Back in the Paleozoic, I was a Boy Scout. I was one merit badge away from being awarded the rank of Eagle Scout. Now, 30-40 years later, in addition to all of the other crap that I do, I also serve as an adult leader in my son's Cub Scout Pack. As such, I belong to a "Scouter's Forum". There is a Committee Chairman out there that has a problem with a boy, that is a self professed athiest being awarded his duly deserved rank of Eagle simply because of his religious views. Here was his quandry;
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As of this month, I have been approved by our Chartering Organization as the committee chair. I've been around scouting for awhile, serving as a committee chair in another troop, and most recently, as the unit commissioner.
Here is my issue. There is a scout in the troop who is an atheist. The SM is aware of it. The SM let me know that to him, it's not an issue because a scout is supposed to be honest. I disagree, but I digress...
This scout is very close to completing his requirements for Eagle. At the Chair, I sign off on the Eagle Application. I am very torn about this decision:
1. On the one hand, I believe in the Scout Law and Oath - to do my duty to God. To me, it is a core belief in scouting.
2. On the other hand, this scout has been permitted to advance in the troop for several years, with the knowledge of the scoutmaster. Is it the right thing to do to this young man since he has been permitted to advance in the troop?
Thanks for the help!
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SM = Scout Master, by the way. My response to this was as follows;
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The Scout Oath contains the phrase;
On my honor I will do my best
to do my duty to *God* and my country.
The Scout Law states that a scout is *Reverent*.
What, exactly, does that mean? That a scout that has completed all of the requirements for Eagle cannot obtain that recognition because he simply does not view "God" and "religion" through the same narrow tube as do you and I? I don't think so. To do that would be a travesty. If you want to jade this young man forever, then by all means continue on that path. The Board of Review is exactly that. A *review*. It is not an inquisition. It is not a tool by which to ensure that these young men believe in exactly what *you* want them to believe in.
I have always viewed Boy Scouts not as a religious based organization, but a *service* based organization. We, as adult leaders, do everything within our power to ensure that these young men are given the skills to succeed in the world. We intill not only a valuable skill set, but also a sense of values. What they carry away from that is up to each and every individual. Personally, I know several self proclaimed "athiests" that lead more moral and values based lives than some of the deacons in my own church, that come in every Sunday still hungover from the night before.
Frankly, if this young man has the courage, and the honesty, to stand up for what he really and truly believes...then his leaders have done thier jobs well and he should be advanced.
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Am I wrong? Back in
my day very little was made of the religious aspect of the Boy Scouts. Frankly, I got a lot out of scouting. A scout's personal religious beliefs were never brought to the front and put on display in such a blatant display of power over a scout. But, then again, I hail from a small town where my own troop leader's knew what church that I belonged to, and that I was active in it. Obtaining the rank of Eagle is no easy feat. To deny this young man that award, based simply upon his own religious beliefs, is, in my eyes, reprehensible. Fortunately, it seems that about as many agree with me as do the "Grand Inquisitor". There is hope yet for the Boy Scouts.
So, how about it, TFP? How do
you view the Boy Scouts? Religious organization, or service organization? Should the young man, in question, be awarded the highest rank that a Boy Scout can achieve? Or, should he forever bear the burden of having stood up for what he believes?