{"id":493,"date":"2018-07-07T18:04:12","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T01:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/yaf.xqj.mybluehost.me\/?p=493"},"modified":"2018-07-07T18:05:14","modified_gmt":"2018-07-08T01:05:14","slug":"around-the-world-the-scout-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/troop260.org\/index.php\/2018\/07\/07\/around-the-world-the-scout-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Around the world: The Scout Law and Oath"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we think of the fundamental underpinnings of scouting, we think of things like our\u00a0Scout Law<\/a> and Oath<\/a>. But did you ever consider that these may not be quite as set in stone as you imagined?<\/p>\n

Lets investigate – and take a look at the Scout Law and Oath in a few different countries. You may be surprised by what we find!<\/p>\n

USA<\/h2>\n

You are probably quite familiar with the seven points of the BSA Scout Law [su_quote cite=”Meritbadge.org” url=”https:\/\/meritbadge.org\/wiki\/index.php\/Scout_Law”]A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

And with the Oath<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Meritbadge.org” url=”https:\/\/meritbadge.org\/wiki\/index.php\/Scout_Oath”]On my honor I will do my best
\nTo do my duty to God and my country
\nand to obey the Scout Law;
\nTo help other people at all times;
\nTo keep myself physically strong,
\nmentally awake, and morally straight.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

UK<\/h2>\n

Let’s take a look and compare this with the current Scout Law and Oath from the United Kingdom – birthplace of Lord Baden Powel and of scouting worldwide.<\/p>\n

It is pretty similar (they call it a “promise” instead of an “oath”) – but interestingly doesn’t contain the final aspects of the US Oath about physical, mental and moral stance. I would also argue that the choice of words is more gentle; promise<\/em> vs oath, keep<\/em> vs obey.<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouting UK” url=”http:\/\/members.scouts.org.uk\/supportresources\/2943\/scout-promise-law-and-motto”]On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
\nTo do my duty to God and to the Queen,
\nTo help other people
\nAnd to keep the Scout Law.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

For the Law, there are also seven parts. It is close to the BSA Law on some points: trusted, loyal, friendly, considerate (courteous \/ kind), courage (brave); similar on thrifty (good use of time etc); but diverges notably in explicitly calling out membership of the worldwide family of Scouts<\/em> and taking about respect.<\/p>\n

Notably, the UK Law makes no mention of the need for cleanliness nor reverence in their scouts \ud83d\ude00<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouting UK” url=”http:\/\/members.scouts.org.uk\/supportresources\/2943\/scout-promise-law-and-motto”]
\nA Scout:<\/p>\n

is to be trusted.
\nis loyal.
\nis friendly and considerate.
\nbelongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
\nhas courage in all difficulties.
\nmakes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
\nhas self-respect and respect for others.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

Scouting UK offers an alternative promise<\/strong>, including\u00a0sign language \/ Makaton<\/a>, and for Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, humanist \/ atheist scouts<\/a>. There is even an approved Arabic version<\/a>!<\/p>\n

The organisation notes\u00a0 that:<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouting UK” url=”http:\/\/members.scouts.org.uk\/supportresources\/2943\/scout-promise-law-and-motto”]Scouting is available to people of all faiths as well as people who are humanist, atheist or have no affirmed faith and therefore must therefore take account of the different religious obligations or non religious beliefs of its Members.
\nSimilarly, people of other nationalities resident in the United Kingdom, who may become Members of the Association, owe allegiance to their own Country.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

Mexico<\/h2>\n

Time to investigate one of our closest neighbors – Mexico!<\/p>\n

Scouts Mexico also has a Promise – it is closer to the UK Promise than our USA Oath (again absent the mental, physical and moral strictures!)<\/p>\n

(Note – translations by Google, original links in quotes.)<\/em><\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouts Mexico” url=”http:\/\/scouts.org.mx\/declaracion-de-principios-scout\/”]I promise, on my honor, to do everything in my power to fulfill my duties to God and the Fatherland,
\nto help others in all circumstances
\nand faithfully fulfill the Scout Law.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

The Mexico Law is a bit longer, but I love<\/strong> some of the sentiments it contains: loyalty to all, a friend irrespective of creed, color, nationality or social class – and best of all to “laugh and sing” at difficulties. Like the USA Law, there is a moral note about being “clean, healthy and pure of thought”\/<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouts Mexico” url=”http:\/\/scouts.org.mx\/declaracion-de-principios-scout\/”]The scout<\/p>\n

figures his honor in being trustworthy.
\nis loyal to his homeland, his parents, his bosses and subordinates.
\nis useful and helps others without thinking of reward.
\nis a friend of all and brother of every scout without distinction of creed, race, nationality or social class.
\nis courteous and acts with nobility.
\nsees the work of God in nature, protects animals and plants.
\nobeys responsibly and does things in order and complete.
\nlaughs and sings in his difficulties
\nis economical, hardworking and careful of the good of others.
\nis clean, healthy and pure in thought, words and actions.[\/su_quote]<\/p>\n

Khazastan<\/h2>\n

Let’s look a little further afield – Khazakstan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Their Oath<\/a> is very similar to the UK and Mexican Promise, and the Khazak Scout Law<\/a> has common elements of Mexican, UK and US Scout Laws, with some local variation: I like the elements “a scout is restrainted” and a “friend to nature”!<\/p>\n

Afghanistan<\/h2>\n

Afghanistan<\/a> had a strong scouting program up until 1978 when the communist regime banned it. But you can’t keep a good thing down, and in 2003 it began to reform. Scouting in Afghanistan has been co-ed since 1960.<\/p>\n

I can’t find the detail of the Scout and Law apart from the statement “making a personal commitment<\/a>“. Use the comments or email the webmaster if you can locate them.<\/p>\n

(note:\u00a0 Scouting in Afghanistan has not yet passed through international re-accreditation to WOSM, but continues to get advice and guidance from regional bodies).<\/p>\n

Nigeria<\/h2>\n

Things are starting to look quite familiar on the international front: Nigeria’s Promise and Law<\/a> are very similar to the UK with a dash of Mexico and Khazakstan<\/p>\n

New Zealand<\/h2>\n

We could go on for ages, after all there are 169 registered national scout organizations! Let’s finish this brief circumnavigation in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

Scouts NZ has organised their Law under a set of three values – they are nice and succinct<\/p>\n

[su_quote cite=”Scouts NZ” url=”https:\/\/www.scouts.org.nz\/scoutlaw”]Have respect<\/strong><\/p>\n