May 7, 2008

Something Good Out of Something Bad

Some Islamophobic morons recently came across a Boy Scout webpage that lists the requirements for Muslim Scouts working toward their "Duty to God" award:

With that out of the way, since when did the Boy Scouts become a training ground for Imans and Islamists? This could be the curriculum at a madrassa, not the friggen Boy Scouts. Also, if Muslims in America are trying to integrate into our society this surely is not the way to do it......

What the morons don't seem to realize is that the Boy Scouts encourage kids of all religions to do their duty to God (Allah), regardless of their religion. This is the full list of all the religions who present to "Duty to God" religious emblem under the Boy Scouts:

  • Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese)
  • Armenian Church of America (Western Prelacy)
  • Association of Unity Churches
  • Bahá'í
  • Baptist
  • Buddhist
  • Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
  • Churches of Christ
  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS)
  • Eastern Orthodox
  • Eastern Rite Catholic
  • Episcopal
  • First Church of Christ, Scientist
  • General Church of the New Jerusalem
  • Hindu
  • Islamic
  • Jewish
  • Lutheran
  • Meher Baba
  • Moravian
  • Polish National Catholic
  • Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Protestant (General)
  • Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
  • Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
  • Roman Catholic
  • Salvation Army
  • Unitarian Universalist
  • United Church of Christ
  • United Methodist
  • Zoroastrian

    But, you know, the morons would have you believe that the Boy Scouts are solely a Christian organization, no Muslims allowed here! And far from being not the way to integrate into society, this is actually one of the best ways for Muslim boys to integrate, where non-Muslim and Muslim boys can learn together about each other. Fortunately, the Boy Scouts don't listen to the likes of the morons.

    The "something good out of something bad" is that despite having come across the morons' post, they provided a link and good information about the requirements for Muslim boys earning the Duty to God award. Even if your kids aren't involved in Scouting, the information can serve as a checklist for teaching (and reinforcing) the basic essentials of Islam to children, both boys and girls.


    YOUTH EMBLEMS:

    TIGER CUBS None
    CUB SCOUTS Bismillah
    WEBELOS SCOUTS Bismillah
    BOY SCOUTS In the Name of God
    SCOUTS/VENTURERS (14 & OLDER) In the Name of God
    ADULT AWARDS: Allaho Akber


    ABOUT THE EMBLEMS:

    Bismillah: The Bismillah Emblem may be earned by Cub Scouts in grades 2 through 5. The requirements include a study of:

    1. The Holy Books, including naming the Holy Books and identifying which one was the final revelation.

    2. The Great Prophets, including naming the three greatest and writing an essay on Muhammed (PBUH)

    3. Prayers and pilgrimage, including learning about Kaaba and The Pilgrimage.

    4. Religious Holidays, including describing four major Muslim holidays, the names of Islamic months and writing an account of the importance of Eidul Adha.

    5. The Mosque or Islamic Center, including attendance of religious services and drawing a picture of Masjid Aqsa and explaining its importance to Muslims.

    6. Muslim Heroes, telling the story of the Scout's favorite Muslim hero and writing an essay on Hazret Bilal, the first Moazzin of Islam.

    7. American Heritage, writing a report on a great American Muslim.

    In the Name of God: The In the Name of God Emblem may be earned by Boy Scouts and older Scouts. The requirements for this award include:

    1. Questions and projects including the study of monotheism, the name of the faith, the ways God has presented religion to the world, the "Absolute Justice of God", and characteristics of "God's Prophets", and a talk or essay on the Islamic way of life.

    2. Questions and projects including the study of how a prayer becomes invalid, the five daily prayers, what governs the time of fasting, the significance of giving to the poor, the requirements and mechanics of making The Pilgrimage, and when you can go for haj, leading a congregational prayer, and participating in fasting.

    3. Performing two projects of Religious Service to the Scout's Community. Projects may include a recommended project or a substitute authorized by the Scout's religious scholar.

    4. Successfully Pass a Summary Examination on a range of topics including: naming the five major Prophets, explaining Ka'ba (what it is, its location and its origin), what God means to the Scout as a Muslim, what a person should do, if he arrives late to a congregational prayer, angels and their function in Islam, the five pillars of Islam, how a Muslim compensates, if he doesn't fast during the month of Ramadan, the proper method of slaughtering animals, and what Jehad means to the Scout.

    For more information, see this page.
  • 1 comment:

    Ronin said...

    dang, i didn't know about this.

    i don't know what to feel...