Duty to God Resources
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Religious Emblem- Youth
Religious Emblem- Adult
Statements by Lord Baden-Powell
"The Scout, in his promise, undertakes to do his duty to his king and country only in the second place; his first duty is to God. It is with this idea before us and recognizing that God is the one Father of us all, that we Scouts count ourselves a brotherhood despite the difference among us of country, creed, or class. We realize that in addition to the interests of our particular country, there is a higher mission before us, namely the promotion of the Kingdom of God; That is, the rule of Peace and Goodwill on earth. In the Scouts each form of religious is respected and its active practice encouraged and through the spread of our brotherhood in all countries, we have the opportunity in developing the spirit of mutual good will and understanding.
"There is no religious "side" of the movement. The whole of it is based on religion, that is, on the realization and service of God.
"Let us, therefore, in training our Scouts, keep the higher aims in the forefront, not let ourselves get too absorbed in the steps. Don't let the technical outweigh the moral. Field efficiency, back woodsmanship, camping, hiking, Good Turns, jamboree comradeship are all means, not the end. The end is CHARACTER with a purpose.
"Our objective in the Scouting movement is to give such help as we can in bringing about God's Kingdom on earth by including among youth the spirit and the daily practice in their lives of unselfish goodwill and cooperation."
Scout
Oath
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On my honor I will do my best
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to do my duty to God and
my country
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and to obey the Scout Law;
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to help other people at all times;
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to keep myself physically strong,
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mentally awake, and morally straight.
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Scout
Law
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A Scout
is
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Trustworthy
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Obedient |
Loyal
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Cheerful |
Helpful
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Thrifty |
Friendly
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Brave |
Courteous
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Clean |
Kind
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Reverent |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
The BSALegal.org web site has a page of Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) which answers questions about the BSA's relationship
to religion and God.
[ http://www.bsalegal.org/faqs-195.asp ]
 Red Skelton Comedian, Actor, Patriot |
Red Skelton -
The Pledge of Allegiance
From the Red Skelton Hour, January 14, 1969
"Getting back to school, I remember a teacher that I had. Now I only went, I went through the seventh grade. I left home when I was 10 years old because I was hungry. (laughter) And .. this is true. I worked in the summer and went to school in the winter. But, I had this one teacher, he was the principal of the Harrison school, in Vincennes, Indiana. To me, this was the greatest teacher, a real sage of..of my time, anyhow.
He had such wisdom. We were all reciting the Pledge of Allegiance one day, and he walked over. This little old teacher ... Mr. Lasswell was his name. He said:
"I've been listening to you boys and girls recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester and it seems as though it is becoming monotonous to you. If I may, may I recite it and try to explain to you the meaning of each word?
| I | me, an individual, a committee of one. |
| Pledge | dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity. |
| Allegiance | my love and my devotion. |
| To the Flag | our standard, Old Glory, a symbol of freedom. Wherever she waves, there's respect because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts freedom is everybody's job. |
| of the United | that means that we have all come together. |
| States | individual communities that have united into 48 great states. 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose, all divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that's love for country. |
| of America and to the Republic | Republic ... a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people. |
| For Which It Stands One Nation | One Nation ... meaning, so blessed by God. |
| Indivisible | incapable of being divided. |
| With Liberty | which is freedom, the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation. |
| And Justice | the principle or qualities of dealing fairly with others. |
| For All | For all ... which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine. |
And now boys and girls let me recite, the "Pledge of Allegiance."
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance - "under God." Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer," and that would be eliminated from schools, too?"
Philmont Grace
For Food
For Raiment
For Life
For Opportunity
For Friendship
For Fellowship
We thank Thee, O Lord.
Amen.
Philmont Scout Ranch, B.S.A.
Scout Benediction
Troop in circle formation.
Leader: "May the Great Master (all Scouts make gesture toward Heavens) of all Scouts (inclusive gesture from right to left at height of shoulders) be with us 'till we meet again (right hands brought to heart and heads bowed)."
His Holiness Pope John Paul II“I assure you of my own personal appreciation of Scouting as a magnificent experience and form of social and religious commitment.”
A Scoutmaster's Prayer
A little boy came knocking at my Scout room door.
An awfully little fellow, just twelve and no more.His eyes danced as he watched my gang at rowdy play.
" I would like to be a Scout," he said, "I’m twelve just yesterday.In the weeks to come he found his place, a trim young Scout he made.
The tests he passed with eagerness, a thorough job sure paid.The oath, the laws, the knots and flag, were taken to his heart.
A better man he was sure to be tho he’d just begun to start.By the candle lighted darkness I watched his round face beam
As the oath and law he pledged to keep - just like a prayer it seemed.The years to come were happy ones as we followed the trail -
That greater men had laid for us far up where eagles sail.I watched him grow from boy to man, the days were far too few,
To try to teach the important things that Scouting said were true.I didn't’t know so long ago our nation he would defend,
I only saw a job to do, a helping hand to lend.Now he’s flying higher still with silver wings up there.
I pray to God the job I did was better than just fair.He thanked me once for what I did so many years ago.
It was not his thanks that paid me because he did not knowThat greater thanks he’d given me a thousand times before
By his dancing eyes and smiling face - could one ask for more?There are other boys a-knocking, I must invite them in.
