Re: questions about Wicca

> From: Scouts-L Youth Group List [mailto:Scouts-L@listserv.tcu.edu]On
> Behalf Of Jason Cruse
> Sent: Monday, September 06, 1999 3:05 PM
>
> As a scoutmaster, I would have a couple of concerns about Wicca...
>
> First, my chartered partner would likely not allow a boy to be involved in
> our troop any more, if he were involved in Wicca, regardless if he is a
> member of our congregation or not (chartered partners CAN do that...but do
> it rarely).

This is perfectly within the rights of your Chartered Partner, although I
would hope that most Chartered Partners would not exercise this right on the
basis of a difference like this. If I recall correctly, your unit is an LDS
sponsored unit? I thought that the LDS did not restrict its units to members
of the Church. Are you saying that they will only accept SOME non-members,
with that determination based on belief structure? (This is primarily an
informational question, so I can continue to learn about the relationship
between LDS and Scouting.)
>
> Second, I also have friends in Wicca...and I would question the young man's
> "belief" and "duty" to God, based on this association.

This is the part I would have a problem with because the ONLY person who has
to decide whether his beliefs allow him to live the Oath and Law is the Scout
himself. Scouting has very specifically taken itself out of such decisions.
It specifically says that each Scout defines God in his own way and that it is
up to the boy, his family, and his religious advisers to help him develop
beliefs. So, as long as the Scout claims that he has a belief in a Supreme
Being it is my understanding that there is no issue. The rest of it is nobody
else's business.

--
Bruce E. Cobern
Advancement Chairman
Founders District, Queens Council, NY
mailto:bec@pipeline.com

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