From: Jim Peterson (kupete@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU)
Date: Fri Feb 11 2000 - 12:38:44 CST
Hi All,
Sorry I'm joining this thread a little late but something caught my eye.
It was a post from Ted which referenced Darryl's message:
>At 08:22 -0500 on 2/11/00, Darryl Hammill spake about Re: A Scout is
>Reverent thus:
>
>>This is, to me, one of those situations where if everything is
>>spelled out up front (like in the by-laws of the Troop) how can
>>anyone complain. Furthermore, the more we make out of this the more
>>likely it is that a weird problem occurs.
Well....the "bylaws of the troop" should not conflict with national policy
OR the Scout Law....which says that we need to be both respectful and
tolerant of other's beliefs.
(snip)
>My own home troop (wearing my hat as SA) is chartered to the Knights
>of Columbus, and housed at St. James [Catholic] Church. The Troop has
>a brief communion service on Sundays, which is assuredly Catholic in
>nature.
And if a Jewish scout joins your troop?....or do you not "welcome" or
encourage Jewish scouts to join your troop?
>
>When the Troop is chartered to a specific religious entity, it is
>natural for its religious observances to reflect that entity.
There should be nothing in any "religious observance" in your troop that
any scout or scouter, whether a member of your unit or visiting, would find
offensive or exclusive.
No
>parent or child joining that troop would be under any illusions as to
>what to expect.
>
>It is when a Troop is a community troop, that a need for broader
>perspective applies.
I disagree. A broader perspective always applies.
BLUE SKIES!, Any day above ground is a good day!
Jim Peterson (of the Kansas variety)
ADC, Pelathe District
Heart of America Council Eagle Class of 1963
ASM, T-55, Lawrence, Kansas Brotherhood, Tamegonit Lodge
email: kupete@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu Mic-O-Say: HW "Shieldmaker"
