This material has come from many sources around the internet. I claim no credit unless specifically stated. Credit has been given when it is known. If a contibutor has been omitted please let me know so proper credit can be given.
Steve Tobin
steve at netwoods
www.netwoods.com
Hampton, MN
Compiled by K. Garbutt (GARBUTT@WVNVM.bitnet), Pack 49 Mountaineer Council WV
>From Suggestions made by members of the Scouts-L Computer Network
The Boy Scouts of America requires that its members believe in a God, however it recognizes that there are many paths to God and provides a wide range of religious emblems in recognition of this. As Scouters we should be aware of the diversity of religious beliefs that exist even in an area as relatively uniform as West Virginia. For this reason we should be careful in our choice of prayers at Scouting events. The use of prayers with a strong denomiational overtones or a strong Christian bias shows an insensitivity to the beliefs of others which we should avoid. Having said this we all know from experience how easy it is to lapse unthinkingly into a form of prayer we have been brought up with when suddenly called upon at the end of a meeting or before a meal. With this in mind I asked members of the Scouts-L computer list for their opinions and ideas.
1. Kaufman, William Irving, 1922 - ;
UNICEF book of children's prayers, compiled and with photos.
by William I Kaufman.
Prepared for English-reading children by Rosamond V.P. Kaufman and Joan Gilbert Van
Poznak. <Harrisburg, Pa.>
Stackpole Books <1970> 95 p. illus. 24 cm.
His Children's favorites around the world)
Comments: Fifty-one prayers and devotional poems from all over the world. Illustrated with photographs of children from many countries. Clear, simple prayers, but acceptable for any age.
2. Armstrong, Oscar Vance, 1876 - ; Prayer poems, compiled by O. V. and Helen
Armstrong. Freeport, N.Y.,
Books for Libraries Press <1969, c1942> 256 p. 21 cm. (Granger index reprint series)
Comments: Includes Whittier, Longfellow, Author Unknown, various books of the Bible, and others. They are grouped according to occasion and/or object of the prayer, such as prayers from or for teachers, and morning prayers.
3. Marshall, Peter, 1902-1949. Prayers; edited and with prefaces by Catherine
Marshall. New York,
McGraw-Hill <1954> 243 p. illus. 21 cm.
Comments: Peter Marshall was a Scottish immigrant who eventually became pastor of one of the largest churches in Washington DC & chaplain of the Senate. This has "Before a National Election", "To Change the Spiritual Climate of the World", and "For Our Young People", among many others.
4. Jones, Jessie Mae (Orton). This is the way; prayers and precepts from world
religions.
Illustrated by Elizabeth Orton Jones. New York, Viking Press,
<1966, c1951> 62 p. ill. 23 x 26 cm.
Comments: Not exactly prayers, rather these show a way of living. For instance, Sikh: "None is mine enemy; none an outsider. All are my brethern" and Hindu: "Together walk ye."
5. "Let's Celebrate" subtitle: a grab bag of spiritual ideas for Scouting, an interdenominational Christian book; published by National Council of Boy Scouts of Canada, 1974.
6. "Eagles Soaring High" subtitle: Trail worship for Christians and Jews; published by Philmont, no date, BSA number(?) 5-877
7. "Pathways to Worship" pub Commission for Church and Youth Service Agencies, 1986
Last edited: February 22, 2004
The NetWoods Virtual Campsite, Steve Tobin, Campmaster, (steve @ netwoods.com)