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National Council Boy Scouts of America

CHARTER AND BYLAWS OF THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

"A SCOUT IS REVERENT"

SECTION 1

Declaration of Religious Principles:

Clause 1. The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God. In the first part of the Scout Oath or Promise the member declares, "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law." The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of His favors and blessings are necessary for the best type of citizenship and are wholesome precepts in the education of the growing members. No matter what the religious faith of the members may be, this fundamental need of good citizenship should be kept before them. The Boy Scouts of America, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely non-sectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policies that the home and the organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.

Activities

Clause 2. The activities of the members of the Boy Scouts of America shall be carried on under conditions which show respect to the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion, as required by the twelfth point of the scout Law, reading, "Reverent. A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others."

Freedom

Clause 3. In no case where a unit is connected with a church or other distinctively religious organization shall members of other denominations or faith be required, because of their membership in the unit, to take part in or observe a religious ceremony distinctly unique to that organization or church.

Leaders

Clause 4. Only persons willing to subscribe to these declarations of principles shall be entitled to certificates of leadership in carrying out the Scout program

Additions:

SECTION 2.

In addition to those contained in these Bylaws, there are others, some pertaining to the Bylaw material set forth in Article IX of the Rules and Regulations.

CUB SCOUT PROMISE:

I, (Your Name), promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the Law of the Pack.

SCOUT OATH AND LAW

The meaning of the SCOUT OATH: "To Do my duty to God"

Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and love God and the ways in which God can be served. As a Scout, you do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those teachings in your daily life, and by respecting the rights of others to have their own religious beliefs.

The meaning of the SCOUT LAW: "A Scout is REVERENT"

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

The word reverence refers to profound respect for God. The wonders of the world remind us of our God's creative power. We find it in the tiny lines of a leaf and the great mysteries of the universe. It exists in the kindness of people and in the teachings of our families and religious leaders.

We show our reverence by living our lives according to the ideals of our beliefs. The Scout benediction is "May the Great Master of all Scouts be with us until we meet again."

The United States Constitution gives each of us complete freedom to believe and worship as we wish without fear of punishment. All your life, you will encounter people who hold different religious beliefs or even none at all. It is your duty to respect and defend the rights of others whose beliefs may differ from yours.

VENTURING OATH

As a Venturer, I promise to do my duty to God and help strengthen America, to help others and to seek truth, fairness, and adventure in our world.