Re: "humanistic" believer scout
Larry Tuck (ltuck@EARTHLINK.NET)
Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:58:14 +0000
Steve--
We have to be *very* careful here not to set ourselves up judging other
people's religeous beliefs. I haven't followed the California case
closely, but despite the press reports I believe the issue was not that
Scouting wanted to "kick these kids out because they're atheists" but
rather that they refused to recite the Scout Oath because it requires
pledging duty to God.
There's nothing in the ruling that says we *have* to refuse membership
or advancement to anyone, based on religeon or anything else. All the
decision says is that, at least on this topic, we (Scouting) can make
and enforce rules for our members without government interference.
That's a good thing. But let's not let it become divisive.
>From a quick review of the Webelos requirements, I see two relevant
points:
Requirement 7 says in part "Understand and intend to live by the Scout
Oath," which includes the phrase "duty to God." Nothing in the
requirement defines what God is or what duty to Him means--that is
deliberately left as a matter of individual conscience.
Requirement 8 lists several optional activities relating to religeous
belief and practice, including "Tell how your religeous beliefs fit in
with the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and discuss with your family and
Webelos leader what character-building traits your beliefs and the Scout
Oath and Scout Law have in common." and "Under the direction of your
religeous leader, do an act of service for someone else." and "List at
least two ways in which you have been a good example and lived according
to your religeous beliefs." If the boy and his parents define humanism
as their religeon, these requirements can be fulfilled within that
context.
It seems to me that you can turn your lack of knowledge about
"humanistics" into a positive by engaging this boy in a thoughtful
discussion focusing on what *his* beliefs are--not yours or his parents.
You, and even his parents, may be surprised.
I don't know a lot about it, but I believe that in most respects (other
than belief in God) humanistic principles fit in very well with the
Scout Oath and Law.
BTW I don't think humanists are necessarily athiests (who insist that
there is no God) but are more likely agnostics (who contend that we just
can't be sure one way or the other).
Personally, if the boy demonstrates good character and a moral sense
that is in keeping with the Scout Law (whatever the source of that moral
sense), I would not worry too much how he defines the Deity. He's only
10--I still don't have all the answers at 43. And there's a better
chance he'll be guided in the right direction if he stays in Scouting
than he will if he drops or is pushed out.
Hope this helps.
Larry Tuck
ASM, Troop 761
Thousand Oaks, CA
Steve & Terry Skovgard wrote:
>
> Fellow Scouters:
>
> In light of the California ruling, I am seeking input to a potential
> problem that I have in my Webelos den.
>
> One of my scout's mom approached me about how her son should go about
> getting his Webelos patch. She says she and her husband are
> "Humanistics" (is that the same as atheist?) and wanted to know, does
> that qualify for the Webelos patch. I asked her if her son believed in
> God, and she said, "Well we are humanistics, but we teach morals and
> values." And then she asked, "Does that count?" I don't have a clue.
> I asked her if her son ever prayed. She said no. I told her that I
> needed to learn more.
>
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City |
