On this issue there does not seem to be much difference.

The BSA does none of those things
I say that is a big difference


I do not know where you got that out of the article

It's not hard to get that from the article.

Check the video. God is still in there.

It is not hard to get that from the article


I do not do videos, takes too long for me to watch them

On my honor, I will try:
To serve God and my country,
To help people at all times,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/promise_law/

The video is 58 seconds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA#.22To_Serve_God.22_in_the_Promise

Officially, it was an accommodation for non-Christians, not atheists.

"On this issue there does not seem to be much difference"

Except the part where she said they have allowed openly atheist/agnostic members since 1993. You are contradicting the whole of the article! Yes, admittedly, badly written title. But, you posted it!

The part "serve God" is optional. Just like when I say the pledge and don't move my lips for the "under God" part. It may have just been my experience, but belief in god was not a requirement for membership when I was an active member. Now that I'm an adult, I don't expect that my being an atheist would be an issue except for perhaps some individual fundamentalist parents that may not wish I lead their girls. I do live in a red district in Florida...

It has moved beyond monotheism but it has not officially embraced atheism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA#.22To_Serve_God.22_in_the_Promise

The next section:

As I've said all along, the author in the OP likely received scorn for her atheism because of an individual leader since the official policy has been (at least since 1993) all inclusive and accomodating. I have never seen otherwise from my 12+ years of active membership and my 12+ years of inactive membership.

is that if you tell, you are not kicked out. Bigotry and hatred of any group was not tolerated; I refer you to the Girl Scout Law (the one we talk about in the pledge). Pretty secular stuff...

http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/promise_law/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA#cite_note-65

If you've got the "official policy" of the GSA on atheist members, post it.

As I have said before, Girl Scouting is all about inclusion. There will be nothing stating the exclusion of anyone from atheist, to brunette, to environmentalist, to softball player.

If anything your Wiki quote proves my point. In response to allowing girls to leave out "the serve God" of the pledge in that 1993 policy change, the American Heritage Girls (a separate organization) was formed. They are not part of the Girl Scout organization. From Wiki:

A quick search on the GSUSA website has this little gem:

http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/leadership/the_architecture_of_inclusion.pdf

There certainly are religious recognitions, developed by each religious community (not USGSA) for use by girls of different ages. Here is a link to that info:
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/faith/

So far, I don't see any recognitions for non-believers there, but I suspect that there won't be recognition for not participating in religion. I think it would be nice to suggest to the AHA that they develop another award along-side the others, but that is up to each individual group. Perhaps I need to draft an email to them about that...

I suggest you browse around on the Girl Scouts official page to get a better idea of their inclusive policies. It really is an amazing organization, and it's made me who I am today. I also have to say thank you because I haven't looked through my handbooks and badge books for quite and while and it brought back so many fond memories!

Edited to add: this quote from your Wiki page. It actully resides directly above your quote about WAGGGS and the American Heritage Girls.

Girl Scout President B. LaRae Orullian made an official statement that the change is "a very strong statement that Girl Scouts continue to be on the cutting edge, and this is a continuing effort to show that we have strength in diversity and that we are an inclusive organization."

That's why I aked you to post it in case I missed it. While they certainly are more welcoming than the BSA, they still, as you acknowledged, have not explicitly stated nonbelievers are welcome. There is really no rationale for not doing so and the coyness on the subject is unnecessary.

If that were the case, it would seem that they would need to develop a policy listing all religions to fit their all-inclusive existing policy. My point is that the inclusion policy is overarching over any division someone could think of, religion or otherwise.

and all that jazz...I guess I started scouts (as a Brownie) in 1988 IIRC.

I said it anyway because I was raised Baptist. But, now that I'm an atheist, I still don't feel unwanted by GS. At the link, she clearly points out that they are accepting to atheists/agnostics. Her leader clearly wasn't following the rules of scouting by dismissing her concerns. It is unfortunate that she had such a terrible experience.

I had incredible leaders that were Catholic but there were also agnostic and jewish girls in my troop. We went to a mass to see what it was like (if we wanted to) and were encouraged to attend services at jewish and buddhist temples. The message was always about inclusion and diversity, as was written in our guidebooks.

I realized a long time ago that I was very lucky to be led by a strong feminist leader and not a fundie bible-thumper even though I was one myself at the time. I am very grateful to her for having such an amazing scouting experience. Despite the reservations I have with policies about selling cookies (the troop makes about $.30 per box of cookies, last I checked), I still have plans to start a troop whether or not I decide to have children and fully expect to be 100% valued.

...it's become a matter of social protest to buy them, no matter our feelings toward the economic unfairness of the practice (which really should be changed). With all the crazy fundie politicians using the Girl Scouts as scapegoats, attacking them for connections to Planned Parenthood and accusing them of teaching girls to be lesbians--well, unfortunately or not, buying a box of cookies has become a show of support. Also an important message, both to the idiots spouting such vitriol, and to the Girl Scouts who have to listen to it.

You are right. And you make really great points.

We have always bought a box or two, mostly out of obligation (spouse is a schoolteacher) and who can resist Samoas, right? But you have given me reason to buy extra. Thanks.

Thin Mints! Try them crumbled into vanilla ice cream. Delish!

Thin mints are the better-half's favorite. Unfortunately, she like my Samoas just as much.

I just have my own personal favorite. Though I wouldn't say no to any of the others!

Dipped in hot chocolate!

Oh, yeah, and mints, too! I'll have to try the ice cream thing, never thought of that!

I'm surprised that one of the big ice cream companies hasn't thought of it yet!

(Or have they?)

But now their website has generic names like "Caramel Coconut Cookie"...perhaps the license ran out?

Used to be Tagalongs, Thin Mints, and Samoas...but I hadn't tried them. I will be trying the Thin Mints on ice cream, though, so I can pick how much cookie goes on the ice cream! Why, yes, I'd like some ice cream with my cookies, thank you! Maybe I could even try Thin Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches! Mmmmmm, now we're talking!

This year I intend to order as many as I can give as gifts plus all the freezer can hold.

When I was a GS selling cookies (about 12 at the time, I think), Connie Chung did a report on 20/20 about how unfair the organization was to the girls and about their nifty new office building in downtown NY. The response from the public? Somewhere along the lines of "screw you and that terrible organization!" Really supportive of the girls!

I still buy the cookies and try to start conversations with the girls/leaders as to what they are going to do with the money they earn. Usually, the girls don't respond and the leaders tell me what trip is planned. I went to Savannah as a junior and Switzerland as a senior, but not with cookie money! We sold crafts at craft shows to earn our way. I try to show encouragement and support as much as I can!

and be in your troop..at any rate, I feel better about the world in general knowing you are out there and maybe gonna start a troop.

I'm nervous about being so open about my non-belief and starting a troop, especially in this part of Florida! But, I'm sure I'll summon the courage someday soon!

I assume it's around 12 or 13. If it is that young, I'm surprised that she felt that strongly about it and was willing to take a public stand - that takes a lot of courage. Since she talks about Sunday school, I assume her parents were religious.

From the video of the girls reciting the oath, I'm surprised too.

I think it goes by school grade than age. Daisies are kindergardeners and Brownies are the three years following that. That is a bit young to have such strong religious convictions. At that age, I still believed everything my parents told me. Then again, my father constantly reminded me of his favorite commandment to keep me in line: honor your father and mother!

allowed to.

I suspect that decision was made by my parents because of their discriminatory policies, but, now that I think of it, I'm not entirely clear and will need to ask.

about God being discussed or pushed on anybody. Our Junior GS troop met in a local Methodist church but that was just the space they used, the troop had nothing to do with church or religion.