BSA DIVERSITY – “A SCOUT IS REVERENT”

Feb 3, 2014

What is “Diversity”?

Are we all the same? Yes – No –

What is “Diversity”?

Are we all the same? Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics,

Physical abilities, Mental abilities

What is “Diversity”?

Are we all the same? Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics,

Physical abilities, Mental abilities

Can we see the things that make us different? Are they obvious? Yes – No –

What is “Diversity”?

Are we all the same? Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics,

Physical abilities, Mental abilities

Can we see the things that make us different? Are they obvious? Yes – Physical characteristics, Rank,

Position (only if you have your uniform on) No – Musical talent, citizenship, value

system

Diversity is generally accepted as beneficial Consider:

A group of students all the same age (say 12) A group of students with a range of ages (say 7-17) Which group will have more possible solutions to a

problem? Which group will think about more things that will

impact the problem? Think about how other dimensions of diversity besides

age would add to the group

Diverse groups make better decisions Diverse groups perform tasks with better results

although the process may take longer Diverse groups consider more alternatives Diverse groups look at more aspects of a problem

Religion is an aspect of Diversity Do all people have the same religion?

Yes – No –

Can we tell by looking at someone what their religion is? Yes – No –

“A Scout is Reverent”

From B-P himself: “The whole educational approach of the

Movement consists in helping young people to transcend the material world and go in search of the spiritual values of life”

“Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbor and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule, on his parents’ wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes.”

“A Scout is Reverent”

Definition in the Scout Handbook:

A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.

Focus on “respect the beliefs of others”

Recognize that religion is a “touchy subject” but that does not mean that we avoid talking about it – we just need to approach our discussion or how we talk about it in the right way

Most people in the US are Christian Roman Catholic Eastern Orthodox

Russian Orthodox Greek Orthodox etc.

Protestant Lutheran Baptist Anglican Methodist Latter Day Saints (LDS) etc.

But Christianity is only part of the story…

Major World Religions

Can you name them?

Major World Religions

Can you name them? Christianity – 33% – 2 Billion Islam / Muslim – 23% – 1.6 Billion Hindu – India – 14% – 1.1Billion Buddhism – 7% – 650 Million Confucianism – China – 250 Million Taoism – China – 150 Million Shinto – Japan – 40 Million Sikhism – India – 28 Million Judaism – Israel & Major Cities – 14 Million

As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others” Be careful of stereotypes

Treat everyone as an individual See for yourself – then decide Deal in facts Expect to be surprised

By differences By similarities

Take in the totality of what it is – don’t just focus on a single (small) aspect

Self-Realization – Understand that you may be acting in an offensive

way (to another) without even knowing it or without intending to

Understand that the opposite can be true as well (you are offended by another who does not know/intend it)

As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others” Understand what those beliefs are

Communication Listen

Listen more than you speak Listen to understand not to build an argument Double check to be sure you heard right – accents can be hard

Be non judgmental – not good; not bad; just different Your “frame of reference” may not be the same as the

other person’s Judeo-Christian foundation Western civilization foundation The Oriental “yes”

Be careful with metaphors and idioms Learn

Curiosity is natural (on both sides) Fear of sharing is natural Deeper understanding and harder questions come with

trust

As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others”

Adjust our own behavior What we say

Stereotypes Slang “Us” vs. “Them”

What we do Inclusion / Exclusion / Singling out Laughing, pointing, staring Non verbal gestures and “body language”

Smile a lot – it is universally good

As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others” Be sensitive to (and accommodative of)

differences (when you plan events) Special days

Different religions have different holidays Certain holidays or seasons have different meanings

Dietary observances Foods

Some are avoided Some are special and eaten at special times or in

special ways Preparation methods

Religious observances & customs Regular prayer patterns Men vs. Women Clothing Taking photographs

Seek to learn/understand… Be respectful