God-like than any
other (we live in a sacremental world), that we have an
obligation to observe our religious duties equally wherever we
are and in whosever presence we are. For me and for many
Friends, we believe that, by removing our hats in a building, we
are showing a lack of respect for our commitment to living God's
will wherever and whenever. This may be a little difficult to
understand, Matthew, but religious intolerance has no place in
Scouting events.
To clarify, please be mindful that our young adults may have
religious or cultural reasons for not removing SCOUT hats inside
_____
buildings. Don't try to get between the Scout's Duty to God (1st
part of the Scout Oath, 12th point of the Scout Law) by trying to
militate how he will fulfill his religious obligations.
I'm very sorry to everyone (Matthew included) for this
early morning flame from me. My son and I have been the
recipients of intolerant behaviour for our religious belief. It
should have not place in scouting.
Bruce Chr. Johnson
Past Clerk
Friends Committee on Scouting
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