It seems it is not acceptable to ban homosexuals, colored people or Muslims(quite rightly) but when it comes to non believers its perfectly acceptable to discriminate.
Scouting is not a religious thing, it is an outdoor/survival/male youths having fun & learning, thing. If they even let females into a male social club I can't see why they should be allowed an excuse to ban non-believers of dieties.
@Boo - well thats not much of an argument really is it? This is not some cast in stone never changing must obey all we all die or civilisation plunges into chaos rule - this is adapting your oaths to accomodate all, whatever their faith or none.
Rules and Laws are there for good reason, but that does not mean they should not be reviewed, challenged and revised if circumstances change.
AOG, //The Scouts movement is bases on Christian beliefs, and it would be totally unacceptable to allow non-believers into it.//
You do realise they let anyone who believes in any God in? They're not fussy about what the children believe - as long as they believe in something. It's only atheists they exclude.
/// I'm more than happy to keep my Athiest kids away from the scouts. ///
Isn't that a rather selfish attitude to take, doesn't a caring parent give their children a chance to make up their own minds on various things, for instance, if they wish to join the scouts or even if they wish to believe in God?
Like it or not the scouts attracts weirdos.
I'm one of those parents that interacts with his kids rather than palms them of for someone else to do my job.
If a child can be believed and taken seriously that they have a genuine belief in a god, then you should afford them the same respect, and take it as a genuine statement if they profess atheism.
Doing otherwise, AoG, as you seem to be doing , would be patronising.
"Like it or not the scouts attracts weirdos.
I'm one of those parents that interacts with his kids rather than palms them of for someone else to do my job. "
Wow!
There's been some dumb comments on AB in the time ive been here, but that takes some beating!
Of course they are but there are certain organisations in which they can blend into the background and carefully choose their opportunities.
The scouts being one of them.
I would think my kids do as much or more than most kids do.
I just prefer to be with them....and shock horror, they like me to be there too.
Actually, I think it's rather sad that any organisation formed specifically to benefit young people should consider banning any child. If they feel they have something to offer - and I think they do - they really should welcome all children.