Programs and Supports

This section is intended to provide access to two types of resources that are available for promoting a Scout's "Duty to God": program opportunities either within or offered in conjunction with Scouting, and materials available to help Scouters make the most of these program opportunities.

Program Opportunities

Although "reverence" toward God is frequently included in many scouting activities (such as invocations and "graces" over food in many settings), two basic program features are available that specifically and directly relate to giving Scouts an opportunity to fulfill their "duty to God," namely the "Scout's Own" service and the "Religious Emblems" awards offered in conjunction with the P.R.A.Y. program and other religious communities. The first of these, as a component of the Scouting program, needs to follow closely the purposes of recalling our duties before God without moving into the area of specific religious instruction that Scouting properly recognizes as the responsibility of a Scout's own family and faith community. The "Religious Emblems" awards, precisely because they are directed by specific faith communities, correctly deal with instruction in how a Scout is to reverence and honor God within that particular religious tradition. Links are provided at the left to respective pages on this site to help Scouters with both these program opportunities.

Materials for Developing Program Opportunities

One of the first lessons that everyone must learn is to avoid the necessity of "re-inventing the wheel." There is no need to expend time and energy creating program materials for use in a local program that are readily available to be shared from other successful programs. A great blessing of the 21st century is the amount of information that is readily available in so many forms, and the closely related bane is the immense volume of that information and the equally broad range of its quality. Links are provided at the left to provide access to both "Websites" and "Books" that Scouters can turn to in helping with their program development.

Also available from the "Websites" page are links to a variety of organizations of Scouters committed to promoting Scouting in conjunction with the values of specific religious communities. These links provide ways to 'network' with other Scouters who may share your particular interests.

Supporting Our Fellow Scouts

It is hoped that over time this website can serve as a kind of "clearing house" where Scouters can share suggestions and resources that they have found helpful in promoting the Scouting value of "reverence" in their units. If you have resources to suggest, please forward them to the webmaster of this site at: reldivbsa@hotmail.com

Copyright © 2005 Scouting and Religious Diversity
Last modified: 10/10/05