Girlguiding UK: Remove from the Guiding Promise any reference to God

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   A Troubled Manposted 13 years ago

   "An inclusive society is one in which access to positions of responsibility or top awards should not be barred from those who don't have a faith and consequently can't make a promise to God.
   
   By taking this step, Girlguiding will be seen as a progressive, egalitarian and meritocratic organisation and will do much to enhance its standing and reputation.
   
   Both those with a faith and those living free of supernatural or mystical beliefs should see this as an important move and thus support this petition."
   
   http://www.change.org/petitions/girlgui … nce-to-god

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      Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Why do people wish to mess with tradition? If your cannot take the oath
      don't join. What makes you more special than the others. Wy not start your own Godless troup and get all your faithless followers together and simply leave others alone rather than trying to change things for others. You are not special.

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         psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Why do people think they get to tell other people and organizations how to act? Even when they are not and never having been a member?
         
         Guides was always open to all religions.  It has god-specific stuff because that used to be the norm.  Things changed. They want to make it clear girls of all religions and none are equally welcome. That was always the core of the Guides.

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         A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         The tradition of alienating others who don't share your beliefs?
         
         
         
         That's the point, people are not sending their kids to Guiding because of the religious affiliation.
         
         
         
         That's exactly the same reasoning the petition is underway for change, they don't think Christians are more special than others.
         
         Do you believe you are more special than others, Dave?
         
         
         
         

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            Disappearingheadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            "That's the point, people are not sending their kids to Guiding because of the religious affiliation."
            
            With all due respect ATM, I don't think this is the reason for the decline in Girl Guides membership if there is a decline at all. In the UK, people don't tend to get their knickers in a twist about religion as much as America does (based on my observation of Hubpages and American politics). People over here probably couldn't care less if there was an oath to God or not, and even if they were agnostic/atheist, they probably would be content to leave the oath in place as we do like old traditions for tradition sake.
            
            We do have a minority of left wing socialist types who have the idea in their heads that Christianity and Christian tradition/references "may cause offence" to people of other faiths or no faith. Hence the changing of city centre 'Christmas lights' to 'winter festival lights' for example. But many Islamic/Hindu groups have been on record that they resent this political correctness saying that they recognise that Christian symbolism is part of British culture and should be left alone.
            
            If the Girl Guides are in decline, the factors are no doubt many, including: an economic recession; both parents working leaving little time to get little Wendy to GG; GG is seen as retaining old fashioned stereotypes of girls' roles; or the fact that girls can now join the scouts which js seen as much more adventurous.

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            Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            It is not Christians who are special it is Almighty God who is more than special only these people wish to exclude him. These excluders of God should start up their own thing rather than messing with something that has been in existance for many years maybe "Girl Guides for Atheists"?

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               A Troubled Manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               Still wanting to keep us all divided based on what invisible friends we worship. Very sad, indeed.

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   WriteAngledposted 13 years ago

   Alternatively, seek out/set up a local group of the Woodcraft Folk
   www.woodcraft.org.uk/

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   psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

   The Guides get to decide what they want to do.  If you want your kid to go to a religion-specific group instead, there are many available.

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   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   Maybe I missed something, but I was a Girl guide when I was a little girl, and I was never religious. I never knew you had to be?

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