Scouts Welcome Atheists a Century after Baden-Powell Demonised Them
December 4, 2012 5 Comments
To the founder, Lord Baden-Powell, it was as much a peril for a young man to avoid as gambling, drunkenness, swearing or the wiles of the opposite sex.
The Telegraph reports:
But more than a century after the Scouting movement was founded, it is finally preparing to recognise atheism on a par with Christianity and other religions.
The association is consulting its members on plans to draft an alternative oath without references to God, allowing atheists to become full members and Scout group leaders for the first time.
It follows accusation of discrimination and intolerance after an 11-year-old boy was barred from full membership because he said he did not believe in God.
George Pratt was told he could not join 1st Midsomer Norton Scout Group in Somerset, after saying he felt unable to make the traditional promise to do his best to do his “duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law”…
But although atheists who decline to swear the oath are allowed to become “associate” members and even help run Scout groups as helpers, they are barred from becoming full members or leaders.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph today, the chief executive of the Scout Association, Derek Twine, argues that the current rules simply force people to become “hypocritical or dishonest” by taking the promise against their own beliefs.
Describing the move as an “historic change”, he adds: “All bodies have to stay fresh and current, while remaining true to their founding principles.”
He goes on: “Let me be quite clear and reassure readers of all backgrounds: the original Scout Promise will remain untouched, but for those who have no faith, there would be a new alternative.”
The shift in policy comes in marked contrast to the stance adopted by Baden-Powell. In his book of advice for boys, “Rovering for Success”, Baden-Powell ranked atheism alongside gambling, excessive drinking, smoking and even syphilis as a danger to be avoided.
Likening organisations for atheists as “sects”, he spoke of adherents as “enemies of the worst sort” and warned against “very offensive” attacks on religious belief.
“If you are really to make your way to success – ie happiness – you must not only avoid being sucked in by irreligious humbugs, but you must have a religious basis to your life,” he wrote.
Yesterday Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said: “This is a move in the right direction.
“By adjusting their promise to include people without a religious belief, the Scouts will bring themselves in line with the reality of 21st century Britain, where more than two thirds of young people say they have no religious belief.”
Yesterday George Pratt’s father Nick said: “It’s good news, we will wait and see what transpires but if they let George back in that will be mission accomplished.”
About Fr Stephen Smuts
Sooo….. Who wants to make an 11-year-old guttersnipe cry?
I certainly do, but I’m not about to fly overseas to give a chubby 11-year-old a verbal beating. There are many 11-year-olds where I live that need actual beatings.
There are people over there to do that and set him straight…. Right?
(“Church of England plans to vote again for women bishops until people ‘get it right’ “)
Oh.
TO be fair, it’s not the 11-year-old’s fault alone- the kid doesn’t know anything. If anyone needs beatings, it would be the parents. And probably their teachers. And religious leaders. And politicians. Wow, what is wrong with Britain?
And the fact that the Scouts CAVED IN! How infuriating! Scouts fought in World War 1, darn it. Now, what- they’re no better than a social club that attracts whiny atheists who complain when they’re excluded. That’s why atheists hate religion and its members. They feel excluded and want to freely express “I don’t believe in God and I hate Him.”
How strange when everyone starts to be quiet at the suggestion that people ought to be free to express “I don’t like Jews!” or “Gays are perverts!” while talking about free speech- The tactic of the Cultural Marxist is this- Use political correctness to shut people up and calling them bigots and intolerant or stupid for disagreeing.
In what way is it not offensive for atheists to ridicule and mock the belief in God and the people who subscribe to that belief? Certainly, these loudmouth atheists would run away when faced by hardcore murderous Jihadi thugs demonstrating on their streets.
As one of HM’s Queen’s Scouts and Baden-Powell Awardees, I actually don’t have a problem with any Scout not believing per se if that is their perspective. I’d rather them join and be given the same opportunities to experience, live, learn. Seriously Ioannes, I’d like to learn why it is that you feel so strongly and negatively, even write of violence about these events? Where you abused as a child? What happened to you in your adolescence and early adulthood for you to have, hold such strong views? Have you ever had an independent DSM-IV diagnosis assessment? Where is your love & care? Do you have a wife & if so, could you please ask her to make Comments on your posts?
Hi, I’m Ioannes’ wife. I must say, he’s an okay guy.
It entertains me that you’re now an “Internet Psychiatrist” whose stance is now “Let’s talk it over!”
Do you know exactly what you’re doing? I could not care less about you now that I know what you believe and what you support, but I would entertain myself in getting a reaction from you. Now, you have this “I’m so concerned for you!” tone.
You might as well be trying to console a bunch of words generated by something you’d like to be humanized. But no, I have no mercy for you. Only God can give mercy.
I can have as much love and care for you as I have much love and care for a sack of potatoes. Because, you know, you can claim to be anything you want on the Internet. It would take a leap of faith to believe what anyone says! Even with pictures, things can be doctored, and dates as well as sounds can be fabricated! How are you so sure that I’m not some bored Catholic bishop or parish pastor who likes to pick random internet fights to relieve himself of the boredom of having to deal with parish councils and their inane, theologically incoherent suggestions? I may be a good actor who can fabricate speech patterns for consistency, you know!
But as far as I’m concerned, There’s nothing about your that I am sympathetic to. And so I will continue to irritate you for your irritating position.
So, you’re a Scout and Baden-Something-or-Other awardee? I’m a Nobel peace prize laureate in science. Didn’t you know? I’m also a trained Psychiatrist, so I know exactly what you’re thinking, and I must say that you’re not looking too well, mentally speaking. Because you’re starting to project your Internet Psychiatry persona into people you look up to, such as myself.
But, I’m also a recipient of the Iron Cross, so I know exactly what you’re going to do next: You will either: Respond, trying to be logical and “reasonable” and say “My, you have Schizophrenia!” OR, you will deny everything I’ve accused you of ever doing, such as having gay lovers and having been a drug addict. OR, you will say nothing and believe yourself to be the victor!
For your information, I may be a sociopath at times, but at least I’m not as stupid as you! Crazy does not equal stupid.
Ioannes’s riposte to the psychologist was most welcome. As for the original story, the sickening photograph of the “victim” says it all.