DD7 has just started Brownies, having previously attended Rainbows.
I was aware that Brownies had amended their promise, to omit serving God, and with a focus on developing beliefs.
I was a bit surprised when picking DD up from Brownies at her first session this week that her pack are still doing the Brownie Prayer from 30 odd years ago, talking about Father in Heaven, which is not something our family does. I am happy for DD to show tolerance to all faiths, but less happy about her being asked to actively participate in prayer.
I spoke to Brown Owl afterwards and she was fine and said that it isn't purely Christian because "Father in Heaven" could be any God... but I don't think she quite got it, because as athiests, we don't believe in any type of supernatural "father". I reiterated that I didn't want DD to be made to feel awkward by not participating in prayer, and she said that would be fine. We teach DD to be tolerant to all religions, and I'm sure she will stand quietly and respectfully, even if she doesn't shut her eyes and recite the prayer each week.
This isn't a massive issue, and I'm certainly not looking to stir the pot (everyone is a volunteer, and I am grateful), but I was wondering if our Brownie leader, who is old enough to have been a Brownie when Baden-Powell himself was a child, has perhaps not received a memo about times moving on. Or if prayer is standard at all Brownie packs?
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Is Brownies supposed to be religious?
50 replies
Garfieldsarm · 18/09/2019 17:38
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