Where are Girl Scouts on theism these days?

[summer]

Because DD just had her first meeting and loves it.  

Funny enough, before I went to a UU meeting on Sunday we were talking about religion and I told her that she could choose to believe what she wanted and she was free to change her mind as many times as she likes, as long as she was doing what she felt she wanted to and what made sense to her and not what others said she had to.  

So I found out after the meeting that the Girl Scout pledge still has the "serve God" part which is not a big deal for me at all, but I was wondering if she were to say "Well, today I don't know if there is God," would they kick her out?  I could ask, but I'm weird about outing myself and my kids still in such a small, American expat community.  Either way, it's one of those teachable moments that you think will come later, until it comes today. 

[stephm0188]

Nope. Girls can choose to leave that out if they wish.

[pinkdutchtulips]

at our service unit meeting last week .. they had the GS Law printed w/ an * by God and the notation that you can sub in the deity of your choice or leave it out altogether - your choice.

unlike the BSUSA you can't be kicked out of GSUSA for not believing in god ...

[mominatrix]

reddit says that omitting or substituting for "God" in the promise is perfectly OK

www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/1lovnj/girl_scouts_drop_god_from_their_promise/

[downtoearth]

I was a girl scout and left the Catholic Church before I left girl scouts. I could choose not to say "God" at girl scouts, but I couldn't choose different views from the Vatican to agree with.

Plus, I'll have to look it up but Dr. MLK said girl scouts was a "force for desegregation" or something like that and I remember learning that in girl scouts when I was in elementary school. So I knew they were for diversity and worked on since it was founded.

[AJL]

Theists and atheists are welcome by the GSUSA.

[Michelle]

The Girl Scouts are SO inclusive of non-religious that other groups spun off like Frontier Girls. Here is their promise and creed:
frontiergirlsclubs.com/about-us/promise-and-creed/

In contrast, the Girl Scouts say, "On my honor I will try to serve [God] and my country, help people at all times and live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Law says:
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Nothing about religion in the Girl Scout Law as opposed to the Frontier Girls creed.

[gpw]

I <3 the Girl Scouts. I had a blast when I was a part of them.

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Sept 24, 2014 17:00:57 GMT -5 Michelle said:

The Girl Scouts are SO inclusive of non-religious that other groups spun off like Frontier Girls. Here is their promise and creed:
frontiergirlsclubs.com/about-us/promise-and-creed/

Yea I was at our school open house and the girl scouts were next to the American Heritage Girls. I went home after to see what they were all about...yep, they are the anti-girl scouts. No way will my kids have anything to do with BSA or American Heritage Girls. We live in a VERY small area so I am sure those are all my options. 

[sunterp]

I am a Girl Scout leader, and your scout should be able to say what they like at that part. I myself say "serve others" because I do not have a true religious belief in God. I swear when I was little I was taught the promise as "help others and my county."

[erbear]

Sept 24, 2014 17:00:57 GMT -5 Michelle said:

The Girl Scouts are SO inclusive of non-religious that other groups spun off like Frontier Girls. Here is their promise and creed:
frontiergirlsclubs.com/about-us/promise-and-creed/

In contrast, the Girl Scouts say, "On my honor I will try to serve [God] and my country, help people at all times and live by the Girl Scout Law.

The Law says:
I will do my best to be
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to
respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Nothing about religion in the Girl Scout Law as opposed to the Frontier Girls creed.

Anyone else remember when the pledge was "...to serve God, my country, mankind..."? It was changed to "to help people at all times" sometime in the 80s. I remember that.

[delawarejen]

The fundies at work won't let their daughters be in the Girl Scouts. I don't really remember religion being mentioned to be honest, and it's even less now (the Girl Scouts is a fair bit less formal and traditional now than I remember from the 80's and 90's). We did meet at a church for a while in my many years as a scout, I was a leader in training at a different church's troop, and I remember doing Christmas caroling at the nursing homes so we were singing at least a little about God (but that was optional and not during a regular meeting).

[matildasun]

In the fall of 1990 or the spring of 1991, I was a delegate at the Girl Scout USA National Convention. One of the issues that was voted on was whether members would be required to say the word God in the pledge. The delegation voted against making members use the word God.
erbear, I remember that also.

[Michelle]

And yet, in the spirit of true inclusiveness, there are pins you can earn as you explore hoe Girl Scout values and those of your faith overlap. They a re called MyPromise MyFaith pins. So it is not like those active in church cannot get religion incorporated in Girl Scouts too. As a leader I made sure to find out the religious practices and time commitments so I could tailor my communications with the girls appropriately.

[auntie]

Sept 24, 2014 17:00:57 GMT -5 Michelle said:

The Girl Scouts are SO inclusive of non-religious that other groups spun off like Frontier Girls. Here is their promise and creed:
frontiergirlsclubs.com/about-us/promise-and-creed/

American Heritage Girls are even worse. They broke with the BSA when they finally allowed gay youth members. I mean, if the BSA is too open-minded...


Memorandum of Mutual Support - Dissolution Statement

It was with great disappointment that American Heritage Girls, Inc. Board of Trustees

received the news of the change to the Boy Scouts of America’s membership

standards. It was our sincerest hope the voice of the majority of those associated with

the BSA would be heard and that the BSA would continue the amazing 103-year legacy

of its founder to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices.

Unfortunately, the organization chose to step away from that commitment.

As a result of leaving its time-honored traditions, the BSA has left American Heritage

Girls with no choice but to dissolve our Memorandum of Mutual Support. We do so with

a heavy heart. We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with BSA through the

years. However, the American Heritage Girls Board of Trustees has decided that we

cannot in good conscience continue in a formal relationship with the BSA.

As an independent, faith-based leadership and character development organization, we

want everyone associated with the American Heritage Girls to know that our board

members unanimously affirm the AHG Statement of Faith and its Scriptural foundation,

and we are committed to continue providing a safe environment for every girl involved.

Their oath:


AHG Oath:



"I promise to love God,

Cherish my family,

Honor my country,

and Serve in my community."

[Michelle]

Sept 25, 2014 7:30:06 GMT -5 auntie said:

Sept 24, 2014 17:00:57 GMT -5 Michelle said:

The Girl Scouts are SO inclusive of non-religious that other groups spun off like Frontier Girls. Here is their promise and creed:
frontiergirlsclubs.com/about-us/promise-and-creed/

American Heritage Girls are even worse. They broke with the BSA when they finally allowed gay youth members. I mean, if the BSA is too open-minded...


Memorandum of Mutual Support - Dissolution Statement

It was with great disappointment that American Heritage Girls, Inc. Board of Trustees

received the news of the change to the Boy Scouts of America’s membership

standards. It was our sincerest hope the voice of the majority of those associated with

the BSA would be heard and that the BSA would continue the amazing 103-year legacy

of its founder to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices.

Unfortunately, the organization chose to step away from that commitment.

As a result of leaving its time-honored traditions, the BSA has left American Heritage

Girls with no choice but to dissolve our Memorandum of Mutual Support. We do so with

a heavy heart. We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with BSA through the

years. However, the American Heritage Girls Board of Trustees has decided that we

cannot in good conscience continue in a formal relationship with the BSA.

As an independent, faith-based leadership and character development organization, we

want everyone associated with the American Heritage Girls to know that our board

members unanimously affirm the AHG Statement of Faith and its Scriptural foundation,

and we are committed to continue providing a safe environment for every girl involved.

Their oath:


AHG Oath:



"I promise to love God,

Cherish my family,

Honor my country,

and Serve in my community."

yes... I do not hate on the frontier girls but I do the AH girls