Scout won't wear uniform-contradicts beliefs

[tmonahan]

A scout gave our scoutmastser a note from his mother stating that the scout would no longer be wearing his uniform because it "contradicts their beliefs".

The note did not go into detail on what those beliefs are.

The scoutmaster was going to contact the mother to find out more information.

 

What is the BSA policy(official/unofficial) for something like this? Anyone else had to deal with a similiar problem?

 

[erksh]

My father has mentioned that his childhood church was very against his participation in Scouts because of the uniform.

 

I can't remember the exact demonitation ...but it was Christian-based.

 

Something about the uniform reflecting alliegence to something other than God.

[Trevorum]

Wearing the unform is not required to be a Scout. Uniforming is a method and not an aim of Scouting. The SM should take the parent's word at face value and should not expect this young man to wear a uniform. Period.

 

It is a strange situation, I admit, but the families beliefs must be respected in this regard.

[nldscout]

A troop committee can require uniforms in order to participate in its programs. There is nothing in BSA literature that says otherwise.

 

I would ask the parent to explain this to me as SM and the CC, then leave it up to the committee to deceide what the proper course of acton is.

 

Did they just join a new church or what?

[frank10]

First I'd have a talk with the parents. Not to disagree with them but rather to understand the limits placed on the boy. I'd let them know upfront that the troop is there to support them. Can he wear the troop T? can he wear a MB sash? Are tehre other areas of concern like the oath and the pledge?

 

Second, I'd take the items he can't do and next to each I'd list the goal that is achived by each.

"Wearing the uniform helps to identyify you as part of the unit. It help build the team. (and the rest...)" Then the scout (and his family) would be asked how the scout will achive the same items. I am flexible, but there is no free lunch.

[evmori]

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

[TheScout]

With all do respect, in my opinion the logic that if a Troop Committee requires it is adding a requirement is very poor.

 

If one was to hold to that argument, he could also say:

 

You do not have to own a handbook to be a Scout

 

You do not have to come to meetings to be a Scout

 

You do not have to fundraise to be a Scout

 

You do not have to pay dues to be a Scout

 

The list could go on forever. That theory would take away nearly all power from the Troop Committee. Finally, I would say the Troop does have the authority to add such requirements. The very fact that they have to sign the registration form for each new boy gives them the power to do so. If it was not intended this way, why would unit leaders even have to sign the form? This would also stop units from being able to refuse to let in new scouts when they deem membership grows to large.

[SeattlePioneer]

I wear the uniform to all Scouting activities, including district and council events where doing so is rare.

 

I would want to talk with the parents and perhaps a church leader about what motivates this objection ---it might simply be a misunderstanding about what the uniform represents.

]

For example, are church members who work for U.P.S. permitted to wear the UPS brown uniform? What about other uniformed organizations?

 

If it turned out that the parents were correctly understanding their church's position on Scout uniforms, I'd accept that and permit the boy to do Scouting without a uniform.

 

I think I'd be inclined to do that even if the troop required uniforms for attendance. I don't see any reason why such an exception couldn't be explained to the Scouts --- saying that this was Scouting's way of respecting the religious beliefs of the Scout and his family.

 

 

 

Seattle Pioneer

[SueM]

I agree that you should talk to the church leaders and find out why or even IF there is some real objection to having the scout wear the uniform. If there is a misunderstanding from the parents POV, then perhaps they could also talk to the parents then and straighten it out.

 

sue m.

[packsaddle]

Decades ago when I was a boy in the troop, the minister was 'let go' because he supported the civil rights movement. The new minister was welcomed by this Presbyterian church because he was a segregationist. However, he stopped the troop from entering the church in uniform. And he would not allow the American flag to enter the church under any circumstance. Caused quite a stir but I suppose it was destiny.

[FScouter]

"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."

 

Ed, you are wrong. "Adding to the requirements" refers to advancement requirements. Uniforming is one of the 8 methods of Scouting and if a chartered organization wants to require its troop to wear uniforms, that is perfectly within their right to "conduct Scouting in accordance with its own policies and guidelines as well as those of the BSA."

[evmori]

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

[BrentAllen]

Ed,

I'm just curious why you are always pushing the BOTTOM of the envelope in Scouting? It is your personal mission to get rid of the Scout uniform? It seems like you are always pointing out the lowest common denominator in the program - Scouts don't have to wear a uniform, Scouts don't have to participate in Eagle projects. Do you make comments like this in your unit, District and Council, or just here? Instead of encouraging boys to wear their uniform, you seemed determined to make sure they know they DON'T have to wear it. Am I wrong?

 

[evmori]

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

[FScouter]

Ed, you have repeated that uniform-not-required litany dozens of times over the years. Why do you keep hammering us with that?