THEOLOGY FOR BOY SCOUTS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—Our attention has been called to a letter which appeared in your issue of May 26th on the subject of the policy of this Association in regard to Religion and Politics.
Our policy in regard to religion is simple. We require that a person in order to become a member of this Movement shall make the Scout Promise of which the first part is- " To Do My Best to Do My Duty to God." We expect him to keep this promise to the best of his ability, and so far as lies within our province we give him help and encourage- ment in doing so according to the rules of his particular religion and denomination. But we cannot offer to define God in a simple formula likely to meet with universal acceptance. There is no reason for us to do so, nor would there be any value in our attempting that which the very multiplicity of creeds and sects shows to be an impossibility.
We offer a welcome to our Brotherhood and provide a place in it for boys of all faiths and creeds, and it is only those who profess to deny, or act in such a manner as to ignore, the acceptance of God who exclude themselves from our Brotherhood by thus rendering themselves incapable of making the Scout Promise.
In Politics our policy is also simple. We are in no way a political movement ; and we do not incline towards, nor do we teach the doctrines of, any particular Party. We realise nevertheless that our Scouts as they grow up must acquire political views: for our object is to help them to become good citizens, and political views are a part of citizenship. We, therefore, try to help them to acquire those qualities which are the basis of good citizens, namely sound judgement, honesty of purpose, a spirit of service, and a readiness to accept responsibility.
Our Movement is a Brotherhood of Service without dis- tinction of Class, and there is a place in it for members of all parties except those whose views lead them into breaches of the Law, or who preach any doctrine of class hatred.—
I am, Sir, yours, &c., HAMPTON. Chief Commissioner, Boy Scouts Association. 25 Buckingham Palace Road, London, S.W..t.
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