PLEASE READ (Reverence to God)
Alan Burdette (howdy01@JUNO.COM)
Mon, 3 Nov 1997 16:04:31 EST
This is in response to several posts concerning a Scouts Reverence to
God:
>I submit that by respecting nature, by respecting others by observance
>of the Golden rule, by showing respect to all around us, regardless
>of their Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or Agnostic upbringing,
>and by living the Scout Law to the best of our ability, who among us
>would argue that we are not being faithful to our religious duties,
>and are not being Reverent?
I would. A few weeks ago we had a lengthy discussion on what "Reverence"
means. Let me clear it up. A lot of folks would say that "Reverence" is
defined as:
1-respecting others religious choices
2-living the Golden Rule
3-respect for nature
Well ladies and gentleman, the above definition is tremendously lacking.
If that was all that "Reverence" entailed, wouldn't they have simply
used the term "Respect"? Yes, as scouts it is important to respect
others beliefs, to respect and care for nature, and to live the Golden
Rule, but that isn't enough. A "framework" for faith isn't sufficient.
A scout must have faith in God.
I am 18 yrs old. I'm a poor, broke college student who will be quick to
admit that I don't know much in this world. But I do know that I am a
Christian, a servant of God Almighty. And as such, I must strive to
practice the following - both for my faith and for scouting:
Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got
together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this
question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your strength and with all your mind. This is the first
and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these
two commandments."
(Matthew 22:34-40)
Did you read that? For me to be "Reverent", I have to love the Lord my
God, with all my heart, soul, and mind!
I admit, it's uneasy to think of denying a program like scouting to
anyone. But please, I urge you to really think of what it is that we
stand for. What is the Spirit of Scouting? Huh? You talk about it.
You check it off as a requirement. You sign your posts with it. Look
folks I grew up in scouting. I've tied the knots, I've earned the ranks,
I have "reached the realm of the Eagle" and am proud of it. But I didn't
do it alone. It was through the grace of God. If scouting was just
about camping, serving others, first aid, good citizenship, summer camp,
helping those in need, Philmont, growing up in this world, merit badges,
and having respect for folks - I wouldn't do it. Because works without
faith are dead. It's not your life. It's God's. Live it for him in all
that you do - most of all scouting. And if you don't believe in God...
Speaking for what I believe to be the Spirit of Scouting,
Alan Burdette.
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
