Not sure what we’re doing this weekend. Tentatively, we’re planning to attend the Girl Scouts Rededication Ceremony that I blogged about last week. I say tentatively because, as I explained in that post, we recently discovered that one of the pledges that the girls recite involves vowing obedience to God – which, of course, poses a problem for families like ours without spiritual beliefs. So, earlier in the week, after asking my daughter for her thoughts, I sent an email to the troop leader that went like this:
Dear (___),
I have a question about the Rededication Ceremony. As our family doesn’t have any spiritual beliefs, I was wondering how to handle the Law pledge with (Sweet Pea) as I noticed it has a religious component. She told me that she doesn’t want to stand out in a conspicuous way, but she also doesn’t want to say things she doesn’t believe. I thought about having her skip the ceremony this year, but she has also expressed interest in attending the event. I’m not sure how to handle this. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks again,
Lynn
Not sure why I haven’t heard back from her. She does work full-time, and she has a pretty busy schedule, as far as I can tell. It’s just that she usually gets right back to me when I have a question… Hopefully, this’ll all work out as Sweet Pea loves being a Girl Scout.
The leader contacted me (yes, she had been very busy at work) and was very good about offering alternatives; skipping the passage, etc — or not participating this time at all since my daughter is new to GS and was never ‘initiated’ in the first place (I was wondering about that also.) We chose to skip the ceremony this time; next time, my daughter can basically choose to skip or rephrase the religious part.
I was very impressed with how the leader responded so thoughtfully to our concerns.
Ugh, I’m sick and tired of disappearing comments. I wrote a novel here and it didn’t publish it. And now I’m too lazy.
Well, anyway, my daughter is thinking about quitting, because she doesn’t want to be the only one saying serving good instead of god, and because her troop leader was in a crummy mood. And I’m all for her quitting, because I can’t stand GS money making tactics and politics anyway. I’m havin my eye on Campfire…. we’ll see.
//Ugh, I’m sick and tired of disappearing comments//
What do you mean?
//…my daughter is thinking about quitting, because she doesn’t want to be the only one saying serving good instead of god…//
Groan. I’m so sorry. Give her a big hug from me – and tell her that I think she’s terrific. I loved the “Good” idea and think that if the GS had any sense at all, they’d replace their version with hers.
[...] Caught sight of a blog from a non-religious family that has their daughter in Girl Scouts and deals …. While I think I can confidently say I agree with almost nothing the blogger mom has written she is funny and obviously brings up the issue of what happens when Girl Scouts has to actually work with a non-religious family. It’s not enough to simply say certain things are optional because there are feelings of children and protective parents to deal with in the real world. What are the practical considerations? [...]
Both the Boy and Girl Scouts were founded with reverance for God as one of their principles. Both have held on to that principle to this day. Neither organization tries to “force” a religion on anyone. But both have strongly held that a duty to God is a requirement for a Scout. I mention the Boy Scouts here because you can’t achieve the Eagle rank if you’re an atheist. There is a duty to God, and by your own admission, you’ve not fulfilled that duty.
After reading this post, I still don’t understand why you would want your child to be a part of an organization that differs from your family on such a core value. It doesn’t refer to a specific name for God, but it does refer to a deity. How does it benefit your child to teach her to pick and choose what parts of the promise she feels like reciting? It’s not her promise, it’s the Girl Scout promise. You’re either in or you’re out.
I’ll stop short of a political rant, but this is where some groups want established institutions to abandon their core beliefs to fit their beliefs, or their lack thereof. I don’t understand why you’d want to even be a part of it. Or is it that your intent is to bring it down? I’m asking – I really don’t understand.
Whether or not you believe in God is your business (I’ll explain why you’re wrong if asked ; ) ), but you can’t expect an institution to change to accomodate you, and I don’t think it helps to teach the kids to make false or half-hearted promises.
I’m Catholic. Not like Joe Biden, but actually believe and follow what my church teaches. And to raise my kids to according to my beliefs, I have to be counter-cultural. And so do you. To be true to the beliefs you claim, you’re going to exclude yourself from certain associations. This would seem to be one of them. Granted, most of what the Girl Scouts do is not of a religious nature, it’s there in their Promise, in “who they are”. To be true to yourself or your family, I would think that you don’t belong in Girl Scouts. I don’t say that to be mean. I don’t think your family or your daughter should be shunned in any way. Just that this particular group wouldn’t be right for you.
Scout groups aren’t just a social organization, they teach character. And the values that they teach are in conflict with yours. Again, I don’t mean this to be mean or rude or unwelcoming. I just don’t understand why you would seek out the association with the Girl Scouts, knowing what they stand for? (Or at least used to.)
my response to Eric’s comments
Eric, Girl Scout officials have stated that atheists can join the GSUSA, and that “god” in the promise can be changed to something that fits in better with the girl’s own beliefs, which includes atheist girls.
The Girl Scouts don’t kick out atheists, it’s the Boy Scouts who do.