1. BSA DIVERSITY – “A Scout is reverent”
Feb 3, 2014

2. What is “Diversity”?
Are we all the same?
Yes –
No –

3. What is “Diversity”? Are we all the same?
Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts
No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics, Physical abilities, Mental abilities

4. What is “Diversity”? Are we all the same?
Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts
No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics, Physical abilities, Mental abilities
Can we see the things that make us different? Are they obvious?
Yes –
No –

5. What is “Diversity”? Are we all the same?
Yes – Boys, Americans, Students, Scouts
No – Age, Ethnicity, Physical characteristics, Physical abilities, Mental abilities
Can we see the things that make us different? Are they obvious?
Yes – Physical characteristics, Rank, Position (only if you have your uniform on)
No – Musical talent, citizenship, value system

6. Diversity is generally accepted as beneficial
Consider:
A group of students all the same age (say 12)
A group of students with a range of ages (say 7-17)
Which group will have more possible solutions to a problem?
Which group will think about more things that will impact the problem?
Think about how other dimensions of diversity besides age would add to the group
Diverse groups make better decisions
Diverse groups perform tasks with better results although the process may take longer
Diverse groups consider more alternatives
Diverse groups look at more aspects of a problem

7. Religion is an aspect of Diversity
Do all people have the same religion?
Yes –
No –
Can we tell by looking at someone what their religion is?

8. “A Scout is Reverent” From B-P himself:
“The whole educational approach of the Movement consists in helping young people to transcend the material world and go in search of the spiritual values of life”
“Reverence to God and reverence for one's neighbor and reverence for oneself as a servant of God, is the basis of every form of religion. The method of expression of reverence to God varies with every sect and denomination. What sect or denomination a boy belongs to depends, as a rule, on his parents’ wishes. It is they who decide. It is our business to respect their wishes and to second their efforts to inculcate reverence, whatever form of religion the boy professes.”

9. “A Scout is Reverent” Definition in the Scout Handbook:
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
Focus on “respect the beliefs of others”
Recognize that religion is a “touchy subject” but that does not mean that we avoid talking about it – we just need to approach our discussion or how we talk about it in the right way

10. Most people in the US are Christian
Roman Catholic
Eastern Orthodox
Russian Orthodox
Greek Orthodox etc.
Protestant
Lutheran
Baptist
Anglican
Methodist
Latter Day Saints (LDS) etc.

11. But Christianity is only part of the story…
Major World Religions
Can you name them?

12. Major World Religions Can you name them?
Christianity – 33% – 2 Billion
Islam / Muslim – 23% – 1.6 Billion
Hindu – India – 14% – 1.1Billion
Buddhism – 7% – 650 Million
Confucianism – China – 250 Million
Taoism – China – 150 Million
Shinto – Japan – 40 Million
Sikhism – India – 28 Million
Judaism – Israel & Major Cities – 14 Million

14. As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others”
Be careful of stereotypes
Treat everyone as an individual
See for yourself – then decide
Deal in facts
Expect to be surprised
By differences
By similarities
Take in the totality of what it is – don’t just focus on a single (small) aspect
Self-Realization –
Understand that you may be acting in an offensive way (to another) without even knowing it or without intending to
Understand that the opposite can be true as well (you are offended by another who does not know/intend it)

15. As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others”
Understand what those beliefs are
Communication
Listen
Listen more than you speak
Listen to understand not to build an argument
Double check to be sure you heard right – accents can be hard
Be non judgmental – not good; not bad; just different
Your “frame of reference” may not be the same as the other person’s
Judeo-Christian foundation
Western civilization foundation
The Oriental “yes”
Be careful with metaphors and idioms
Learn
Curiosity is natural (on both sides)
Fear of sharing is natural
Deeper understanding and harder questions come with trust

16. As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others”
Adjust our own behavior
What we say
Stereotypes
Slang
“Us” vs. “Them”
What we do
Inclusion / Exclusion / Singling out
Laughing, pointing, staring
Non verbal gestures and “body language”
Smile a lot – it is universally good

17. As Scouts how do we “respect the beliefs of others”
Be sensitive to (and accommodative of) differences (when you plan events)
Special days
Different religions have different holidays
Certain holidays or seasons have different meanings
Dietary observances
Foods
Some are avoided
Some are special and eaten at special times or in special ways
Preparation methods
Religious observances & customs
Regular prayer patterns
Men vs. Women
Clothing
Taking photographs

18. Seek to learn/understand… Be respectful