Is there any alternative to the Boy Scouts?

[trotsky]

As we know, the Scouts organization hates not only homosexuals but atheists as well. I belonged as a child, but my son cannot join today, nor would I support such a corrupt and horrible organization.

So does anyone know of an alternative organization for 6-year-old boys?

(Next year my daughter will be 5 and can join the Girl Scouts, who have no restrictions on who is allowed to join.)

[beam me up scottie]

1. You could try this:

***

Wiccan Troop Offers Welcome Alternative to Atheist Boy Scout - Wed, Nov 13, 2002

Seattle, Washington
Special to The Raving Atheist

The atheist teen facing expulsion from the Boy Scouts for refusing to acknowledge the existence of god may find refuge in a Wiccan scouting troop. SpiralScouts, founded by Archpriest Pete "Pathfinder" Davis of the Wiccan Aquarian Tabernacle Church, is generously offering indoctrination in the preposterous witch-religion to atheists, pagans and others who have been denied brainwashing by the mainstream Judeo-Christian scouting organizations.

Darrell Lambert, who was ordered to declare a belief in God or leave the Eagle Scouts, enthusiastically welcomed the Wiccan's offer. "The Wiccans have astutely perceived that the cold-blooded rationalism which compels me to reject every form of deity will gladly accommodate both the God and Goddess of their pretentiously silly Earth religion," he said. "I look forward to memorizing the Wiccan Rede, and the Law of Three, mixing powerless potions and casting ineffective spells."

Lambert also said he appreciated SpiralScouts' practice of lumping atheists together with pagans, Wiccans, Satanists and other gullible, superstitious misanthropes. "Having rejected Christianity specifically because of its irrationality, I now indiscriminately embrace any illogical, intelligence-insulting ideology which pronounces itself to be non-Christian," he said. "I eagerly anticipate absorption into a close-knit community of angry, suicidal, blood-drinking sociopaths united by the common bond of rejecting a theology slightly more coherent than their own."

http://ravingatheist.com/archives/2002/11/wiccan_troop_offers_welcome_alternative_to_atheist_boy_scout.php
***

Of course, as usual, I'm no help but I couldn't resist this opportunity to proselytize my own religion, Smartassology. :evilgrin:

(seriously I did find this when I was searching for a scout alternative, unfortunately that's all I did find)

[trotsky]

2. Nyuk nyuk nyuk!

I'm guessing you're a high priestess in that religion. :-P

[beam me up scottie]

3. No,

actually I converted. Until they invent a religion for fans of satire, I'll stick to atheism where I can enjoy the company of people who say stuff like this:

"Having rejected Christianity specifically because of its irrationality, I now indiscriminately embrace any illogical, intelligence-insulting ideology which pronounces itself to be non-Christian," he said. "I eagerly anticipate absorption into a close-knit community of angry, suicidal, blood-drinking sociopaths united by the common bond of rejecting a theology slightly more coherent than their own."

And of course, jew-killing atheists like Trotsky...

[trotsky]

4. You forgot...

I also eat babies and drown kittens.

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. You should drown your kittens in scalding water......

that way they are easier to depelt. Also, force feeding babies walnuts and strawberry preserves for 2 week prior gives the meat a lovly flavor and removes any baby gaminess.









hee hee

[politicat]

5. campfire is a very good alternative - non-theistic.

Alternately, you might see if your daughter's GS troop would adopt him as a brother and let him participate that way. My leader's nephew was our Girl Scout Brother and learned everything along with us. We liked having him for the most part, and he seemed to like us.

[fshrink]

6. Terrific idea!

[StrongbadTehAwesome]

16. Girl Scout Brother - fabulous idea!

did your leader run into any problems from the GS council over that?

[Gelliebeans]

7. You know years ago (80's)

My mom signed me and my brother up for Indian Guides and Indian Maidens, It was in California.
I think the YMCA sponsered it. There were camping trips and weekly meetings as well as learning about Native American Culture.
This was really cool! I got beads for doing good deeds and we volunteered for park clean-ups.
It was a good experience and we had a blast. (mom and me)
In fact I still have my bead necklace (which is huge btw)

:P O8)

ok on edit http://www.midlandymca.org/guides.html
I went to this site and saw they now represent the "C" word (sorry)
When I went way back then it was a bunch of hippie parents and their kids.
Now they look like the Xians invaded the place and stunk it up

[politicat]

8. YMCA/YWCA has always been Christian.

Young Mens/Womens Christian Association. Always has been.

Some of them - locally, f'r example - keep the Christian in the name so they get a tax break on the land and don't play property taxes, which can be critical when an organization runs close to operating budget. Ours are 100% secular and don't ever deal with Xtianity.

Others, maybe not so much....

[Gelliebeans]

10. Our YMCA was in southern California

and completely secular. Like I said it was full of 60's hippies and their kids going on camping trips. In fact that is why my Dad joined because he is agnostic and wanted us to be involved in something that wasn't churchy. My father who is now in his early 60's is blowing a head gasket over all talibornagains.

I know it can differ from place to place but in this hyper xian climate one would have to double-check the local branch. :shrug:

[YankeyMCC]

9. That would be very nice to have

I was a boy scout as a child and for the same reasons you list my son can't join either.

I do my best to give him the best of the experiences I had on my own for him and his friends when possible. But it would be nice to have an organized support structure that could expand the opportuniteis for the kids.

[onager]

12. Trotsky, good luck with this...

In a sane society, you wouldn't have this dilemma. But you know that...

Not long ago, I got a call from the L.A. County Reserve Sheriff's Association.

They wanted to know if I would donate $$$ to help the Assoc. sponsor a Boy Scout troop.

I'll leave out the rant/interrogation that poor solicitor received. But I don't think they'll EVER call this number again. I should be on a list that says: Do Not Call. EXTREMELY Grumpy & Argumentative Atheist.

The last time I bought Girl Scout cookies, I discreetly asked the woman with the kids about the Boy Scout attitude. She rolled her eyes and said something like: "We only care about helping the kids, not making stupid political statements."

Anybody need a spare case of Girl Scout cookies...?

[Hokie]

15. Girl Scouts are affiliated with BSA

They are entirely separate. The GSA is not the anti-gay, right wing political organization that the BSA is. I used to be involved in Boy Scouts and a regular donor. They do not get my money or my time any longer. My wife does do a lot for Girl Scouts although she no longer is a troop leader since our daughter graduated. I have no problem supporting GSA.

[Kolesar]

13. Sierra Club Chapters sponsor "Inner City Outings"

My local group got a modest grant from a local foundation to buy equipment. The adults take the children on nature hikes and even get as ambitious as float trips and camping.

[politicat]

14. Ya know, I don't know where you are, but you might check with the

UUs about setting up a youth organization that's secular in aspect, but uses the building to do the nature stuff.

If you were here, I'd help, if you don't mind ... girls.....