Something that would be extremely unlikely in an American youth organization, but perhaps in a generation ...
not forcing kids to lie is a positive move
snip
...
In a move that delighted the British Humanist Association (BHA), the Air Cadet Organisation, which was formed in 1938 and played a key role in the second world war, is to offer future cadets the option of a non-religious oath. The decision follows a campaign by the BHA and the United Kingdom Armed Forces Humanist Association (UKAFHA), after they had argued that the organisation needed to recognise that many of its recruits were non-believers.
The development is likely to be studied closely by other youth organisations. Both the Scout Association and Girlguiding UK are consulting on changing their pledges so that they are inclusive of young people without a specific faith.
With almost 41,000 members, aged from 13 to 20, in more than 1,000 squadrons across the UK, the Air Cadets describes itself as the world's largest youth air-training organisation. Around 40% of RAF officers and 50% of aircrew are former cadets. At present cadets can only make the religious promise, usually at a ceremony presided over by their unit's padre or commanding officer. The vow says cadets will strive "to be a good citizen and to do my duty to God and the Queen, my country and my flag". Humanist groups successfully argued that the corps must provide a non-religious oath or it would fall foul of European legislation and the Ministry of Defence's policy on equality and diversity.
"The Air Training Corps is a significant youth organisation," said David Brittain, general secretary of UKAFHA. "According to repeated surveys, 65% or more of teenagers state they are not religious, and by failing to provide a non-religious oath the organisation has excluded a significant number of young people of good conscience who do not believe in any god and are not willing to lie by saying words they don't believe."
Brittain said other cadet forces would have to follow the air cadets' example: "While we welcome this news from the ATC, there is still work to be done in ensuring that all Ministry of Defence-sponsored youth organisations provide a similar promise. To not offer an alternative to the religious promises is divisive, unfair and deeply sad."
...
Meanwhile, deep in the heart of Texas, Governor Rick Perry has a few things to say
snip
...
You think about what has gone here in the last few days around the world and never has there been a time that I think we need more spiritual courage, that we need more moral fiber if you will. The American family is under seize, traditional values are somehow exclusionary, a simple prayer in our public schools is the basis for these secular attacks; you think about this spiritual warfare that’s going on and [inaudible] going strong as President Obama and his cronies in Washington continue their efforts to remove any trace of religion from American life. It falls on us, we truly are Christian warriors, Christian soldiers, and for us as Americans to stand our ground and to firmly send a message to Washington that our nation is about more than just some secular laws. Activist courts, we see them chipping away from our values and remove so much that is very special and unique about the United States. I don’t want to get too far off course here but when you think about what’s going on in the Middle East and the president stood up in Cairo in 09 and either incredible naïve or very unschooled in the ways of these radical Islamists, and four American lives were lost in Libya. It is our founding fathers knew and understood the importance of the role of our Creator in public discourse and they didn’t shy away from referencing Him, using the values he brought and the message of his son Jesus Christ to build the system that we as a society have e enjoyed for more than 200 years. Securing that system, rebuilding our nation is what these 40 Days to Save America is really all about. It’s about saving our nation, it’s about preserving the values that make us special, about rejecting the concept that freedom of religion means freedom from religion, about turning away from this growing tide of secularism and atheism, the way they preach tolerance and diversity while they engage in oppression and bullying tactics.
...
santa lucia day
For those of Scandinavian heritage - or those who lived in regions with high conconcentrations of Swedes - Happy Santa Lucia.
A very unusual holiday devoted to an Italian saint with an unsual piece of music. little girls with fire in their hair, and wonderful saffron buns called lussekatter and ginger snaps.
The beginning of the holiday season in Sweden.
07:01 in General Commentary, Music, Religion | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)