Boy's Brigade / Scouts for Atheists?

[andrew1707]

Anybody know if any similar groups exist that are suitable for atheists or at least don't teach the kids fairy stories.

I was in the Boy's Brigade (quite a few years ago) and enjoyed it. Sadly I had to leave 'cause I got so much grief about not going to Sunday School.

I just checked out the web sites for the BB and Scouts and both seem to be rather too religious for my liking.

[andrew1707]

Ah.... that should be Boys' Brigade...tsk tsk.

[Mosaic]

I believe the Woodcrarft Folk exist for this bracket:
http://www.woodcraft....syz0q8CFYpjfAodelLTIw
Unfortunately as far as I can make out they are only taken up by middle-class lefty pinko yogurt-knitters and are in desperate need of a marketing and publicity makeover.

[maggiebee]

So far as I am aware, the Boys' Brigade is based on Christian teachings and religious education is part of their syllabus. It is expected that the boys will attend Sunday School. My son-in-law is a BB leader and that's certainly the way they work. Not sure about the Scouts, apart from saying many scout troops are attached to churches.

[wolf63]

Start a group/cult that will suit your beliefs.

[andrew1707]

But Wolf, what would happen if I started a group but my kids didn't want to join!!!

Perhaps young Frankie and Merlin would like to join?

a

[VHG]

My son was in the beavers, cubs, scouts and is now in 18+ network and dont believe they ever "pushed" the religious side too much.

However this may vary from place to place, some may do it more than others.

And remember with Muslims and others joining the scouts they cant be too specific about religion.

[tonyav]

Cats are def atheists.

[wolf63]

Francis is grounded for the time being - little boys are a pain and do nothing but cause trouble.

[wolf63]

tonyav - cats are not atheists. Each cat knows that he/she is God and should be obeyed.

[tonyav]

OK.

[andrew1707]

@Mosaic
Just checked out the Woodcraft Folk web site. I ain't learning to knit yogurt for anyone.

I suppose I will just keep my big fat mouth shut just like I had to when it came to Baptism, Catholic School, Confirmation, Brownies etc

bah!

[annie0000]

Apart from the oath to god and the queen, the scouts don't really have anything to do with religion - I think there is the occasional badge they can opt to do that focusses on religous things but that's it. My kids are in scouts now and have been through beavers and cubs and have never stepped in a church yet. They are about family, friends, fun and community. I know the BBs are affiliated to the church and do expect attendance at sunday school and a fair bit of marching too!! I'd give the Scouts a try. My boys love it - plenty of camping and outdoor stuff :o)

[annie0000]

.....and yoghurt knitting not required!!!!

[missnemesis]

Both my children went through Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. My youngest went on to be an Explorer Scout, a Young Leader, is now part of Network (for the over 18's) and is awaiting her Warrant to become a fully fledged leader. Being from a non Christian background we have had numerous discussions re the 'Promise' etc with leaders and at no point were there any objections to either of my children becoming part of the association on religious grounds. They were never subjected to fairy stories just well rounded spiritual discussion. I would have had plenty to say had it been otherwise.

In fact the biggest hurdle they faced (not from their own troop but certainly from others ) came from being female! Go figure!

[andrew1707]

Thanks Annie, I am a little bit reassured now.

Luckily I have kids who can think for themselves so perhaps I should just let them do that.

[Hopey79]

I am a Captain of a Boys Brigade. It is a Christian Organisation, however you don't have to be a christian to go! At my company i have both church goig and non church going officers and boys. And although we do some devotional type activities - stories for the bible, end of evening prayer - we certainly don't 'Ram' it down peoples throats, and i would never ask someone to leave, if they didn't go to church. Those of us that are Christians are very open about this, and just tell the boys that if they have any questions they know where to come. I have nearly 80 boys on my books, (35 aged between 11-18), i would like to think that i am doing something right.

The important thing is that they come to us each week and aren't on the streets creating merry hell. I lot of my past boys have been successful with jobs etc due to the charatisitcs that was brought out of them through going to Boys Brigade.

[Mosaic]

I have a muslim friend who is an organiser in the Girl Guides. For what it's worth to the discussion.

[jno]

Boys Brigade is definitely church-oriented, but Scouts are only as religious as the average Brit - ie, not very.

[naomi24]

….. although the Scouts do claim to promote, among other things, the spiritual well-being of the individual.

http://scouts.org.uk/cms.php?pageid=6

[atalanta]

Scouts expect you to make a promise which mentions God, but doesn't specify which one. hence the muslim children.
There are a number of moves afoot at the moment to get the Scout movement to leave out the mention of God.
This weekend's newsletter from the National Secular Society mentions them.