Axe man or big chopper

[ringzero]

As for the Christian aspects of Scouting, that will vary greatly from Troop to Troop even in the same local Council.

There are Scouts all over the world reflecting whatever the local religions may be:  Hindu, Bahai, Buddhist, etc.

My Troop was based at a Protestant church, but we had Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, and agnostic scouts.

.

It certainly does vary.  My Boy Scout troop was based at a VFW post.  There were lots of lessons in honesty and morality, but not so much religion.  I never really thought about that--if there had been that religious influence, I probably would not have stayed around nearly as long as I did, as I am an agnostic.

IMHO, the function of religion in Scouting is similar to the function of religion in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Longtime AA members will tell you how important it is that they acknowledge the existence of some Power beyond our mundane human existence.

The details of whatever religion is involved aren't that important, just the acceptance that there exists some Higher Power.  Acceptance of a Higher Power helps to curb human arrogance and wantoness, and serves as a basic foundation for morality.

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[Tarrodemierda]

yep i respect that opinion too,its everymans freedom of choise and thats the way it should be.
i just happen to think there aint no higher powers,no fate.theres just you and what u choose to do and what u agree to do,and choises u cant make yourself if youre lookin at the barrel of a gun,physically or mentally.i dont believe a word in 2000 yrs old book but hey if u do,im not the hater.i may be intrested of things u arent,and i may have my own code of honour,and u have your own and that aint no problem,we just have to get along without  big conflicts.

[Sea Monster]

yep i respect that opinion too,its everymans freedom of choise and thats the way it should be.
i just happen to think there aint no higher powers,no fate.theres just you and what u choose to do and what u agree to do,and choises u cant make yourself if youre lookin at the barrel of a gun,physically or mentally.i dont believe a word in 2000 yrs old book but hey if u do,im not the hater.i may be intrested of things u arent,and i may have my own code of honour,and u have your own and that aint no problem,we just have to get along without  big conflicts.

I think avoiding arguments is for sissies and you're all wrong about everything 

Nah, you kids are cool, even if you do carry stupid little red knives.


Anyway, I've always been of the Ash Williams School of Bushcraft.

[Tarrodemierda]

i dont dodge a fight,no sir but i dont drive my self into them on purpose 
and i Dont carry red pocket knives.

[NutSAK]

As for the Christian aspects of Scouting, that will vary greatly from Troop to Troop even in the same local Council.

There are Scouts all over the world reflecting whatever the local religions may be:  Hindu, Bahai, Buddhist, etc.

My Troop was based at a Protestant church, but we had Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, and agnostic scouts.

.

It certainly does vary.  My Boy Scout troop was based at a VFW post.  There were lots of lessons in honesty and morality, but not so much religion.  I never really thought about that--if there had been that religious influence, I probably would not have stayed around nearly as long as I did, as I am an agnostic.

IMHO, the function of religion in Scouting is similar to the function of religion in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Longtime AA members will tell you how important it is that they acknowledge the existence of some Power beyond our mundane human existence.

The details of whatever religion is involved aren't that important, just the acceptance that there exists some Higher Power.  Acceptance of a Higher Power helps to curb human arrogance and wantoness, and serves as a basic foundation for morality.

.

IMHO that is the function of religion period, not just the function in Boy Scouts.  IMHO (again) The Boy Scouts should be a place for learning, not to help kids "change direction", as in AA.

[ringzero]

As for the Christian aspects of Scouting, that will vary greatly from Troop to Troop even in the same local Council.

There are Scouts all over the world reflecting whatever the local religions may be:  Hindu, Bahai, Buddhist, etc.

My Troop was based at a Protestant church, but we had Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, and agnostic scouts.

.

It certainly does vary.  My Boy Scout troop was based at a VFW post.  There were lots of lessons in honesty and morality, but not so much religion.  I never really thought about that--if there had been that religious influence, I probably would not have stayed around nearly as long as I did, as I am an agnostic.

IMHO, the function of religion in Scouting is similar to the function of religion in Alcoholics Anonymous.

Longtime AA members will tell you how important it is that they acknowledge the existence of some Power beyond our mundane human existence.

The details of whatever religion is involved aren't that important, just the acceptance that there exists some Higher Power.  Acceptance of a Higher Power helps to curb human arrogance and wantoness, and serves as a basic foundation for morality.

.

IMHO that is the function of religion period, not just the function in Boy Scouts.  IMHO (again) The Boy Scouts should be a place for learning, not to help kids "change direction", as in AA.

IMHO that is A function of religion - not necessarily the primary function or the most important function.  I'm pretty much agnostic myself, so I doubt that it'd be worthwhile to veer off into a detailed discussion of religion here.

Unfortunately, nowadays many boys who enter Scouting do need a change of direction.

Many boys have no father present in their lives and some have never even met their fathers.  Many have had little or no consistent training in basic morality, honesty, and respect for others.  Boy Scouts can change some of these boys lives - some, not all.

.

[Tarrodemierda]

"Unfortunately, nowadays many boys who enter Scouting do need a change of direction.

Many boys have no father present in their lives and some have never even met their fathers.  Many have had little or no consistent training in basic morality, honesty, and respect for others.  Boy Scouts can change some of these boys lives - some, not all."


yes,i think youre spot-on about that.

[NutSAK]

My point was more that I don't agree with the comparison of religion in AA to that of Boy Scouts, as not all of the boys need a change in moral direction.  There are many ways to teach morals to children that do not involve the use of religion.

That is all I will say on the subject.

[Sea Monster]

"Unfortunately, nowadays many boys who enter Scouting do need a change of direction.

Many boys have no father present in their lives and some have never even met their fathers.  Many have had little or no consistent training in basic morality, honesty, and respect for others.  Boy Scouts can change some of these boys lives - some, not all."

I don't see why you have to lump those of us who knew & had fathers in the "moral, honest & respectful" camp,

We're perfectly capable of being utterly indecent human beings!

[ringzero]

"Unfortunately, nowadays many boys who enter Scouting do need a change of direction.

Many boys have no father present in their lives and some have never even met their fathers.  Many have had little or no consistent training in basic morality, honesty, and respect for others.  Boy Scouts can change some of these boys lives - some, not all."

I don't see why you have to lump those of us who knew & had fathers in the "moral, honest & respectful" camp,

We're perfectly capable of being utterly indecent human beings!

I didn't lump anyone into the "moral, honest & respectful" camp - that's a faulty inference on your part.

I'm completely willing to regard you as an "utterly indecent human being" whatever the status of your relationship with your father.  ;>

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