evmori

Jesus didn't argue. He taught. As should we. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Q. What allows the Boy Scouts of America to exclude atheists and agnostics from membership? A. The Boy Scouts of America is a private membership group. As with any private organization, Boy Scouts retains the constitutional right to establish and maintain standards for membership. Anyone who supports the values of Scouting and meets these standards is welcome to join the organization. While the answer addresses the question, it seems to lump atheists & agnostics in the same basket. And they shouldn't be. And it sounds more like the company line than an actual answer. An agnostic doesn't necessarily deny the existence of God while an atheist does. Big difference. And to be fair & help understand where this Scout stands, a conversation needs to be held with the Scout. Just tossing him out is not the answer. Neither is dropping him from the roster. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Scouting doesn't use the terms agnostic or atheist but if you don't understand the difference you are making an ill-informed decision. Therefore their meaning is of the utmost importance. And refusing to understand the difference is nothing more than ignorant. Remember, we are here to help the Scouts make ethical & moral decisions. It sound like this Scout needs that help. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

The definitions and differences of terms like agnostic and atheist have zip to do with whether a boy meets the membership requirements. He must have a belief in God to be a member and must demonstrate his duty to God in order to advance. The definitions and differences are important. An agnostic may believe in God. If they do, they meet the membership requirement. Atheists don't believe in God. They don't meet them membership requirement. Remember, the requirement is belief in God not being a member of a religion or denomination. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I don't think you can kick a boy out if he is an agnostic. Atheist, definitely. There is a difference. The problem is he will never advance beyond 2nd Class if he refuses to say grace. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

If he believes in God, why couldn't he lead his patrol in silent grace? There is nothing that states grace before a meal must be said out loud. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Does this Scout believe in God? You need to answer that before you decide on a course of action. And remember, belief in God doesn't require being a member of an organized religion or denomination. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

How? You have so much fun that the parents feel they are missing out on something so they want to join to be part of the fun! Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Ed, Your theory seems to take all power from the Chartering Organization and the Troop Leadership to run a troop. What rules do you think they can make? Huh? I would suggest you re-read my posts. I am not advocating anything like this. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

It would be a big mistake to determine and publish a definition of active. You could be correct, FScouter. And along that line of thinking and since the BSA doesn't define "active" what's wrong with each unit determining their own definition of active as long as there is no violation of any BSA rules or regs? By the unit I meant the adult leadership along with the PLC. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

(Although maybe I might suggest to Ed that if he feels compelled to bring up the point about BSA not requiring a uniform again, he might want to include the point about wearing and encouraging the uniform in same post, so people don't think he's denigrating the uniform.) Read my last post, Hunt. I do encourage Scouts to wear the uniform. Encourage not require. The uniform isn't required. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

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I'm not hammering anything on anyone. Just trying to make a point to those "we have to do it by the book" people. And the point is required uniforms ain't in the book. I am all for the uniform. I wear mine to all Scouting functions. I encourage the Scouts in my unit to wear theirs and for the most part they do. We hold uniform inspections periodically and explain the importance of wearing the uniform correctly. We don't, however, require the Scout to wear their uniforms. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Brent, I encourage all the Scout in my unit to wear their uniforms. I always do. I also encourage them to participate in the Eagle projects for their Troop members. I always do. The point I am trying to make is the uniform or participating in Eagle projects are not BSA requirements. They are requirements of individual units. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Actually, FScouter, if the Troop Committee requires the Scouts to wear uniforms & the Scouts don't they could be held back from advancing thereby adding to the requirements. The uniform method doesn't make uniforms a requirement. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

FScouter, What is active in a Boy Scout Troop? Showing up for Troop meetings, participating in Troop activities, going on Troop outings, working on advancement, helping out with the younger Scouts (if appropriate). Being active is much more than being registered. And do you have a problem with the way I sign my posts? OGE, It would seem since being registered is the same as being active then the requirement to be active in your Troop would be met by just being registered. At least that's what I get from what you have posted in this thread. Am I wrong? Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

A troop committee can require uniforms in order to participate in its programs. There is nothing in BSA literature that says otherwise. Does everyone on the Troop committee own a uniform? Do they wear the uniform to all Scouting functions? If a Troop committee requires Scouts to wear uniforms they are adding to the requirements and that isn't allowed. To be a Scout, you do not need to own a uniform. I would be interested to hear what the parents have to say. Please keep us updated. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Ed, where have I ever said a scout shouldnt participate in troop activities? Never said you did! My point is if you feel being active means nothing more than being registered then every Scout in your Troop should be an Eagle. Being active is more than being registered. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

and where did you see me say a scout didnt have to actively participate? If you feel, and I think you do, that being active in a Boy Scout Troop is nothing more than being registered then why would a Scout in a Boy Scout Troop have to actively participate? They are actively participating by being registered. OK now it's someone else's turn. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

The BSA doesn't define active for Boy Scout Troops. Although, the BSA does feel meeting attendance is important. If they didn't, why would there be an attendance requirement for Sea Scouts? Here is a list of words that are synonyms for active: alive, at work, bustling, effective, efficacious, exertive, flowing, functioning, going, hasty, impelling, in force, in play, in process, mobile, movable, moving, operating, operative, progressive, pushing, rapid, restless, rolling, running, rushing, rustling, shifting, simmering, speeding, speedy, streaming, swarming, traveling, turning, walking, working. All seem to indicate some type of movement. Registered isn't on the list. I'm not advocating attendance standards. But in order for a boy to get the most out of Scouting in a BSA Troop they have to actively participate! Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

And no one has ever shown a BSA definition of active. Now I don't want to rehash an old thread but to me, active doesn't mean registered. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Since the BSA doesn't define active, I have always felt each unit could. I have never like the idea of active only being registered & I really don't feel that is what the BSA had in mind. Ed mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I'll take DE's Who Are DE's for $200, Alex!

Thanks Backpacker. Sure Woodbadge is the top of the line training. But just because someone has been through Woodbadge doesn't mean they are a better Scouter than one who hasn't been through Woodbadge. Sorta like earning an MBA. You can still be a moron & have your MBA, too. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

We seem to be getting hung up on terminology. If we keep the Scouts best interest at heart & help them to learn to make moral & ethical decisions, we have done our job. Call it Traditional Scouting, New Wave Scouting, etc. Who cares. It's Scouting! Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10