Atheists under attack

[Number Six]

I emailed the Scouts about this, and have an email from the: "P & D Adviser (Diversity and Inclusion), The Scout Association" dated only 40 or so days ago, in which I was told that the organisation has no plans to change the promise.

[kel83]

As an aside, Girl Guiding UK is launching a consultation on our Promise, too.

 

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/news/promise_consultation_announced.aspx

[quisquose]

Interesting article by Derek Twine, the chief executive of the Scout Association, in today's Telegraph:

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9719079/Time-for-a-Promise-that-atheists-can-keep.html

 

Time for a Promise that atheists can keep

 

Letting non-believers into the Scouts keeps faith with the values set out by Baden-Powell

 

No other group aside from non-believers is excluded from the Scouts on the grounds of religion or belief. We already welcome those with no faith as associate members and into a variety of support roles. But what we are looking at now is whether there might be a way of extending full membership to more people. We believe that there are many people in this situation in the UK who could otherwise support Scouting’s fundamental values, which explicitly include helping young people in their exploration of faiths, beliefs and attitudes, and our method, which includes sharing in spiritual reflection.

 

What’s the point of making some people feel hypocritical or dishonest if they take a Promise with which they fundamentally disagree? Earlier this year we were proud to announce Scout clothing that was appropriate for Muslim young women to wear when Scouting. It was a reflection of our founding principle to move with the times, and it’s been welcomed by all.

 

I wonder if cgksheff now agrees with Derek Twine when he wrote "What’s the point of making some people feel hypocritical or dishonest if they take a Promise with which they fundamentally disagree?"

[SevenRivers]

Good on the Scouts and Guides, shows they are moving with the times.