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Boy Scouts of america ?

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Mickes, Dec 8, 2002.

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  1. Mickes

    Mickes New Member

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    I have recently been told that a baptist or follower of Jesus should not be involved with boy scouts because of there requirment that you can believe in any god what are some thoughts out there about this ? we are to be seperated from this kind of group.
     
    #1 Mickes, Dec 8, 2002
  2. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    The BSA is not a religious organization. If you do not believe in affiliating with organizations that are not primarily religious in nature, then you should stay away.

    If you are comfortable, however, the Scouts teach integrity, self-reliance, nature skills and a number of other virtues. Better than a lot of things teen-age boys could be doing, IMHO.

    I have had friends, for example, who were put off by the "secret" rituals of the Order of the Arrow. They're not secret; any parent who wishes to know can be informed. And they're very nice ...

    As in everything else, most depends on the quality of the leadership. If it's good, the program is too. If not, the program stinks. Be selective.

    From a former Cubmaster, assistant Webelos leader, Webelos leader, assistant Scoutmaster and chartered organization representative.
     
    #2 rsr, Dec 8, 2002
  3. Mickes

    Mickes New Member

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    Thanks for the reply I am and assistant scoutmaster now I am also the pastor of our church I felt the call to this position about 6 months ago then found out our pastor was leaveing I was accepted as the new pastor now I have been seeing things different. another pastor brougt this to my atention I do think scouts is a good organization for the unsaved but have a problem with praying to any god also the relationship they have here with the legion and children being exposed to the bar. we do not participate in things that we feel are not right but even at summer camp last year theyhad young girls as counsilers and guides etc. walking around in small bikinnis the coments from some of the boys were not of good caracter let alone some of the leaders. I also had a hard time geting permission to read pslam 1 at the fire after 9/ 11. I was going to get out this year but had some children and even the scoutmaster showing interst in the Lord so I decided to stay but now have second thoughts about this. I did a sermon on seperation from the world this week and I feel I might be leading these people to the Lord under false pretense. I saw this happen years ago and then when the truth or true doctorine preaching came out the church emptied.
     
    #3 Mickes, Dec 8, 2002
  4. Headcoveredlady

    Headcoveredlady New Member

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    Young girls in bikini's teaching young boys??? Why do they allow that? I have also wondered at times why women are allowed to lead a group called Boy Scouts. It just doesn't seem to fit right.

    HCL
     
    #4 Headcoveredlady, Dec 8, 2002
  5. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Having a requirement to believe in a higher power or to keep a reverent life does not a religious group make. Many civic organizations have requrements that its members believe in a supreme being. But these groups are in the civic business, not the religion business, so they leave the expression of that belief up to one's place of worship. It simply means that you can't be an atheist and be in boy scouts. There is nothing wrong or biblically inappropriate with being a member of such an organization. I believe the Elks (or is it the Moose??) Lodge have a similar requirement. So does Alcoholics Anonymous.
     
    #5 Johnv, Dec 9, 2002
  6. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    1) Because you can't find enough men. In Cub Scouting, I think it's the rule rather than the exception, especially with the younger groups.

    2) Because there are some very hard-working, dedicated women without whom the program would fall apart.
     
    #6 rsr, Dec 9, 2002
  7. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    From my sons handbook:
    I fail to see where this is offensive to anyone. The Boy scouts are not church...they are not a Christian denomination...they do however believe that there is a God...and that is amazing in this day and age...where the mear mention that God actually exists is shushed.

    As for woman in boy scouts...men are also heavily involved...and family is encouraged to participate as well...and I think this is healthy. Woman play a roll in the nurture and upbringing of all young people....to deny this fact would be foolish. Men also have a valuable contribution to make... there is something that boys learn from men that they can't learn from woman...I'm not sure what it is exactly... I can only say that it seems to put a boy slightly off balance when male influence is noticibly absent in a boys upbringing...they need both influences to be complete.

    [ December 09, 2002, 08:39 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]
     
    #7 Wisdom Seeker, Dec 9, 2002
  8. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    A Cub mom, huh? Wolf or Bear?

    There are some excellent opportunities in Scouting. I can't think of how my son would have earned lifeguard status or learned how to sail without those opportunities.

    I'm still jealous of the sailing ...
     
    #8 rsr, Dec 9, 2002
  9. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I'm a former boy scout, cub scout, and webelo. They were the greatest times in my life, educational, spiritually enriching, and socially fulfilling.
     
    #9 Johnv, Dec 9, 2002
  10. Refreshed

    Refreshed Member
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    I was a boy scout as well. It was really a lot of fun, but I stopped going because the Mormon Church the scouts were held at started requiring we attend a 30 minute indoctrination session before the scout meetings. I did learn some interesting things about the Mormons, however, during some of those indoctrination sessions. You wouldn't believe the Mormon political and social influence where I live. It is all-pervasive.
     
    #10 Refreshed, Dec 10, 2002
  11. C.S. Murphy

    C.S. Murphy New Member

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    This is news to me about the bikinis but I will add that if they had been present in my scouting experience I might have made it to eagle scout.
    :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
    Murph
     
    #11 C.S. Murphy, Dec 10, 2002
  12. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    BWAAAA HAAAA HAAAAA!!!!!
     
    #12 Johnv, Dec 10, 2002
  13. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I always wanted to join the Girl Guides, but the scoutmaster was sticky wicket about that, and wouldn't have it.

    In the 40's and 50's, Boy Scouts was the only organization around for young boys and many churches housed it. They also built their pack around their own Christian doctrines.

    Later, other organizations like Christian Service Brigade came on the scene and Boy Scouts faded away in Evangelical churches.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #13 Jim1999, Dec 10, 2002
  14. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    Weebelo. He just joined because I was never able to find an active pack before a couple of months ago...He hasn't won a patch yet...not even his Badger. He's going to be in his first parade next Saturday. I like the Boy Scouts much better than Girl Scouts...of which I was one, and my middle daughter is a Brownie...Their functions are so sedate and formal...and parents are not really encouraged to be involved much. We went to our first Pack meeting a couple of weeks ago...and it was surprisingly fun. The boys were encouraged to be boys...often shouting out to the cubmaster (or whatever he's called) what I would call "Heckling" and when the boys who sold the most popcorn won...part of thier prize was to throw a pie in the face of whatever adult they chose...it was completely halerious.

    [ December 11, 2002, 01:21 PM: Message edited by: WisdomSeeker ]
     
    #14 Wisdom Seeker, Dec 11, 2002
  15. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    Webelos was my favorite part of the program (I was an assistant leader two years and leader one year) because the boys finally get to do cool Boy Scout stuff but they're not teen-agers. ;)

    My favorite part of being a Cubmaster was getting to perform the ceremonies (especially Arrow of Light and crossovers) and presiding over the Blue and Gold Banquet.

    Sounds like you have a good pack; enjoy it. Give everyone a big hand.
     
    #15 rsr, Dec 11, 2002
  16. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Ahhh, I fondly remember the Arrow of Light. I'd forgotten how special that time of my life was. Back when I was young, and stupid. Today, I'm just stupid [​IMG]
     
    #16 Johnv, Dec 12, 2002
  17. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    No your not. Humble maybe...but stupid? I don't think so.
     
    #17 Wisdom Seeker, Dec 13, 2002
  18. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me...
     
    #18 Johnv, Dec 13, 2002
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