things to do….
Just got back in from Tim O’lenick’s Eagle Court of Honor. Went well, a few snafu’s… but it was the first time we had tried that format, and had not done a rehearsal, so it really went ok. Only thing that really irritated me was a group prayer event, done by the District Chairman. First time I know of him doing this, from all the Eagle Courts I’ve seen or heard of him being at. During his presentation, he and the two other district representatives put their hand on Tim’s shoulder and did a quick little prayer. I know Jim is a highly religious person, and while being a different religion than Tim(with a name like O’lenick you can guess what), and Tim earned two religious awards, but…. it was partly too touchy feely for me, and party too overtly religious. A scout is reverent, but we don’t make it the whole of the activity.
Of course, most Scout Troop’s these days are sponsored by a religious organization, mostly either Catholic or Mormon. I don’t have percentages, but that is the way it seems. My troop, 441 in Downey, is sponsored by a group who’s sole purpose for existing is to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop, the Old River Men’s Club of Downey. It’s membership is mostly Catholic, but it has never been entirely and many times not even majority so.
I do not think I would of stayed in scouting if I was a part of a religiously sponsored group.
But I digress. The ORMC has a membership problem right now. It’s dwindled quite a bit over the past few years, and now is mostly just dad’s whose kids are out of the troop. We need to rebuild, and then see where we grow from there. Do we try to make the ORMC a full on service organization like the Rotary Club, or do we stay just sponsoring a Scout Troop and Cub Pack. By the time I return from NC, I am going to write up a general plan for both directions…..
There, it’s on my to do list! I must now finish this.
May 1st, 2005 at 4:04 pm
If I’d been there, it would’ve bothered me too. There are many different ways to express “reverence” in this life, and I think a group prayer like that is quite short-sighted.
However, in this “faith-based” country we have going now (another thing that personally makes me sad), I’m doubt Christianity in the Scouts upsets too many people.