"humanistic" believer scout

I have read with interest the comments of Larry Tuck, GMarmet and
Michael F. Bowman on this subject. I believe their discussion is
directly on point and well stated.

It is important for the Scout and his family alone to determine the
Scout's qualification. Can the Scout in good conscience and with a
sense of meaning (at the level of a 10 year old boy) pledge to "do his
best to do his duty to God"? They need not explain how they comply to
the Scout leader.

People successfully comply with this through traditional forms of God
beliefs. Non-traditional beliefs are just as acceptable. They need not
be part of an established religion. The definition of God is left to
the Scout and his family.

Personally, I view the definition of God in a very inclusive manner. I
believe that Scouting does as well. Each Scout or Scouter may not hold
the same or even similar views but the full range of views are included.

My understanding of the humanist views is that these views are a
spectrum of belief. Some may be agnostics and some may not be. Yet it
seems that a belief in some higher good, higher law (morals and values),
the power of love, etc. is included. The family must determine where
the Scout fits.

David Delman wrote:

If they are meeting with others in some organized way with a leader
picture me holding "Two Thumbs UP on Both Hands"

Meeting with others and a "religious" leader is not a part of the
requirement. Nor does meeting with others and a "religious" leader
satisfy the requirement. A person may regularly attend some such
meeting without the requisite acceptance of a duty to God. Duty to God
is simply a feeling that one holds in one's heart. Anything beyond that
exceeds the limits of the requirement.

Also, I don't consider the professional Scouters anymore capable of
interpreting the requirement than the family themselves. The language
of the requirements has been presented by the other responders to the
question. It is the family who should be called upon to interpret them
in the way they see fit.

While acceptance of a duty to God is a requirement, it should be dealt
with in a loving, accepting, inclusive manner. I believe the Scouter
asking the question has done that and the first steps to a successful
conclusion are well underway.

Yours in Scouting

Jim Clark
Seattle

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