Do you know that in an older version of the Scout Promise the Law contained, “A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties.”

The importance of this was illustrated by an incident at a recent Edinburgh Tattoo. A crusty-old soldier participant expressed himself thus: “If someone doesn’t have a smile – give them one of yours.”

That is quite a good suggestion, and one that aptly expresses the importance of the Scout Law, and seems to suggest why we should be ready to help in the carrying out of these important little rules of life.

Why not try to encourage this in your Scout activities regularly? They may be able to lift the earth if they do.

(Adapted from July ’09 “Australian Scout”)

In the July issue of Australian Scout, Ralph Wensley and Kevern Rapkin wrote an article on this topic. This had arisen because of a contribution on the subject by David Christensen in the November ’08 issue of the Scout magazine.

David is a CSL of 15th. Essendon Sea Scout Group. In this issue he states: “the beliefs collected throughout your life can be considered your God.” In the dictionary, God with a capital “G” is defined as “Supreme being, Creator and Ruler of the universe.”

While not wishing to do any disservice to David it seems that the words may contribute somewhat of an opportunity for very varied ideas on the matter.

In Scouting, Duty to God is defined as “A person’s relationship with the spiritual values of life, the fundamental belief in a force above mankind”, and belief is defined as “acceptance of a truth without complete proof” and “to believe” as “put one’s trust in something or someone.”

Let us therefore be aware of the danger of confusing nature, service to others, or our individual beliefs with God.

A Few Useful Principles

If we want to know where Scouting stands on a particular subject, where better to turn than to our Policy and Rules, for the Aim and Principles has plenty to say on religious policy.

The principles of Scouting, as identified by the Founder are that Scouts should serve God. The three Principles that characterize all members of the Movement are referred to as “Duty to God”, “Duty to others” and “Duty to self”.

Adult Leaders have “the obligation of encouraging the spiritual growth of youth members so that they may gain a deeper understanding of Duty to God as they progress through the Movement.”
In the Scout Promise each of us promise to, “live by the Scout Law.”

Therefore, it is a Hindu Movement for Hindi Scouts.
A Christian Movement for Christians Scouts.
A Muslim movement for Muslims Scouts.
A Jewish movement for Jewish Scouts.
A Buddhist movement for Buddhist Scouts, and so on….

Some Practical Suggestions

Leaders should:
Keep a list of the religions of all the members of the Movement, and make it known to all the other Leaders.

Once a term invite a friendly Imam, Priest, Pastor or Rabbi, or Leader of another religion, to show the members around their place of worship,

Hold a Scouts Own once a term, making it part of the evening program, as well as having a Scouts Own at all camps, for this is the main intention of that.

The Spiritual Development Committee hopes to make a full copy of the material available to all in the near future

A PRAYER FOR ALL SECTIONS

Dear Lord, as we, a few of your Scouts come together we ask for Your blessing. May we feel very close to You and know that we can talk to you about everything.

Help us to think and speak wisely, and so live by our Scout Law and Promise.

Help us to turn away from all wrong doing and strengthen us that we may do the right.

O God, accept the prayer that we offer in your Name.