Please, God, give me strength to make them better men.
Scouters Prayer, Author Unknown
Build me a Scout, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,
and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid;
one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a Scout whose wishes will not take the place of deeds;
a Scout who himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,
but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
Here let him learn to stand up in the storm;
here let him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a Scout whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high.
A Scout who will master himself before he seeks to master others,
one who will march into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray,
enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.
Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true wisdom,
and the meekness of true strength.
Then I, a Scouter who knew him, will dare to whisper:
" I have not lived in vain."
Camper’s Prayer
God of the mountains and hills, make me tall and strong.
Tall enough and strong enough to right some wrong.
God of the stars, make me steadfast and sure.
God of every lake and stream, flow through my life and make it clean.
God of the trees and woods, keep me fresh and pure.
God of the rain, wash from my life all dirt and stain.
Pure and strong let me remain.
God of the seed and soil, plant in my heart Thy love.
God of the darkness and day, through shadows or light, be my stay.
Guide Thou my way.
God of the radiant sun, light Thou my life.
God of the glorious dawn, make each day a fresh start.
God of the evening peace and quiet, keep me free from fear and strive.
God of the carefree birds, sing in my heart.
God of the surging waves and sea, wide horizons give to me.
Help me to see the world as Thou would have it be.
God of the lovely rose, make me lovely, too.
God of the morning dew, each day my faith renew.
God of all growing things, keep me growing, too.
Resource Materials
Relationships
Division
The Relationships Division of the Boy Scouts of America web site provides
a number of resources related to the concept of Duty to God listed below.
LDS Relationships Web Site
This site was designed to support those individuals who serve as leaders
in units chartered to wards and branches of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. We will continue to update the information, share
policy statements, summarize quotes on Scouting in the Church and provide
you with the ability to order materials from the BSA - LDS Relationships
office.
Religious
Emblems
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups
have developed the following religious emblems programs. The Boy Scouts
of America has approved of these programs and allows the emblems to be
worn on the official uniform. The various religious groups administer
the programs. Check with your local council service center or contact
the religious organization directly to obtain the curriculum booklets.
Interfaith
Worship Service
This sample Interfaith Worship Service was extracted for the Troop
Program Resource CD published in 1999
Training
the Chartered Organization Representative
An outline for an orientation course designed to familiarize Chartered
Organization Representatives with Scouting's purpose, mission, structure,
programs, and more.
Scout
Sunday Observance
The Boy Scouts of America designates the Sunday that falls before February
8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as Scout Sunday, which is the primary date
to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting.
2007-2010
Calendar of Religious Dates
A list of dates and religious observances that must be adhered to by
the individual.
The
Roles of the Troop Chaplain and the Chaplain Aide
The chaplain and chaplain aide have an opportunity to be a friend to
the Scouts and leaders and to contribute to their spiritual welfare and
growth.
Manual
for Chaplain Aides and Chaplains
This manual will orient volunteers to the duties, responsibilities, and
opportunities of chaplaincy service in Boy Scout troops.
The
Good Shepherd Baptist Adult Recognition
The Good Shepherd Emblem is a national recognition for adults who have
rendered outstanding service to Baptist youth through their church and
a national youth-serving agency.
The
St. George Emblem
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting awards this emblem to members
of the laity and clergy who have made outstanding contributions to the
spiritual development of Catholic youth in Scouting.
Fact
Sheets
These Fact Sheets provide detailed and up-to-date information about
religious organization's involvement in Scouting.
Reverence Pamphlet This is a resource for Interfaith, Christian, Jewish and Muslim worship. This book is intended for use by Troop Chaplains and Chaplain Aides, and other leaders planning Scouting events in an Interfaith setting -- such as Blue and Gold Banquets, District Camporees, Order of the Arrow events and district and council meetings at which opening or closing prayers are offered. |
Strength for Service to God and Country A daily devotional book written by leading protestant ministers in 1942 along with 40 additional contributions from women, Roman Catholic clergy, African-American and other ethnic leaders, and leaders of other faith groups. "Strength for Service to God and Country" is a book with a remarkable heritage. Well over 1 million copies of its early editions were published soon after the December 7, 1941 attack upon Pearl Harbor and distributed to armed services personnel during WWII and the Korean conflict. One sailor held on to that book for many years and gave his tattered underlined copy to his fifteen-year-old grandson, a Boy Scout, who for his Eagle Service Project, decided to honor his grandfather's memory by introducing this powerful collection of devotions to a new generation of American military personnel and public servants. |
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A Faith Like Mine From Buddhist to Protestant, Sikh to Sunni, A Faith Like Mine explores the world's religions through the experiences of children, providing fascinating information about their beliefs, places of worship, sacred texts, festivals, and holy days. Using simple language and colorful photographs, this book shows how humanity's faiths are different and how they are the same. |
A Scout is Reverent Prayer Manual This prayer guide is two sided, one side for Cub Scouts then flip the booklet and the other side is for Boy Scouts and Venturers |
Welcome to P.R.A.Y.
P.R.A.Y.'s
mission is to encourage the spiritual growth of young people. Browse
our web page to locate the religious growth programs recognized by
the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and Camp Fire
USA and discover ways to promote these programs and to build partnerships
between the religious community and the national youth agencies.
