Interfaith Worship Services Les Thorpe Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Chaplain Aide Why do we include religious services in Scouting?

BP wrote about this in 1908. Saying "No man can be really good, if he doesn't believe in God and he doesn't follow His laws. This is why all Scouts must have a religion". (Scouting for Boys, 1908) It’s also addressed in our BSA’s Charter and Bylaws.

Interfaith Worship Service Diversity and Inclusiveness Worship ? INTERFAITH: Charlie Fleet’s presentation yesterday about Leveraging Diversity Through Inclusiveness. An Interfaith Worship Service is all about using Diversity and Inclusiveness! As you will see, it is a great example of this. Interfaith means it is completely non-sectarian. It is not a Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Taoist or any other single faith service but rather it includes aspects of many faiths. WORSHIP: Some may say that an Interfaith Worship Service is just a watered down religious service. The goal of an IFWS is to inspire Scouts and Scouters to fulfill the Twelfth Law Scout Law, A Scout Is Reverent and to do so by incorporating diverse expressions of reverence. Scouting’s goal is not to teach religion, that is the responsibility of the Scout’s home and religious institutions. A Scout is Reverent

Planning an Interfaith Worship Service BP had some very good suggestions Let’s take a look at some of them

“We do not want any kind of imposed church parade!”

“It should be a voluntary uplifting of their hearts.”

It should “inspire a desire to seek inspiration and strength for greater love and service for others.”

“. . . Go by the pace of the youngest Scout”

It should be Smiley and Cheerful.

Short hymns Understandable prayers

BP said the message should be a talk not a sermon. It should “grip the boys, so that they may laugh or applaud as the spirit moves them so that they may take a real interest in what is said.” Finally, BP said “If a man cannot make his point to keen boys in ten minutes or less he ought to be shot.” (googled it and could not find one that was shot).

Leveraging Diversity in an Interfaith Worship Service

These symbols represent only 14 of the more than 700 organized religions in the world.

Our Scout Units are becoming more and more diverse as globalism increases.

Seek input from Scouts and Scouters of different faiths in your units.

Include them and/or their ideas in your IFWS. Settings for IFWS’s should promote reverence. Let’s look a examples.

Small groups

Don’t forget to invite the neighbors.

Rehearse Your IFWS should not take more than 30 minutes.

It is appropriate to take an offering for the World Friendship Fund that supports Scouts around the world.

Have You Seen the Light? How enlightened are you when it comes to knowing and applying the religious principles of the Boy Scouts of America? It is a little more involved than simply understanding the 12th point of the Scout Law.

Have you seen the light? True or False The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. 27

Religious principle Answer: TRUE: The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no person can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and, therefore, acknowledges the religious element in the development of youth members. However, the BSA is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious development. Its policy is that the organization or institution with which youth members are connected shall give definite attention to their religious life. Only adults willing to subscribe to this declaration of principle and the Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America shall be entitled to certificates of leadership. 28

Have you seen the light? 2. Choose the correct answer(s) The 12th point of the Scout Law includes the following responsibilities: a. personal religious obligations b. duty to country c. respect for the beliefs of others d. all of the above 29

Boy scout handbook Answer: a and c. A Scout is reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others. Wonders all around us remind us of our faith in God. We find it in the tiny secrets of creation and the great mysteries of the universe. It exists in the kindness of people and in the teachings of our families and religious leaders. We show our reverence by living our lives according to the ideals of our beliefs. Throughout your life you will encounter people expressing their reverence in many different ways. The Constitution of the United States guarantees each of us complete freedom to believe and worship as we wish without fear of punishment. It is your duty to respect and defend the rights of others to their religious beliefs even when they differ from your own. 30

Have you seen the light? 3. Choose the correct answer(s) The word “nonsectarian” means a. nondenominational b. ecumenical c. not affiliated with any specific religion d. all of the above 31

“absolutely nonsectarian” Answer: c. A non-denominational service: is for Protestants, possibly appropriate for all Christians. An ecumenical service: one suitable for the whole Christian church. A nonsectarian service: one not affiliated with any specific religion. Correct answer c Three main branched of Christianity: the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Eastern Church, the Protestant churches. 32

Have you seen the light? 4. Choose the correct answer(s) Which of the following could be a violation of a religious belief? recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America removing one’s hat when indoors and/or during a meal expecting everyone to taste a particular food attending a program event or activity on a Saturday drinking coffee, tea, or cola 33

Have you seen the light? Answer: All the above could be a violation. 5. True or False In accordance with their agreement with the Boy Scouts of America, some places of worship that charter Scouting units can require members of their units to participate in religious ceremonies and services distinctive to that place of worship. 34

BSA By-laws: Answer: False “In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faiths be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church.” 35

Have you seen the light? 6. True or False An interfaith worship service is one that all Scouts and Scouters may attend. It requires careful planning to ensure that it does not violate the beliefs of any religion. Answer: True 7. True or False Some religions have specific requirements that cannot be fulfilled through an interfaith worship service. Other arrangements might be necessary for Scouts of those faiths to fulfill such commitments. 36

Have you seen the light? 8. True or False Of the eight major religions in the world, all are represented in the BSA’s religious emblems program. Answer: False 37

Have you seen the light? 9. Choose the correct answer(s) “Duty to God” and “religious duties” are in: a. The Cub Scout Promise e. The Venturing Oath b. The Law of the Pack f. The Venturing Code c. The Scout Oath g. All of the above d. The Scout Law Answer: all except b. 38

A Scout is Reverent