Non-religious alternative to Cub Scouts?

[Red Tail 444]

Originally posted by Chairboy
Hi!  Can anyone point me towards an organization similar to the Cub Scouts that doesn't have the same religious requirements?  Googling it brings me page after page of folks complaining about the Boy/Cub scouts and their stance on the matter, but not a lot of matches for alternatives.

Figured it might be worth tapping the collective here, ifncase anyone here has stumbled across something...

Try any of the martial arts. Kendo, Kyudo, or tai chi. All build character, and one of them care what your religion is.

[lazs2]

chair... excellent answer...  

As I have told you in other threads... there is "zero difference" between the way theists raise their children and the way the athiests raise their children... both impart their religion on to their kids.

there is one slight difference however... most religious families will let their kids go to non religious based events or organizations...  your religion seems a little paranoid and strict.

lazs

[Chairboy]

Lazs, the Boy Scouts specifically prohibit atheists from joining.  It's simply not allowed.  Nothing about paranoia.

[indy007]

Originally posted by Red Tail 444
Try any of the martial arts. Kendo, Kyudo, or tai chi. All build character, and one of them care what your religion is.

Found a decent looking place in OR.

I prefer Jiu-Jitsu (there's no substitute for ground skills), but a 4 y/o may be alittle young for that. They do have Enshin Karate classes for 4-6 y/o's though.

[lazs2]

chair... my point exactly.   I raised my kids to believe in a god but I let them seek out different views on their own.  even at very young ages...  I would not do what you are doing to them and tell such a young and forming child that your religion was the only one.

I would raise my kids to make up their own mind.    I think your fear is paranoia.... I was raised catholic.   went to catholic school... I am not one now.  

Kids do listen to their parents... if you allow your child to be an agnostic... he can see it all.   Let him come back to you and ask questions.   If you make sense he will see it.. if you don't... well.  He is a human being.. let him make his own mistakes so far as religion go and remember....

nothing is permanent... not the boy scouts brainwashing or yours.  

I would not want to be you when he grew up and realized what you have done to him tho.    

lazs

[lazs2]

guess I am saying... would you forbid them from going to different churches with their friends?   would you deprive them of seeing how these things work?

My kids pretty much went to a lot of churches with their friends and....

In the end.. they decided that organized religion was pretty much a scam.   That does not mean that they decided god was a scam...  

lazs

[Chairboy]

Lazs: You're not listening.

THE.
BOY.
SCOUTS.
DO.
NOT.
ALLOW.
ATHEISTS.
AND.
AGNOSTICS.
TO.
JOIN.

They kick them out.

This is not "Chairboy pushing an agenda", this is just facts.

[Shuckins]

Chair,

The Cub Scouts and the Boy Scouts are a private organization.  Membership, as we all can agree, is purely voluntary.  Find a viable alternative for your child if you wish...and good luck to you.

One of the things about the modern "Scout" controversy that gives me the most chuckles is that some of our activist groups and parent organizations have been suddenly shocked, SHOCKED mind you, to discover that they are a  (shudder) "religious" group.

As if the Scouts attempted to keep the fact a secret for the last century.

I was in the Cub Scouts for a couple of years as a child.  The only thing I can remember clearly about it is the kool-aid and cookies, arts and crafts, and the nifty little uniform.

There were no secret religious rites with animal sacrifices performed while reciting the Protocols of the Elders of Zion by the light of the full moon.

[mietla]

Originally posted by lazs2
chair... excellent answer...  

As I have told you in other threads... there is "zero difference" between the way theists raise their children and the way the athiests raise their children... both impart their religion on to their kids.

there is one slight difference however... most religious families will let their kids go to non religious based events or organizations...  your religion seems a little paranoid and strict.

lazs

I agree with you that atheism is a religion (in contrast to agnosticism) and atheists are "pushing" their religion on their children just like followers of any other faith, but at the same time I think that the "push" is highly individual and covers the entire spectrum. Some people simply show their kids "the way", but let them make their own choices later. Others kill their children if they stray from their "faith".

What Chairboy is doing is perfectly reasonable. His kid is incapable of making choices so Charboy has to make them for him. It is only natural. As a parent Charboy is untimately responsible for his kids' upbringing. The key is to let go, when the kids are capable of making their own choices.

[Chairboy]

Shuckins,

I know, I'm not trying to shoehorn my way into the scouts, just looking for an alternative for my kids.

[Chairboy]

Originally posted by mietla
As a parent Charboy is untimately responsible for his kids' upbringing. The key is to let go, when the kids are capable of making their own choices.

Agreed 100%, and I will.

[lukster]

2- Threads should remain on topic, do not "hijack" topics.

[mietla]

Originally posted by Chairboy
Lazs: You're not listening.

THE.
BOY.
SCOUTS.
DO.
NOT.
ALLOW.
ATHEISTS.
AND.
AGNOSTICS.
TO.
JOIN.

They kick them out.

This is not "Chairboy pushing an agenda", this is just facts.

Wel yeah, but...

YOU have decided that he is atheist, so indirectly YOU have decided that he can't join Boy Scouts.

You have every right to do that, but do not whine that your kid can't join Boy Scouts. Find another organization, which is exactly what you are doing.

I see no problem for anyone. Win Win.

Had you been an agnostic, there would be no issue at all.

[Chairboy]

Originally posted by mietla
Wel yeah, but...

YOU have decided that he is atheist, so indirectly YOU have decided that he can't join Boy Scouts.

You have every right to do that, but do not whine that your kid can't join Boy Scouts. Find another organization, which is exactly what you are doing.

I see no problem for anyone. Win Win.

Had you been an agnostic, there would be no issue at all.

1. I'm not whining, I'm just asking for an alternative for my kid.  You're putting words in my mouth.
2. Agnostics are also not allowed to join the Boy Scouts.  You quoted my message, but I'm guessing you didn't read it.

C'mon, get it together and stop tilting at windmills.

[Chairboy]

Originally posted by lukster
2- Threads should remain on topic, do not "hijack" topics.

What relationship does your message have with my request for an alternative?

Are you suggesting I'm a nazi?  I don't get it.