Religious activities for non religious kids.

My kids are in scouts.

They love scouts.

Recently a woman has come in as an assistant leader (she is christian) and she is enforcing the prayers and smurf in scouts, the leaders don't really care and are letting her do whatever. They've never done any of this in the last 2 years they've been at scouts.

When my kids and I discuss what they believe in, in regards to god and whatnot.. my oldest tells me that he doesn't believe in the bible god, but he does think there is more out there...

Where as my youngest son isn't sure about any of it and doesn't know how he thinks yet. Fair enough, he's only young.

But that's my problem. I don't want them influenced into religion at all by scouts and pulling them out isn't an option.

What would you do?

Should I talk to them about it and say I don't want them involved in the religious aspect of scouts as it's never been in there before? Should they just go with it? My oldest has to write a prayer and he's rather uncomfortable doing so.

I told him that he could write the "prayer" to what ever he does believe, whether it's the universe or multiple gods/goddesses. That it doesn't have to be the bible version of god.

He still.. really doesn't want to  .

WWYD?

I would find another troop or a different activity. 4-H maybe?

I would speak up.
Scouts are a non-religious organisation and shouldnt have any religious activities going on. (barring christmas/easter etc as they are commercial 'religious' things) and by enforcing prayers and such they are forcing a religion into impressionable minds. Might aswell bring in a pastor and call it church.

i would speak up too. ESPECIALLY since your kids dont want to. im not religious at all, but my kids go to church and stuff with the family (SOs family is very religious)however, if they didnt want to, i wouldnt make them

<blockquote><b>Quoting Manda♥Bella:</b>" I would speak up. Scouts are a non-religious organisation and shouldnt have any religious activities ... [snip!] ... prayers and such they are forcing a religion into impressionable minds. Might aswell bring in a pastor and call it church."</blockquote>


I dont know if it is different in australia, but they are religious in background here.

Quoting Amberchik78:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Manda♥Bella:</b>" I would speak up. Scouts are a non-religious ... [snip!] ... call it church."</blockquote> I dont know if it is different in australia, but they are religious in background here."

as far as i'm aware they arent a religious organisation in america either, i have many friends with kids there who do scouts.

Even if they are though, they shouldnt be forcing religion on kids like that

You could speak up, but I'm not really sure what the policy is on that kind of thing.

It seems like you're already doing an okay job of letting them express their own beliefs. Maybe you could encourage them to look at this as a teaching experience about what other people do believe. Maybe you could even take it a step further and do some fun activities at home that cover a couple of other religions or belief systems they might find interesting.

I sometimes consider myself a Christian but I'm not overly religious. I have a very hard time trying to decide what I believe most of the time, but I grew up in a church and I often THINK that I believe in God. Probably. Maybe. Exploring my faith and trying to figure out what I believe has been a huge struggle to me, so I've put a lot of thought into what I want to teach my child about the topic. I hope to teach him about many belief systems and somehow let him know that it's okay to choose his own, or come up with his own, while always being honest about what I believe in or do not believe in. Different kids will handle this different ways, though. Some kids are so eager to please that they'll take on anyone else's beliefs to do so. Others are very good at being self-aware and making their own decisions.

Good luck 

Quoting Manda♥Bella:" as far as i'm aware they arent a religious organisation in america either, i have many friends with ... [snip!] ... have many friends with kids there who do scouts. Even if they are though, they shouldnt be forcing religion on kids like that"

Well, the scouts have their own prayer that's been around since Bayden Powell started the scouts in 1907 or something.

There are two prayers he has to memorize.

The first prayer isn't too bad, it's just:

I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to my God, and to Australia
To help other people and
To live by the scout law.

See that one isn't too bad.. but the other one:


A SCOUT PRAYER
Almighty and everlasting God,
By whose grace thy servants are enabled to fight
The good fight of faith and ever prove victorious;
We humbly beseech thee so to inspire us
That we may yield our hearts to thine obedience
And exercise our wills on thy behalf.
Help us to think wisely,
To speak rightly,
To resolve bravely,
To act kindly,
To live purely.
Bless us in body and soul
And make us a blessing to our comrades.
Whether at home or abroad
May we ever seek the extension of thy kingdom.
Let the assurance of thy presence
Save us from sinning,
Strengthen us in life and comfort us in death.
O Lord our God, accept this prayer
AMEN


As you can see.. it's really over the top.

I'd speak up and say something that you and your children are not Christians and do not feel comfortable praying to the Christian god and being made to participate in Christian activities.
If they put up a fuss as them how they would feel if someone with a different religion came in and started shoving their religion down their throats.

Quoting Manda♥Bella:" I would speak up. Scouts are a non-religious organisation and shouldnt have any religious activities ... [snip!] ... prayers and such they are forcing a religion into impressionable minds. Might aswell bring in a pastor and call it church."

Pretty much how I feel. There is no reason for prayer in a kids event. If they brought prayer into my child's school, ballet classes or soccer team... I would be making a big deal about it. People are entitled to their faiths and that is completely fine. However it should be designated to a place where people can make the choice of walking in the doors to learn about it... oh yeah... church! Kids are impressionable. It's completely disrespectful to impose your beliefs onto someone else and damaging to do so to a child who is not at a level to comprehend and come to their own conclusions about their beliefs. I would be livid that on top of it all the individual isn't just exposing them to her beliefs... but she is trying to enforce them to do "homework" essentially by writing their own prayer?! How about she teaches them to tie knots, light campfires and pitch tents... Sounds more scout like if you ask me. I don't think "God" is going to save them from the elements should they be in a survival situation.

I would bring it up, scouts is a non denominational organisation open to anyone regardless of religious belief, forcing children to be involved in prayer and such is wrong. I know over here it is actually against the law to force prayer on anyone.

Quoting The Great Moustachio:" Well, the scouts have their own prayer that's been around since Bayden Powell started the scouts in ... [snip!] ... us in life and comfort us in death. O Lord our God, accept this prayer AMEN As you can see.. it's really over the top."

Oh Jesus. Either say something, switch troops or find another group/club like the boy scouts. You can say what you want to your kids, but people tend to get influenced when they are outnumbered. Especially children. Now if she had a Christian activity now and again, I would say fine. It's ok to be exposed to different religions. But That chanting everyday, to me is alarming. And I know how you feel, it sucks to be the one to make waves when everyone else seems ok with it.

Quoting The Great Moustachio:" My kids are in scouts. They love scouts. Recently a woman has come in as an assistant leader (she is ... [snip!] ... or multiple gods/goddesses. That it doesn't have to be the bible version of god. He still.. really doesn't want to  . WWYD?"

I would talk to the Troop Leader (Is that what there called?) And express your concerns, I'd also talk to your kids and let them know that everyone has different beliefs, And that participating in them doesn't mean they to have to believe it, That they are still free to make up their own minds, And take in other peoples perspectives.

I am not religious at all, I don'tgo to church or anything, But when the school has there religious class on (I think it's some old ladies that come in once a week to talk about things, And give them little bible related activity books and whatnot) I let them go, Because i want them to be open to other peoples opinions and beliefs, And respect them whether they have the same beliefs or not, And to feel free to form their own. There is no harm in participating, But if your child doesn't want to, Let him sit aside during these times.

Quoting McLeary:" Oh Jesus. Either say something, switch troops or find another group/club like the boy scouts. You can ... [snip!] ... everyday, to me is alarming. And I know how you feel, it sucks to be the one to make waves when everyone else seems ok with it."

Agreed! If the leader wants to continue that's fine, but at least have some other activities for non-religious children that parents can request they do during prayer or other religious activities.

Ok ladies, thanks!

I'll talk to him about it next week