Of course, besides "testing the extent" it could be that those folks are promoting scouting. You know, like enthusiastic volunteers.

essay wrote:: The only thing I noticed that seems somewhat paradoxical is that, according to caf's link, two of the requirements for a particular badge are:

: '1. Understanding the nature of God; Jesus and the Holy Spirit', and '6: Understanding Biblical doctrines.'

"caf's link," well, it's mine in the sense that I did post it as an answer to Ben's question, but really it is USSSP's link. And the "requirements" therein listed seem to be a list of items to be worked with and sorte out as to which and when by individual scouts with individual leaders.

essay wrote:: Since Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have enormously different beliefs concerning Christ's nature, and since within Christianity, indeed even within Protestantism, there are many different beliefs concerning Biblical doctrines, one wonders what this has to do with scouting. One can just picture an Episcopalian and a Baptist slugging it out at a jamboree over some Biblical doctrine, each attempting to protect his 'Joyful Servant' badge from the heathen.

Are you not paying attention to what you read and critique? Volunteers from various religious groups each work with youngsters associated with their group in this program. Because the youngster wants to pursue it. Why does one wonder what this has to do with scouting? Go back and review at the BSA National Council website (posted in answer to another missive below). Spiritual values, character building, personal growth, good citizenship, knowing one's self, are all part of the premise of scouting. One wonders about people who feel threatened by such things. And no, one really can't picture the fuss over the emblem described above. Sorry if your experience in religious discussion has been like that.

essay wrote:: Many years ago, the Girl Scouts made clear their policy that girl scouting was for all girls, regardless of their religion or lack of religion, and regardless of sexual orientation. In my opinion the BSA would do well to follow suit and concentrate on scouting.

At least it is your opinion. For the sake of interest in Girl Scout policy, you might review the article at http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/GSUSA/gsusa.html which is a site that is very critical of the BSA. Seems that particular author doesn't think the GSUSA is all that much more accomodating, when all is said and done. Then too, the premise that the Boy Souts don't "concentrate on scouting" is certainly unsupported. Pity that people with personal and political agendas don't leave them alone to do just that. Besides, on a grass roots level, most of the people whom I have known that have been involved with both organizations (BSA and GSUSA) as adult volunteers and youngsters in families have expressed the perception from experience that the BSA is much more effective at focusing "on scouting" than GSUSA. But the Girl Scouts sure do sell those cookies.

essay wrote:: It WAS a great organization, but the (relatively) recent policy of religious EMPHASIS (rather than tolerance) has cost it millions of dollars in public funding and, quite frankly, given it a reputation as a haven for bigots, religious and otherwise. The ironic thing is that Lord Baden-Powell conceived the Boy Scouts as a universal alternative to similar but sectarian organizations.

How unfortunate that taking a moral stand, for whatever reason of their own, diminishes BSA in your sight. And for a wild shot out into right field, too bad the Catholic Church in America didn't show a little less tolerance for a particular lifestyle. Seems it has cost them millions and, quite frankly, given them a reputation as a haven for pedophiles and child abusers. Maybe the BSA wanted to avoid similar problems, or maybe they had other concerns in mind.

Baden-Powell was an interesting character, quite an adventurer in his day. Do you seriously mean to suggest that he would be at odds with the scouts continuing to use an oath and law he essentially designed? And his purposes for scouting are not nearly as narrow as you describe, "a universal alternative to similar but sectarian organizations." In his own words in Lessons from The Varsity of Life:

Baden-Powell wrote: Under the term "Scout" one could hold up for his hero worship such men as backwoodsmen, explorers, hunters, seamen, airmen, pioneers and frontiersmen.

Backwoodsman's hip could be brought within the grasp of even the town boy through stalking, tracking, camping, pioneering, camp cooking, tree-felling, and other outdoor activities.

These practices all would have their attraction for him, and would at the same time develop in him health, resourcefulness, intelligence, handiness and energy.
...
Code. Then the Romance of the knights of the Middle Ages has its attraction for all boys and has its appeal to their moral sense. Their Code of Chivalry included Honour, Self-discipline, Courtesy, Courage, Selfless sense of Duty and Service, and the guidance of Religion. These and other good attributes would be readily accepted if embodied in a Law for Scouts.

So I inflicted on the Scout a solemn little Promise, easier to keep than an Oath, in which he engaged to DO HIS BEST to:

1. Do his Duty to God and to the King (N.B.-Not merely to be loyal, which implies a state of mind, but to DO something).
2. Do a good turn to somebody every day (i.e. Duty to his Neighbour).
3. Obey the Scout Law.

The Scout Law. So the Scout Law was not framed as a list Of DON'T'S. Prohibition generally invites evasion since it challenges the- spirit inherent in every red-blooded boy (or man).: The boy is not governed by DON'T, but is led on by DO. The Scout Law, therefore, was devised as a guide to his actions rather than as repressive of his faults. It merely states what is good form and expected of a Scout.

1. A SCOUT'S HONOUR IS TO BE TRUSTED.
2. A SCOUT IS LOYAL.
3. A SCOUT's DUTY IS TO BE USEFUL.
4. A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ALL.
5. A SCOUT IS COURTEOUS.
6. A SCOUT IS A FRIEND TO ANIMALS.
7. A SCOUT OBEYS ORDERS.
8. A SCOUT SMILES AND WHISTLES UNDER ALL DIFFICULTIES.
9. A SCOUT IS THRIFTY.
10. A SCOUT IS CLEAN IN THOUGHT, WORD AND DEED.

No one has to agree with or support an organization like BSA, but it is absurd to suggest their conceptual founder would be displeased that they continue to follow the guidelines he himself authored.