Religious Emblems
A Scout Is Reverent
“A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.”
To encourage members to grow stronger in their faith, religious groups have developed Religious Emblem programs. The Boy Scouts of America has approved these programs and allows the emblems to be worn on the official BSA uniform. The various religious groups administer their own emblem program.
For the BSA’s Religious Emblems informational presentation (for all faiths) that gives a great background on why emblems are important to our youth, please click here.
Protestant and Independent Christian Churches for specifics on each program, how to get started, or for more local information, please view this presentation.
Religious Emblems Opportunities
(reference the BSA Duty to God brochure through Pray Publishing www.praypub.org)
-
Protestant and Independent/Christian faiths (22) handled through Pray Publishing www.praypub.org for requirements and curriculum. Materials available at the Central MN Council Scout Shop.
-
Jewish, Eastern Orthodox, and Community of Christ administered by Pray Publishing. Some materials available through the Central MN Council Scout Shop.
-
Directly through the affiliate organization like Baha’I, Muslim, Unitarian, etc.
-
Roman Catholic through Diocesan Committee on Scouting (see listing below) or through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting www.nccs-bsa.org.
Requirements and curriculum through Pray Publishing via the Central MN Council Scout Shop.
Council Religious Relationships Committee
Contact by District:
-
Gateway:
-
North Star:
-
Pine Tree:
-
Scenic: Bob Rueter - rjr33phil@charter.net or 320-250-0388
-
Staff Advisor:
Saint Cloud Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting
Our Saint Cloud Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting is presently looking for Catholic Scouters that are willing to be involved with the committee. If interested please contact Fr Ben Kociemba at 320-247-8878 or Fr.Ben@havenofmercycatholic.org, Bob Rueter at 320-250-0388 or rjr33phil@charter.net, or Mike Peters at 320-746-2377 or e.michael.peters@gmail.com.
Additional Resources
Catholic
Committees
on Scouting
Diocese of Crookston
Scouting Awards Coordinator
1200 Memorial Drive
Crookston, MN 56716
218-281-4533
www.crookston.org
Diocese of St. Cloud
Father Ben Kociemba
305 4th Street SE
Little Falls, MN 56345
320-247-8878
Diocese of Duluth
Scouting Awards Coordinator
577 Seville Road
Duluth, MN 55811
218-729-7537
Religious Info Links
Does your unit have a Religious Coordinator? Learn more about this important position .
For specifics on your faith's Religious Emblem program, please go to www.praypub.org. While you're there, check out the FAQ page.
Get more information at these faith-based websites:
National Catholic Committee on Scouting
National Jewish Committee on Scouting
National Lutheran Association on Scouting
Church of God
BSA's Declaration
of Religious Principle
Article IX. Policies and Definitions (Policies),Charter And Bylaws
“The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God and , therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.”
God bless you all.