Scouting for Gnostics

[cdave]

"The Scout Association has been reported to the equality watchdog for allegedly discriminating against atheists by making them swear an oath to God."

Well it seems I was well ahead of times then.

I remember I was having doubts about Christianity when I joined Scouts, and asked if I had to swear an oath to "do my duty" to something I wasn't sure I believed in any more. They pointed out that the God mentioned is not explicitly the Christian God, so I could swear to what ever deity I wanted. When I said it was the whole God thing I had problems with, I was told that basically there is no alternative version, and if I wanted my woggle I'd have to swear the oath. So I did.

I don't think I would/could now.

Comments

[cdave]

I guess even the queen bit could be offensive to republicans, that's easily fixed by changing it to country (or at least community). The sort of person who wouldn't swear that wouldn't really be wanted as a scout.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

The sort of person who wouldn't swear that wouldn't really be wanted as a scout.

Quakers? or any one from any of the small Christian minorities who do not believe in taking oaths lightly.

The bible is actually dead against oaths.

We have the right to affirm in this country. That the Scouts haven't caught up yet is a bit off.

[cdave]

Quakers?
I guess we get onto the definition of duty then. I certainly didn't mean I'd go to war when I swore mine.

who do not believe in taking oaths lightly

Actually that's a really good point. It's not exacly the sort of thing that needs an oath. An affirmation should be enough.

[cdave]

The 4-H pledge looks quite nice.