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Scouting For A Promise

UK Scouting has launched a survey to ask whether an alternative version of the Scout Promise should be developed for atheists and those unable to make the existing commitment.
Full details of the changes and a link to the (unnecessarily complicated) survey is at Scouting.org.
The survey queries the necessity of a 'special' version of the scouting promise for the non religious, as is currently available to potential Woggle wearers of the Muslim or Buddhist brands of dogma.
I thought I'd offer my thoughts.
As you might expect, I find this wholly abhorrent. This change, and all other "special measures" taken by those wishing to seem more secular, identifies difference instead of encouraging unity. As far as I'm concerned there should be only one oath/promise and only one set of laws that apply to all.


The Scout Association Promise
OriginalMy Revisions
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best,
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people,
And to keep the Scout Law.
On my honour, I promise that I will do my best,
To do my duty to justice and integrity,
To help other people,
And to keep the Scout Law.


Scouting Association Law
OriginalMy Revisions
A Scout is honourable, truthful and reliable.
A Scout is loyal to the Queen, his/her Country, his/her Parents, his/her Officers and to comrades high and low.
A Scout is helpful to others, whatever it may cost him/her.
A Scout is a friend to all and a brother/sister to all Scouts.
A Scout is courteous to all.
A Scout is kind to animals.
A Scout is obedient and follows orders from his/her Parents and Officers promptly.
A Scout is cheerful and takes trouble with a trusting grace.
A Scout is self reliant and a good steward of his/her possessions.
A Scout is upright in his/her conduct.
A Scout is honourable, truthful and reliable.
A Scout is loyal to honourable, truthful and reliable comrades high and low.

A Scout is helpful to others, whatever it may cost him/her.
A Scout is a friend to all and a brother/sister to all Scouts.
A Scout is courteous to all.
A Scout is kind to animals.
A Scout is obedient to the honourable, truthful and reliable and follows orders promptly.
A Scout is cheerful and takes trouble with a trusting grace.
A Scout is self reliant and a good steward of his/her possessions.
A Scout is upright in his/her conduct.

As I see it, identifying difference is the way of the past; it's ancient, embedded tribalism trying to poke its snotty, medieval nose into, what could be, an extremist free future.
To achieve a promise that promotes unity, one must omit any and all preconceived differences; use a wording with which all can identify and thereby feel comfortable repeating.
As far as I'm concerned this is basic stuff but for the Scouting Association and, as you know, not only to them, it still seems...

This is one of the Too Many Questions
PEACE
Crispy

Thanks to Brian Pearce of Secular Wales for the heads up on the Secular Society's article on the topic.


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