What is Duty to God?

The Boy Scouts of America maintains that no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation to God…. The Boy Scouts of America, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of the member, but it is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the home and organization or group with which the member is connected shall give definite attention to religious life.

The Boy Scouts of America is an integral part of nearly every place of worship. This is because every Scout has a duty to God. A unit that is
chartered to a religious group provides Scouts the opportunity to recognize and fulfill their duty. Active involvement in your religious group is essential to your being a good Scout. You are expected to recognize your duty to God, and the religious principles you learn will enable you to live by the Scout Law.

Religions around the world use Scouting as a way to provide meaningful activities for young men and women. Most of them have special recognitions for the young people who recognize and fulfill
their duty to God. Some of these emblems are Ad Altare Dei, Alpha Omega, God and Country, Living Faith, Ner Tamid, and On My Honor. Check with your religious leaders to find out the requirements for receiving the emblem affiliated with your religion. Religious emblems are not required for advancement but are honorable to wear on your uniform and demonstrate your dedication to your religion and to Scouting.

Scouting Founder Robert Baden-Powell on Religion

“There is no religious side to the movement. The whole of it is based on religion, that is, on the realization and service of God.”
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“Religion is essential to happiness. … This is not a mere matter of going to church, knowing Bible history, or understanding theology. … Religion very briefly stated means: Firstly— recognizing who and what is God. Secondly— making the best of the life that He has given one and doing what He wants of us. This is mainly doing something for other people.”
The Golden Rule
Variations on the familiar Golden Rule are found in most world religions. Here are examples.
  • Christian: “Treat others as you would like them to treat you.” (Luke 6:31, New English Bible)
  • Hindu: “Let not any man do unto another any act that he wishes not done to himself by others, knowing it to be painful to himself.” (Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, cclx.21)
  • Confucian: “Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.” (Analects, Book XII, Part 2)
  • Buddhist: “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” (Udanavarga, v. 18)
  • Jewish: “What is hateful to yourself do not do to your fellow man. That is the whole of the Torah.” (Babylonian Talmud, Shabbath 31a)
  • Taoist: “Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss.” (Tai Shang Kan Ying P’ien)
  • Zoroastrian: “That nature alone is good which refrains from doing to another whatsoever is not good for itself.” (Dadistan-I-dinik, 94,5)
  • Muslim: “No man is a true believer unless he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.” (Hadith, Muslim, imam 71-72)