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From having a son who went up through Scouts to Eagle (which he didn't do for his own reasons) I have to state that the "religious" aspects were nonexistent, at least in his troop, which was sponsored by the American Legion post.
If your son wants to do Cubs, let him. He may like it. Or not. The things they do should outweigh any concerns you might have. People don't have their kids do Scouts for religion.
As a note, my Troop was sponsored by a church some would consider evangelical (this was in the 1960s when religion played a much larger role in society) and religion wasn't pushed even back then.
My question for the OP is whether her son recites the Pledge of Allegiance, which has an equivalent mention of god as in the Boy Scout pledge, at school. Of course the difference there is that by law a student can't be required by a school to say the Pledge, but the BSA being a private organization can impose any requirements they like. They could require that the Scouts have to stand on one foot and hop six paces sideways before doing a given activity, if they wanted to.
If your son recites the Pledge without thinking about the "under God" component of it, perhaps he'd regard the Boy Scout pledge the same way, i.e., not in a religious context?
It's a tough call either way re: your son's reaction to a refusal to let him join. Do you think you could get away with convincing him to wait until next year (first grade) and see if he still wants to do it? He may just be reacting to the event at school and/or to the fact that some of his friends are saying they want to join.
OP, who is a "he", wishes his son had never been introduced to the Boy Scouts. Then he wouldn't have to say "no". See the thread in the parenting forum.
OP, who is a "he", wishes his son had never been introduced to the Boy Scouts. Then he wouldn't have to say "no". See the thread in the parenting forum.
That is correct.
I appreciate the other responses but this topic isn't about whether my son should join the Cub Scouts. We've made up our minds and he will not be joining. I am inquiring as to if other parents would contact the principal over their concerns about the BSA recruiting in the classroom.
I think it is OK To contact the principal and let him/her know that BSA is not tolerant of all beliefs, and therefore perhaps should not be recruiting during class time.
However, I also think it is Ok to allow your son to participate while explaining that some people have supernatural beliefs, while others do not. Your son will most certainly be learning this at some point.
My SO was an Eagle scout, and did not grow up to be a theist.
I appreciate the other responses but this topic isn't about whether my son should join the Cub Scouts. We've made up our minds and he will not be joining. I am inquiring as to if other parents would contact the principal over their concerns about the BSA recruiting in the classroom.
Wait until the school has them selling wrapping paper or Joe Corbi pizza. You'll long for the days when Cubs were recruiting.
I appreciate the other responses but this topic isn't about whether my son should join the Cub Scouts. We've made up our minds and he will not be joining. I am inquiring as to if other parents would contact the principal over their concerns about the BSA recruiting in the classroom.
Sorry for both the gender mislabeling and the topic-jump; my bad, on both.
As for contacting the principal, I myself would not because it'd probably be a waste of time and energy. However, my viewpoint may be colored by the fact that I have a family member who is a teacher and regularly expresses her opinion of "parents who try to overreach into administrative matters." Her view, which I tend to agree with, is that if a parent objects to an administrative policy or decision, the best way is for the parent to run for the school board in the next election cycle and try to change things at the source.
One or even a few sets of parents objecting to an administrative decision is unlikely to change anything in my part of the country (very blue state where teachers unions etc are extremely strong) unless there is credible fear of a lawsuit therefrom. So I would be the pragmatist if in your situation and in picking my battles would pass on this one.
I'm not saying it is necessarily a constitutional issue and that they have to be kept from recruiting during school hours. By that same token, nothing says the school has to allow them to recruit. I would imagine it is up to the principal or superintendent's discretion if they want to tell them no to recruiting in school. My question is whether I should raise the issue.
The circuit court originally found that the May 4, 1999, BSA school hour recruiting visit violated Petitioners' rights under the U.S. Constitution First Amendment Establishment Clause, but later held that there is no remedy for the wrong.
So, it's unconstitutional, but apparently up to the school and school board.
Sorry for both the gender mislabeling and the topic-jump; my bad, on both.
As for contacting the principal, I myself would not because it'd probably be a waste of time and energy. However, my viewpoint may be colored by the fact that I have a family member who is a teacher and regularly expresses her opinion of "parents who try to overreach into administrative matters." Her view, which I tend to agree with, is that if a parent objects to an administrative policy or decision, the best way is for the parent to run for the school board in the next election cycle and try to change things at the source.
One or even a few sets of parents objecting to an administrative decision is unlikely to change anything in my part of the country (very blue state where teachers unions etc are extremely strong) unless there is credible fear of a lawsuit therefrom. So I would be the pragmatist if in your situation and in picking my battles would pass on this one.
Is it really overreaching? She can always say no. I’m not threatening to sue or anything. I really don’t think they realize this is an organization that can alienate some families and they may never realize if no one points it out.
Truthfully I am leaning towards emailing but have not decided 100%.
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