These awards provide the opportunity for a scout to go above and beyond simply what is required to become an Eagle Scout. While they don't help towards any advancement, they are a great way for a scout to serve the community or learn new things.
Religious Emblems
Baden-Powell stated, "No man is much good unless he believes in God and obeys His laws. So every Scout should have a religion....Religion seems a very simple thing: First: Love and Serve God. Second: Love and serve your neighbor." (Scouting For Boys, 1908).
Duty to God is related to the 12th point of the Scout Law: 'A Scout is reverent toward God.' How can you show your reverence to God?
Duty to God Patch:
The Duty to God Promotion Patch indicates that you have learned about the religious emblems programs. If you were present for the announcement, you're half way there to earning this patch. The second requirement to make a commitment. You may commit by earning your religious emblem, helping younger Scouts earn theirs, making a presentation on religious emblems to another unit or at another venue.
Universal Religious Square Knot and Religious Emblem Programs:
The Universal Religious Square Knot indicates that you have earned your religious emblem. It is different from the Duty to God Promotion Patch. The programs cover all faiths. There are over 40 different Religious Emblem programs. For example:
- Buddhist: Sangha Program
- Catholic: Ad Altare Dei Program, Pope Pius XII Program
- Christian: God and Family Program, God and Life Program
- Hindu: Dharma Program, Karma Program
- Jewish: Ner Tamid Program, Etz Chaim Program
To earn your Religious emblem and Square Knot: you will need to know the requirements (age, membership in the religion, counselors), obtain the booklet, complete the requirements, and obtain proper signoffs. More information can be found at praypub.org.
Nancy L. will be coordinating the Religious Emblem Program for Troop 1. If you are interested in pursuing a religious emblem, let her know and we will gather the requirements and get you started.
