A Scout is Reverent -- different religions in the same troop

[AquilaNegra2]

Scouter writes:

One of the things that annoys me is that while maybe someone might call it nondenominational most of the things I hear are pretty Christian:

take off your hat- in my religion, its put on your hat and I just kind of go along because I don't want to make a big deal

and there are also a bunch of referces such as " the Lord" His son blah blah blah.

If you are feeling out of place, you might ask if you could explain to the others what you believe. We recently had a Scout do a Shabbat service on a campout. He first let everyone know that it was a religious service and they were free to opt out. The service was short and very interesting, and it gave the boys a point of discussion.

When over 80% of the USA describes themselves as Christian, it follows that you would hear more about it. If there are practices you disagree with, how are they to know if you don't tell them? The Scouts in our troop who do not eat pork needed to let the others KNOW so that menus could be adjusted accordingly. Those who celebrate Saturday Sabbath needed to let others KNOW so that activities are not always planned then. If the prayers offend, you could either remain silent (out of respect for the one offering them) or volunteer as Chaplain's Aide.

The slight you feel may very well be from ignorance -- for a Scout, that is much more plausible than it being from insensitivity.

[scouter01]

There are 5/30 kids in my troop who share religions with me. SO i don't feel out of place and we always make jokes about it. We actually meet at a temple now because our CO dumped us to remodel and never invited us back. I solved the problem just as you mentioned, by opting out of the scout's own services at summer camp. and for camp outs rub a dub sub thanks for the grub is pretty non denominaitonal ( just kidding) but those are nondenominational. And there are no dieatary restricitons in our troop.

It is obvious to me that it was ignorance. I didn't think people were doing it on purpose. :/

[milominderbinder2]

I really like the thought of having the Scouts share and include different content.

Prayers and services are supposed to always be non-denominaitonal. We are not to use phrases like:
"In Jesus' name we pray..."

If you follow the book, no one should feel out of place.

- Craig

[Mrw]

Our troop closes meetings with "May the Great Scoutmaster of all scoutmasters watch over us until we meet again."

That pretty much covers all the bases.

[pipestone1991]

Our troop closes meetings with "May the Great Scoutmaster of all scoutmasters watch over us until we meet again."

That pretty much covers all the bases.

I agree with this, it is non-denom and works for all.

[scouter01]

That one is fine by me but not everyone takes these things in to consideration

[AquilaNegra2]

I really like the thought of having the Scouts share and include different content.

Prayers and services are supposed to always be non-denominaitonal. We are not to use phrases like:
"In Jesus' name we pray..."

If you follow the book, no one should feel out of place.

- Craig

I'd rather have NO prayers offered than generic, Universalist ones. Those are offensive to all faiths equally .

Scouts are supposed to be sensitive to other faiths. That doesn't have to mean offering prayers that are in vain and have no meaning. Since Christians believe they worship the same God as the Jews do, there shouldn't be a problem offering an Amidah or other Jewish blessing - by a Jewish scout or a Christian scout.

I think sitting down and DISCUSSING what is offensive and what is not is a better idea than simply offering prayers that mean nothing, and teach nothing of significance.

"Rub a dub" prayers teach that prayer is unimportant. They are unbecoming of a Scout and irreverent.

[FrankJ]

I'd rather have NO prayers offered than generic, Universalist ones. Those are offensive to all faiths equally Sad.

Scouts are supposed to be sensitive to other faiths. That doesn't have to mean offering prayers that are in vain and have no meaning. Since Christians believe they worship the same God as the Jews do, there shouldn't be a problem offering an Amidah or other Jewish blessing - by a Jewish scout or a Christian scout.

I think sitting down and DISCUSSING what is offensive and what is not is a better idea than simply offering prayers that mean nothing, and teach nothing of significance.

"Rub a dub" prayers teach that prayer is unimportant. They are unbecoming of a Scout and irreverent.

This is why we do not discuss this here. You are going offend somebody. (but not me)