Comments on: Scouting for Girls http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls A Blog of Atheist Thought Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:41:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: cry4turtles http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90953 cry4turtles Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90953 1st post, WooHoo! The GS was not like that when I was there (70's). I guess they're following somebody's dumbass lead (BS?). 1st post, WooHoo! The GS was not like that when I was there (70’s). I guess they’re following somebody’s dumbass lead (BS?).

]]> By: fosters24 http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90958 fosters24 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90958 So you're complaining about the Girl Scouts using the word god in one fo their pledges? If that's the worst we have to worry about then things are pretty good. I wonder, do the Girl Scouts recieve taxpayer money? If not, is it really any of our business? I mean I agree that any group that recieves public funds should not be allowed to discriminate in any way, especially those damned faith based charities, however, if a group doesn't recieve any public funds, it should be allowed to set any membership If you don't approve, no one's forcing you to sign your kid up. Then again, maybe we could start some sort of Atheist scouts... So you’re complaining about the Girl Scouts using the word god in one fo their pledges? If that’s the worst we have to worry about then things are pretty good. I wonder, do the Girl Scouts recieve taxpayer money? If not, is it really any of our business? I mean I agree that any group that recieves public funds should not be allowed to discriminate in any way, especially those damned faith based charities, however, if a group doesn’t recieve any public funds, it should be allowed to set any membership If you don’t approve, no one’s forcing you to sign your kid up. Then again, maybe we could start some sort of Atheist scouts…

]]> By: suttsteve http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90959 suttsteve Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90959 It would be nice if these groups would use phrases such as "to serve my god," instead of referring seemingly to just one, specific god by saying things like, "to serve god." It would just be a more professional way to word their pledges, if they have to have unnecessary god-talk in them, to begin with. It would be nice if these groups would use phrases such as “to serve my god,” instead of referring seemingly to just one, specific god by saying things like, “to serve god.” It would just be a more professional way to word their pledges, if they have to have unnecessary god-talk in them, to begin with.

]]> By: fosters24 http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90960 fosters24 Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90960 Internet ate some of my post. I meant if they don't recieve public money, they should be allowed to set any standards for membership they want. Internet ate some of my post. I meant if they don’t recieve public money, they should be allowed to set any standards for membership they want.

]]> By: what http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90965 what Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90965 Fosters<br /> <br /> A grocer has the right to sell only chocolate ice cream and if the customers want strawberry they have the right to ask for it. So ask. Fosters

A grocer has the right to sell only chocolate ice cream and if the customers want strawberry they have the right to ask for it. So ask.

]]> By: dsilverman http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90975 dsilverman Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90975 Fosters,<br /> <br /> Yup. No law has been broken here, it just that the GS may not be all I thought they were. Consider yourself more informed.<br /> <br /> D Fosters,

Yup. No law has been broken here, it just that the GS may not be all I thought they were. Consider yourself more informed.

D

]]> By: Merlyn_LeRoy http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90979 Merlyn_LeRoy Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90979 The Girl Scouts voted in 1993 to allow changes in the promise; this was the same timeframe as atheists in the Boy Scouts. The BSA went to court to keep atheists out; the GSUSA voted (1560 to 375) to stay inclusive.<br /> <br /> See http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DA1E3AF936A15753C1A965958260<br /> <br /> The GSUSA also has to stay in good terms with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which they are a member of, and which has a vague, mealy-mouthed 'spiritual' requirement of their member organizations. The GSUSA tells WAGGGS that they have one, but they also admit atheists.<br /> <br /> Both WAGGGS and WOSM will probably continue to run into more problems, especially in countries where:<br /> 1) scouting programs are government-run, and;<br /> 2) atheists can't be discriminated against by the government<br /> <br /> The Girl Scouts voted in 1993 to allow changes in the promise; this was the same timeframe as atheists in the Boy Scouts. The BSA went to court to keep atheists out; the GSUSA voted (1560 to 375) to stay inclusive.

See http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE1DA1E3AF936A15753C1A965958260

The GSUSA also has to stay in good terms with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, which they are a member of, and which has a vague, mealy-mouthed ’spiritual’ requirement of their member organizations. The GSUSA tells WAGGGS that they have one, but they also admit atheists.

Both WAGGGS and WOSM will probably continue to run into more problems, especially in countries where:
1) scouting programs are government-run, and;
2) atheists can’t be discriminated against by the government

]]> By: craigfis http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90984 craigfis Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90984 In reply to Fosters24: Yes, they're perfectly within their rights (if not government funded) to only admit theists. But what is the point of doing so? It really has nothing to do with what Girl Scouting (as I understand it) is about. In reply to Fosters24: Yes, they’re perfectly within their rights (if not government funded) to only admit theists. But what is the point of doing so? It really has nothing to do with what Girl Scouting (as I understand it) is about.

]]> By: craigfis http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90985 craigfis Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90985 In reply to SuttSteve:<br /> "to serve my god" would be no better to me - I have no god and nor does my daughter.<br /> <br /> Note that they say (on their website, but not on their registration form!) that "The word "God" can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one's spiritual beliefs", which presumes that one must have spiritual beliefs. I don't have any spiritual beliefs and I'm pretty sure my daughter doesn't - unless belief in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny count.<br /> <br /> In reply to SuttSteve:
“to serve my god” would be no better to me – I have no god and nor does my daughter.

Note that they say (on their website, but not on their registration form!) that “The word “God” can be interpreted in a number of ways, depending on one’s spiritual beliefs”, which presumes that one must have spiritual beliefs. I don’t have any spiritual beliefs and I’m pretty sure my daughter doesn’t – unless belief in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny count.

]]> By: Spacemom http://atheists.org/blog/2008/10/27/scouting_for_girls/comment-page-1#comment-90999 Spacemom Unknown, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-90999 The official position is that a girl may substitute ANYTHING there, from "To Serve God" to "to honor the earth" to "To Serve Adinoi" to "respect all people" to whatever you want to say. <br /> <br /> <br /> I am a Girl Scout Leader and I am a agnosticish person (not quite atheist). I make sure every parent in my Girl Scout troop knows that any religion, all religion or not religion is allowed. If someone is uncomfortable with saying the promise as stated, I will work with that parent to come up with something that fits what they wish to say. I generally suggest to "respect all people" as that is kind of what most people want anyway.<br /> <br /> Really, NO BODY IS FORCED TO SAY WHAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN! We are far more inclusive than other groups. The official position is that a girl may substitute ANYTHING there, from “To Serve God” to “to honor the earth” to “To Serve Adinoi” to “respect all people” to whatever you want to say.

I am a Girl Scout Leader and I am a agnosticish person (not quite atheist). I make sure every parent in my Girl Scout troop knows that any religion, all religion or not religion is allowed. If someone is uncomfortable with saying the promise as stated, I will work with that parent to come up with something that fits what they wish to say. I generally suggest to “respect all people” as that is kind of what most people want anyway.

Really, NO BODY IS FORCED TO SAY WHAT THEY DON’T BELIEVE IN! We are far more inclusive than other groups.

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