Interfaith Worship Religious Diversity in Scouting

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John GreenWood Badge Diversity Ticket ItemS5-420-13Piedmont Council, BSA

Interfaith Worship

For prayers, reflections, and worship services in Scouting we take our guidance from the Declaration of Religious Principle provided by the Boy Scouts of America.

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Declaration of Religious Principle

Section 1. Activities, clause 2:

The activities of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion, as required by the twelfth point of the Scout Law, reading, "Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others."

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Interfaith Service

If services for each faith group are not available, an interfaith worship service is recommended.

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Interfaith Service

Scripture, prayers, hymns, and all other parts of the worship should be considerate of everyone present and respectful of all religions.

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Test Your Knowledge

Let's take a quiz - just for fun.

We’re not going to record any scores or grades.

Let’s just find out how much we know.

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True or False

The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.

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True or False

The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God.

TRUEThis is a direct quote from the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.

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Multiple Choice - choose the correct answer(s)

The 12th point of the Scout Law includes the following responsibilities:

a. personal religious obligations

b. duty to country

c. respect for the beliefs of others

d. all of the above

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Multiple Choice - choose the correct answer(s)

The 12th point of the Scout Law includes the following responsibilities:

a. personal religious obligations

b. duty to country

c. respect for the beliefs of others

d. all of the above

The 12th point of the Scout Law reads, “Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.”

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Multiple Choice - choose the correct answer(s)

The word “nonsectarian” means

a. nondenominational

b. ecumenical

c. not affiliated with any specific religion

d. all of the above

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Multiple Choice - choose the correct answer(s)

The word “nonsectarian” means

a. nondenominational

b. ecumenical

c. not affiliated with any specific religion

d. all of the above

Nondenominational - is for all Protestants

Ecumenical - is for all Christians

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True or False

In accordance with their agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, some places of worship that charter Scouting units can require members of their units to participate in religious ceremonies and services distinctive to that place of worship.

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True or False

In accordance with their agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, some places of worship that charter Scouting units can require members of their units to participate in religious ceremonies and services distinctive to that place of worship.

FALSEThis is clearly stated in the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America.

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True or False

Some religions have specific requirements that cannot be fulfilled through an interfaith worship service. Other arrangements might be necessary for Scouts of those faiths to fulfill such commitments.

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True or False

Some religions have specific requirements that cannot be fulfilled through an interfaith worship service. Other arrangements might be necessary for Scouts of those faiths to fulfill such commitments.

TRUE

The best way to become knowledgeable about a person’s religious beliefs is to inquire about them.

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True or False

Of the eight major religions in the world, all are represented in the BSA’s religious emblems program.

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True or False

Of the eight major religions in the world, all are represented in the BSA’s religious emblems program.

FALSEFive of the eight major religions have religious emblems for Scouts to earn: Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity have programs.

Confucianism, Taoism, and Shintoism do not because the number of adherents to those faiths in the United States is relatively small.

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Major Religions

Hinduism:• has over 900 million adherents worldwide.• has no single founder, no single scripture, and no

commonly agreed set of teachings.• accepts all forms of beliefs hence, Hinduism is

devoid of the concepts of heresy and blasphemy.

Salvation: perform works without regard for personal gain.

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Major Religions

Buddhism:• focuses on personal spiritual development• has 376 million followers worldwide• follows the path of the Buddha who went on a quest

for Enlightenment around the sixth century BC

Salvation: To reach Nirvana you must follow the Noble Eightfold Path. All eight points are human works based like in Hinduism.

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Major Religions

Islam:• revealed by the Prophet Muhammad• followers are called Muslims• means 'submission to the will of God’• 2nd largest with over 1 billion followers

Salvation:

Judgment – maybe paradise after enduring Hell or die as martyrs defending and go directly to paradise.

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Major Religions

Christianity:• world's biggest religion, with about 2.1 billion

followers worldwide• based on the teachings of Jesus Christ

Salvation: a free gift given to us by God through the sacrifice of his son Jesus. Christianity offers absolute assurance of heaven and eternal life.

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Major Religions

Judaism:• has around 13.1 million followers.• God appointed the Jews to be his chosen people in

order to set an example of holiness and ethical behavior to the world

Salvation: Live a holy and righteous life dedicated to Yahweh, the God of Creation. Fast, worship, and celebrate during the appropriate holidays. Do not believe in an afterlife but do believe in a resurrection when the Messiah comes.

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Major Religions

Mormonism:• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was

founded in 19th Century America• has over 12 million followers• use the Bible but mostly their own text, the Book of

Mormon

Salvation: Grace comes to the Mormon by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross but salvation is only possible through belief in and following the traditions of the Mormon church.

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What other faiths have you encountered in Scouting activities?

Which ones would you think you'd be mostly likely to come into contact with at:

• Summer Camp• Philmont• National Jamboree• World Jamboree

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Are Faith specific prayers okay or should we be more general?

In my opinion, it's not that faith specific prayers and reflections are improper, but there are situations in which they could be discourteous and inconsiderate.

Scouts respect the differences in the way people express their faith.

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Are Faith specific prayers okay or should we be more general?

So can I pray in the name of Jesus or not?

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3 Options for an Interfaith Prayer

1 . Pray an existing Interfaith Prayer"May the Great Scoutmaster of all Scouts be with us until we meet again.”

2. Moment of SilenceTell the audience to use the moment of silence to express their thanks, each in their own fashion and reflect on their own faith

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3 Options for an Interfaith Prayer

3 . A prayer that is specific to your faith.Make sure you inform the audience that the prayer is a reflection of your personal faith.

Make it clear that what you'll be saying is not an imposition on the faith of others present but simply a way to share what you believe.

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Learn More

Consult the Manual for Chaplain Aides and Chaplains for more information on scouting.org

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Interfaith Worship Religious Diversity in Scouting

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Any Questions?