Philmont Grace

The Traditional Grace used at Philmont: (Also known as the Wilderness Grace, or the Worth Ranch Grace)


For food, for raiment
For life, for opportunity
For friendship and fellowship
We thank thee, O Lord

What this Blog Is for, and what it is NOT for

The reason I started this blog was as a resource for those who would like to learn more about how to scouting and faith can work together, how we as scouters can support our scouts while they learn about their faith, whatever it may be, and how we as church members can support the scout units we support.

I did NOT start the blog as a place for people to fight over various controversies, whether it's the BSA stance on homosexual scout leaders, or GSUSA councils working with Planned Parenthood, or something else. I've received a few comments and Facebook Posts that I had to remove, because they were not relevant to the topic of the blog. I've got my own views on these issues, but they aren't germane to the topic of this blog.

 If you want to talk about those sorts of controversies go right ahead, but find your own spot to do so. It's a big Internet, and you can probably find a few dozen sites that already have ongoing discussions about any controversy you want to discuss.

Reverent

A Scout is Reverent.
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

Community of Christ Religious Emblem Programs

The Community of Christ, Also Known as the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has a single Religious Emblem called "World Community"

Light of the World is for 8-10 year olds

Path of the Disciple is for 11-14 year olds

Exploring Community Together is for 15-18 year olds



There are Devices worn on the Ribbon of the Medal to indicate each of the three levels earned.


Visit their website to find out more about their religious Emblem program, including all of the requirements to earn it at each level.

Baden Powell on Gratefulness

From Baden-Powell, in Scouting for Boys

In doing your duty towards man, be helpful and generous, and always be grateful for any kindness done to you, and be careful to show that you are grateful. Remember again that a present given to you is not yours until you have thanked the giver for it.

When is the last time you took a few moments to thank God for what he has given you?

The Golden Rule in many faiths

When Introducing scouts to the idea of an Interfaith service, it can be very tricky for them to understand. Most have only grown up with a single faith, and may not be as exposed to the faiths of others. One brief example to give them is the Golden Rule. There are many ways to express it, and most of the world's religions contain that sentiment in some form or fashion. (Thanks to MacScouter.org for the list)

Blessed are those who prefer others before themselves. -- Baha'i Faith

Hurt not others in ways that you would you yourself would find hurtful. -- Buddhism

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. --Christianity

This is the sum of all duty: treat others as you yourself would be treated. -- Hinduism

No one of you is a believer until you desire for another that which you desire for yourself. -- Islam

In happiness and suffering, in joy and grief, regard all creatures as you would regard your own self. -- Jainism

What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. -- Judaism

Be not estranged from another for God dwells in every heart. -- Sikhism

Human nature is good only when it does not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self. -- Zoroastrianism 

No, it doesn't mean that all religions are interchangeable or that it doesn't matter which you follow... But we do have some commonalities among them.

The Story behind God Bless America

I like to highlight Scouting Songs on the Blog from time to time. For the the 4th of July, I thought I'd tell about something that involves Religion, Patriotism and Even Scouting.

God Bless America

God bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home
God bless America, My home sweet home. 

This CNN Story tells more details about the origins of the song, as well as how it ties into scouting.

In 1938, the vocalist Kate Smith was looking for a song to sing on her coast-to-coast CBS radio program to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Armistice Day. She asked Berlin if he would write something for her.

He remembered a song he had begun years before, and had discarded. He brought it out and went back to work on it.

Thus it was that, on the CBS radio network one November night, Kate Smith delivered the first public performance of Irving Berlin's "God Bless America."

The acclaim was immediate and electrifying. The world was on the verge of a terrible new war; all over the United States, people heard Berlin's song and took it to their hearts.

He understood what a valuable property he had on his hands.

And he quietly made a firm decision:

He never wanted to make a penny from it.

He wanted whatever success the song had to be his gift to the nation he adored.

"He believed that the United States had rescued his life," Laurence Bergreen, author of the Berlin biography "As Thousands Cheer," told me. "This was his genuine patriotic gesture. He had a real soft spot for America, and this is how he expressed it."

Berlin instructed attorneys to draw up papers. He wanted to guarantee that every cent "God Bless America" ever earned went to a place that he thought would help to make the country's future brighter and stronger. In those months leading up to the U.S. entry into World War II, he selected the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts to receive the song's earnings -- specifically, he wanted the royalties to go to Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs in impoverished and disadvantaged areas.

His binding legal instructions are in effect to this day, 73 years after "God Bless America" was first sung by Kate Smith and 22 years after Berlin's death. So far, there has been more than $10 million distributed to Scouting programs, and it's still coming in.

The Scout Law Prayer

I came across something that some of you may wish to use with your scouts. It would be great at a Scouts Own Service, or a Scout Sunday.

Dear Lord, Bless all those everywhere who contribute to shape the hearts, minds and bodies of young people. Let us remember what they have taught and apply it daily.

When facing deceit and dishonesty, let us be Trustworthy.
If we see hypocrisy and faithlessness, let us be Loyal.
Where disregard of others and mere materialism prevail, let us be Helpful.
When we find people in despair, let us be Friendly.
In an atmosphere of ill manner, let us be Courteous.
Where some measure manliness in brutality and crudeness, let us be Kind.
Though lawbreaking and rule-scoffing are common, let us be Obedient.
While others grumble and grouch, let us be Cheerful.
In an environment blighted by waste and extravagance, let us be Thrifty.
When confronted with danger and temptation, let us be Brave.
As we see filth and pollution everywhere, let us be Clean.
While witnessing impiety, let us remember to be Reverent.

In short, in a world that has for generation after generation lamented the lack of good examples, let us, as Scouts, stand out, grow up, and be real adults.

Amen.

How to tread lightly while inquiring about a family's faith

One of the tricky parts about incorporating Faith into a Scouting program is that modern society has made it a taboo subject. For example, a Teacher would probably get fired if they asked everyone in their class what faith their family was.

While many families who are in a religion that is common in your area may speak about it casually, other families in a less mainstream faith might have a concern about bringing it up. 

At the website Scouting For God they suggest including it on a survey form, along with a number of other similar "Getting to know you" questions. For example:

• What activities are you involved in?    
• What religion does your family practice? If so, what church/temple/mosque do you attend?
• Do you have any food allergies? If so, what?  
• Do you have any food restrictions or preferences (e.g. vegetarian, non-beef, non-pork, vegan, kosher)?  
• Anything else that you want the Troop/Pack to know about you?

It can be a lot less confrontational to ask about it that way, along with a number of other questions that help you get to know the family and their needs better.

Clean

A Scout is Clean.
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.


Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false, and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and vindication from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:3-5)