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Boy Scouts?

My kid wants to join the Boy Scouts. I know they have become more inclusive, but still hold onto the idea that everyone should have faith. Both me and his dad are atheists. My kid says he believes in god (prob getting it from friends at school). Mind you he also still believes in Santa. He’s asked for a few years now, and we’ve always explained why we didn’t agree with it. He’s 10 now, and asked again. I’ve researched and there aren’t other programs/groups in my area that are comparable.

Do I concede?

I’ll support him with whatever he chooses to believe in life.

Thoughts?

DaphneDarling 7 Sep 13
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72 comments (51 - 72)

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1

Childhood is all about exploration and testing of everything, even beliefs and religion. Continue to let them know what you think, but let them explore and discover. With any luck, they will be good at it and discover the scientific method. That should then be the end of religion.

1

I believe, and maintain that as a parent or any educator it is our responsibility to teach children how to think, not what to think.
If your child believes in a God, there is nothing wrong with that. But challenge it.
As far as the scouts go, if there are few other program around, then let them. There are other values that the organization has, that are worth it. Just challenge the bad ideas and nuture the good ones, like Socrates.

Yes ,give them direction but do not make them follow your road or anyone else’s . Inform and do not censor...challenge absolutely. Let them explore their life and if that involves religion, so what ...you can be sure that there is a conscious decision involved !

0

I was a boy scout and I played along with there religion stuff, but I knew I was just pretending. I do believe that it is a good organization that teaches responsibility to young boys

0

If he wants to join the Boy Scouts, support him and get him signed up. He could do much worse. They do teach other worthwhile values and he seems to understand that the religion part is not a block to enjoying the experience. Teach tolerance. He will learn to accept others who may believe differently then himself. My son enjoyed scouting and I and his mother both helped out with the troop activities.

0

The Scout Law is: “ A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”

The Scout Oath. “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

I guess it depends on how you feel about oaths and promises. Want to teach flexibility? Go ahead and sign him up. Want to instill a “my word is my honor” mentality? Explain that to him, and say no.

Now, about this Santa business... At age 10? Maybe turn this into a “You can’t believe everyone’s stories. Think logically.” gullibility lesson. His friends at school are teaching him about a magical man in the sky who can control everything in the universe. Show him how he was duped into believing in Santa, and maybe he can steal himself against the other con.

0

The Scout Law is: “ A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.”

The Scout Oath. “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

I guess it depends on how you feel about oaths and promises. Want to teach flexibility? Go ahead and sign him up. Want to instill a “my word is my honor” mentality? Explain that to him, and say no.

Now, about this Santa business... At age 10? Maybe turn this into a “You can’t believe everyone’s stories. Think logically.” gullibility lesson. His friends at school are teaching him about a magical man in the sky who can control everything in the universe. Show him how he was duped into believing in Santa, and maybe he can steal himself against the other con.

0

Best time of my young life in the Scouts. Mind you that was in UK as opposed to the bible bashing US of A

1

That's a tough one. My youngest was a cub/boy scout. He loved so many things about it like the camping and first aid, etc. There really are a lot of good skills and development that can come out of it if you can tolerate it. We were fortunate to find a fairly relaxed troop that didn't press on religion too much. Even during scoutmaster conferences my son, an athiest, would equate god to the universe, and they seemed cool with it.

0

I always thought that religious boy scout troops were specifically those attached to religious groups or religious people. My brother was a boy scout and my dad was a troupe leader but I don't remember any religion involved outside of the mention of God in the oath. You might want to talk to some troupe leaders and see what they say.

OCJoe Level 6 Sep 15, 2018
0

Well, it's a good thing, the boy scouts. Check things well.

0

There's a "join cub scouts" yard sign at a house near me that is flying the confederate flag.

1

I was in the Boy Scouts (troop 211) still have both my uniforms. IIRC they never forced religion onto me. They are bias against gays and athiests tho. Which is bullshit. I'd talk to the troop leader, or just maybe let him join since he believes in god? The Boy Scouts does teach you some life lessons tho and some morality. I don't know of any other similar group out there. Plus if you make it to Eagle Scout, and join the military, you are already one rank up.

1

My worry is that if he loves scouts but later gives up on the idea of god, he'll have to leave, hide it, or lie to himself.

0

I was never part of any type of scouts nor did I want to at that age. After seeing Deadpool 2, I'm glad I didn't.

0

The Cub Scout/ Webelo pack my son was in, was pretty dedicated to church. Our meetings were in a church. We had Scout Sunday once a year They did charity work for churches.

This was because of the leaders (one family) and not so much the scout organization, I believe. However, even at larger events I felt I was surrounded by believers. True or not, IDK.

We stopped going because my son got lazy about it. And I wasn't very motivated because it was mostly about playing and .....crafts!!! The actual boy scouting was very few, far and between. I was wasting my Friday nights.....I could spend that time directly with children. Blah!

So, it's worth a try. Probably depends on the local chapter

twill Level 7 Sep 21, 2018
0

I was a girl guide.
Learning to camp and stuff is cool.
But you don't do as much cool stuff as often as cadets. But you need to be at least 11 for that

0

I can't encourage an organization that doesn't support equality for all.
With all 4 boys, it was a no.

0

It is very possible to pursue interest in the out-of-doors and in self-development other than the Boy Scouts. As a kid, I was a Cub Scout, but found the Boy Scouts too structured and restrictive. But, I stayed active in the out-of-doors and developed related interests and skills on my own. Whatever you and he are comfortable with.

0

I would not let a son or daughter join the scouts for as long as I had control of the decision, ever. It is a religious indoctrination organization as much as it is a social organization and a skills organization. Religion is not a harmless difference of opinion.

I do not claim that this is the "right way" to do it, just my two cents.

0

Shop around for a troupe, I was a scout leader for many years and we mostly ignored the religious and anti gay stuff

0

I would let him join the Boy Scouts if he is so set in this because you cannot raise him in a closet. He will always remember this if you do not allow him to join. I'm sure that every day life exposes him to religion in many ways. I would investigate the local Scouts a bit however. If they are meeting in church or having any activity within a church the answer would be "no." The Scouts teach many things but I would not allow them to be an indoctrination tool.

0

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