Scouts Canada - "No Atheists Allowed"

[SebC]

Jedi FTW.

Or just put N/A and see where it goes.

[macker]

Originally Posted by DementedReality

actually, i am not an atheist so I would be included. however, i have a problem with organizations using their influence on children in a religious manner. overtly or covertly, its all the same.

religion belongs in the home.

i respect everyone's right to their religion, in fact if you want to pray to a doorknob, have at it and i will respect it. just keep it out of my life.

Ok, so what I am saying is that I think you are being misled here...I have been to the secret meetings and I have yet to learn anything new about religion aside from how Muslims, Jews, and Hindu's celebrate Christmas. All they need to do is add Atheists but I don't think they celebrate anyway. Don't blow things out of proportion....the reality is this is not a big deal. The Kids are going to be ok and they won't pick up any bad religious habits....

[photon]

Someone should send them an email and check then, since it says right on their website that atheists aren't accepted.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by macker

Ok, so what I am saying is that I think you are being misled here...I have been to the secret meetings and I have yet to learn anything new about religion aside from how Muslims, Jews, and Hindu's celebrate Christmas. All they need to do is add Atheists but I don't think they celebrate anyway. Don't blow things out of proportion....the reality is this is not a big deal. The Kids are going to be ok and they won't pick up any bad religious habits....

I think we're getting sidetracked here, Troutman who's an atheist wants his kids to go, knowing all that.

But if they refuse his kids over that fact, thats just wrong. I have yet to hear a good reason to why Scouts should discriminate against atheists or even gays.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Thor

I think we're getting sidetracked here, Troutman who's an atheist wants his kids to go, knowing all that.

But if they refuse his kids over that fact, thats just wrong. I have yet to hear a good reason to why Scouts should discriminate against atheists or even gays.

Private organizations should get to do what they want in regards to belief.

[Nancy]

My friend was a scout leader and he was a diehard athiest. Religeon played no role in their chapter. My brother in law was a scout leader in Vancouver and quit after he was confronted because he and his son were athiests. I believe his chapter was sponsored by a church, and I think that may be the key factor here. You may want to find out more about this particular chapter and find another if it is affiliated with a church.

[stang]

DO athiests celebrate Christmas? Easter?

[macker]

Originally Posted by Thor

I think we're getting sidetracked here, Troutman who's an atheist wants his kids to go, knowing all that.

But if they refuse his kids over that fact, thats just wrong. I have yet to hear a good reason to why Scouts should discriminate against atheists or even gays.

I think I posted that it is likely a case of their wordings being a little outdated and the Atheist push back is a more recent development. I don't think they are intentionally discriminating but have yet to have someone challenge them on this. I don't see any reason why they wouldn't want new paying members regardless of their beliefs and ones beliefs are a hard thing to prove anyways. I don't know very much about Atheism but aren't you allowed to lie in that religion

[Thor]

Originally Posted by peter12

Private organizations should get to do what they want in regards to belief.

They have that right, and if there's no public funding there's little we can do other than speak against this discrimination, especially when its to do with kids of all things.

There's certainly a lot of people within Scouts Canada it seems trying to democratize Scouts and make it more inclusive.

Of course there are alternatives to Scouts as well that don't discriminate.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by macker

I don't know very much about Atheism but aren't you allowed to lie in that religion

LOL... it's not a religion, and that would depend on your definition of "allowed" and the atheists personal morals/values. One atheist might not allow himself to lie, another might. Certainly, there is no outside authority that prohibits it... other than parents and such.

[photon]

There is a gay scout troop out east btw.

I hope it's just a case of outdated wording on their site.

[The Ditch]

I guess it depends on the chapter I remember growing up, having a friend in it and most of their meetings and such were in a church and there was a heavy religious influence.

[CaptainCrunch]

I was a scout for a week, until I found out that they didn't have artillary or the ability to call in air strikes on the neighbourhood girl scouts.

[Kerplunk]

Last time I checked the group in our area didn't give a flying leap about religious background....then again the group also side-steps as much stupidity from head office as possible. Scouting can be a great program with the right leaders, so just sign them up anyway.

[macker]

Maybe there is a market for :
Christian Scouts
Islam Scouts
Secular Scouts
Hindu Scouts
Judaism Scouts
Buddhism Scouts
Atheist Scouts etc. etc. etc.

We can then slot our kids accordingly. I think they will be most comfortable in this type of setting and their beliefs will be least impacted..

[mykalberta]

Let us know what happens and how prominent religion is.

I believe in God but dont believe in the Church. I would have serious reservations about enrolling my children in an organization that pushed a certain brand of religion. I have never been in any groups like that as they either wernt offered where I grew up or my parents purposefully didnt enroll us because of it. I dont know anyone who has been in these groups, with the exception of cadets.

You could enroll them in cadets - not sure if they are made for them that young, from people I have heard from it was a great experience.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Thor

They have that right, and if there's no public funding there's little we can do other than speak against this discrimination, especially when its to do with kids of all things.

There's certainly a lot of people within Scouts Canada it seems trying to democratize Scouts and make it more inclusive.

Of course there are alternatives to Scouts as well that don't discriminate.

Exactly.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by stang

DO athiests celebrate Christmas? Easter?

I cant speak for other athiests but I do celebrate christmas and easter with my family. as far as I am concerned there is nothing very religious in the way we, or most people for that matter, celebrate. Nothing more than getting together with family and eating good food.

[photon]

Cadets don't start until a bit older, but they are a good experience as well.

[Burninator]

Are the scouts a fully private organization? I know the Scouts claim to be in the US, but they get all kinds of hand outs from the government.