Our atheist promised land?
FOR decades new members of the Scouting movement have pledged to serve God.
But that could soon change.
As previously reported in the Post, the Scout Association is considering an atheist promise. Guides could also lose all references to God and the Queen from their promise.
A poll on the Post's website shows opinion divided. Of 133 responders at thisisnottingham.co.uk, 43 per cent thought Scouts and Guides should promise to serve God, while 57 per cent disagreed.
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The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Right Reverend Paul Butler, said: "The Church has long and deep relationships with uniformed organisations like the Scouting and Guiding movements. We value these greatly as they are superb organisations for children and young people.
"I fully understand why these movements want to enable all children to belong if they wish, so recognise why an alternative promise for some might be helpful.
"I am delighted, though, that the traditional promise to God remains within the Scout promise and I am sure will continue to be the preferred choice by most.
The Venerable Peter Hill, Archdeacon of Nottingham, said: "We don't need to have a restriction in the promise, preventing people who don't believe in God to join the movement."
The choice was welcomed by several Scouts in Notts.
Matt Rooney, county commissioner for Notts Scouts, said: "We have around 400 kids on the waiting list in Notts.
"A new promise, suitable for atheists, could encourage more adult volunteers to get involved which would mean we could start more groups."
The Scout consultation ended at midnight yesterday and the Guides', at www.girlguiding.org.uk/news/promise_consultation_now_open.aspx, ends on March 3 at
What do you think of the proposed changes? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk
5 Comments
by BLawrenson
Saturday, February 02 2013, 5:58PM
“What I find scary is that there are a lot of people who cannot accept that others should be entitled to make their own choices as long as they don't force them on others. I do hope that both you and dooglepip are putting in the voluntary hours to help our younger generations achieve their potential and bring people together.”
by MR_B_NOTTM
Saturday, February 02 2013, 8:53AM
“it is quite scary BLawrenson that there is still some people that actually believe that there is a God and that the fictional character Jesus did exist. worrying....”
by BLawrenson
Friday, February 01 2013, 4:08PM
“Will you be volunteering to be a Scouter and help young people once there is a change then Dooglepip ? As you will have read there is a need for more Scouters to reduce the waiting lists.”
by dooglepip1
Friday, February 01 2013, 12:53PM
“fantastic news. religion has no place in today's society. it was created many years ago for one reason and that reason was to scare and control people. good riddance.”
by BLawrenson
Friday, February 01 2013, 10:29AM
“The Scout Promise has been in existence for over a hundred years and has been taken by millions of young people. I am proud to still renew my Promise every year, it being the same Promise my father first took in 1915. It would, however, be a shame if the Promise, in it's present form, is a barrier to youngsters enjoying the same benefits of Scouting that I enjoyed over the years. I would like to see young people having a choice of an alternative so that the world wide movement can enable more people to be a friend to all. After all a Promise is meaningless if you do not believe in what you are saying.”