Scouting & Paganism?

[LadyStitches]

I was reading through my son's Cub Scouts Wolf handbook today, and noticed the "Duty to God" section.  

Yes, I knew there were religious requirements when I signed him up.  No, I did not know that I would be re-discovering my pagan beliefs that I had tried to bury.  In addition, my beliefs are not necessarily that of my son's.  At his age, he knows that mommy and daddy believe in God, but not necessarily in the same way as other people he knows.  I'm still exploring my path and haven't been ready to open up to him about it.

The requirements for his age level are very simple and broad- we can easily do them.  But, does anyone know if there are any pagan groups that have tried to participate in the religious emblem program?  It is not a requirement, but something the boys can work on.  I think it would be so neat to see either Paganism or Wicca represented.  I see Islam, Hindu and Buddism, so why not?  

*edited to add:  I think next year we will be looking into the Spiral Scouts.  We have a rule in our house that once you start something, you've got to finish it... no quitting halv-way through the season.  Of course, with our impending move, that may change the playing field- so to speak.

[lepetitmort]

In the past BSA has not been very friendly to pagans (or Athiests, Agnostics, and homosexuals), one group in 2006 actually kicked out two brothers who were Wiccan though it was a church run group which no doubt fueled that, that ruling was later overturned by the churches leadership however because of the uproar the boys did not want to go back. I know that the religious emblem section was once open to Unitarian Universalists however I think that has now changed. I would make an exception to your no-quitting rule in this case and look into Spiral Scouts sooner unless you really want your son to be part of a group that promotes intolerance.

[ThunderWolf]

I think that has now changed. I would make an exception to your no-quitting rule in this case and look into Spiral Scouts sooner unless you really want your son to be part of a group that promotes intolerance.

I've got to agree. They've got an organization-wide ban against gay members. IMO it's not such a big stretch to imagine their intolerance toward Pagans of any type. I suspect the only reason they don't ban Pagans is that it would be considered religious discrimination.

[lepetitmort]

I suspect the only reason they don't ban Pagans is that it would be considered religious discrimination.

They actually have been through several lawsuits with members which were excluded and have won their cases both on religion and sexual orientation matters. They do have a legal site where you can read the case documents. They don't explicitly state they don't accept Pagan's however I would not want to deal with a fiasco like that poor family in 2006.

[daecon]

There are indeed Pagan Scouts.  Like AA, the organization requires an acknowledgement of a Higher Power but does not presume to dictate what form that Power might take.  There are scouts who are Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Wiccan.  My own HP had a son in the boy scouts, openly Pagan.  Of course, different scout groups and scout masters will have their own biases and different opinions on the religious requirements, and for the organization as a whole, actual Atheists are a different story, but you shouldn't quit if there's no problem.  On balance, the Scouts do more good than harm. 

Of course, from your side, the Horned God is clearly the Ultimate Scout by anyone's standards. 

[LadyStitches]

I would make an exception to your no-quitting rule in this case and look into Spiral Scouts sooner unless you really want your son to be part of a group that promotes intolerance.

I think that has now changed. I would make an exception to your no-quitting rule in this case and look into Spiral Scouts sooner unless you really want your son to be part of a group that promotes intolerance.

I've got to agree. They've got an organization-wide ban against gay members. IMO it's not such a big stretch to imagine their intolerance toward Pagans of any type. I suspect the only reason they don't ban Pagans is that it would be considered religious discrimination.

TW- I have a huge problem with the BSA banning homosexuals as well.  But... 
I wonder, that it might be easier to create change by working it from within?  I think it is easier for people to see that we're not so different from them if we're around them more, instead of separating ourselves from them.  I understand that they are a private club and can therefore make their own rules.  But those rules are made by people that have been with the organization for a long time, and they will probably only be changed is if it enacted from within.  I don't know with it being a private organization that there will ever be enough external pressure to change.

That being said, I don't like the idea of financially supporting an organization with this kind of discrimination either.   Essentially, It's something my husband and I have to discuss.  Especially since I haven't been open with my son about it (though he does want to make a wand, just like mom has!)., and dad has different beliefs than mom.

Thank you daecon- it's nice to know that there have been openly Pagan and Wiccan scouts that have  not been kicked out!  I do agree that the Horned God would be the Ultimate Scout!

[Hagred]

The problem might be where you live LadyStitches.  It would not surprise me if you were in the USA "Bible Belt".  That is an entirely different planet.  Most civilized countries nowadays have laws against discrimination on religious and sexual orientation grounds.  Might be worth investigating and send the leaders a rocket.

I would take deacon's advice and look up a pagan friendly scout group - if such a group exisits in your area.