THE SCOUT OATH
"On my honor I will do my best"
Our honor is a quality we possess because of our dignity as human beings and children of God. Our "best" means to give all we have. It means to keep striving to do what we know is right, and in the Oath it means we will try to be good Scouts by fulfilling our Scout duties as expressed in the Scout Law.
"To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law;"
Our duty to God and country means chiefly two things: obedience and loyalty. The duties we owe to the church, to our country, to parents; to one another, and to ourselves come from some command of God. The Scout Law sums up all the qualities a Scout should have and without which he cannot be a good Scout.
"To help other people at all times;"
Our Lord told us that love of our neighbor was like the first law of love of God. Early Christians were known by the love they had for one another. Real Christian charity or love prompts us to want to help others at all times. Our Scouting training will give us skills and knowledge that will put us in a better position to do this.
"To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight."
Scouting offers us many opportunities to grow strong physically. To be alert and ready requires us to give special care to those two gifts of soul – intellect and will – that make us like unto God. "Morally straight" means we must try to know what is right and true, to love what is good, and to choose it.
THE SCOUT LAW
The Scout Law is really a definition of a Scout. Wearing the uniform alone does not make a Scout. In fact, the boy who keeps the Scout Law, even if he has no uniform, is the real Scout far more than one who wears the uniform but does not keep the Law. This is the Scout Law you promise to obey in the Scout Oath:
A Scout is trustworthy.
A Scout tells the truth. He is honest, and he keeps his promises. People can depend on him.
Character is what a man is. Reputation is what people think about him. A youth of character is worthy of trust. No one is worthy of trust who does not recognize his dignity and the dignity of all men as children of God.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is true to his family, friends, Scout leaders, school, and nation.
Because our first loyalty is to God, a Scout is loyal to all to whom loyalty is due his parents, his church, and his country.
A Scout is helpful.
A Scout cares about other people. He willingly volunteers to help others without expecting payment or reward.
Christ has told us that the good turns we do for others will be considered as done to him. The reason we are helpful is that we see Christ in everybody. If our Lord was willing to die for everybody, a Scout certainly should be ready to render help. The whole Scout program gives us an opportunity to be helpful.
A Scout is friendly.
A Scout is a friend to all. He is a brother to other Scouts. He offers his friendship to people of all races and nations, and respects them even if their beliefs and customs are different from his own.
The basis and motive of this point of the Law is Christian charity. We are all children of the same father, and brothers of Jesus Christ. Recognizing this, a Scout should be a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout.
A Scout is courteous.
A Scout is polite to everyone regardless of age or position. He knows that using good manners makes it easier for people to get along.
A Scout should respect the image of God in everyone. The meaning of love as a Scout should be taken from the words of Christ himself: "I have come not to be served, but to serve."
A Scout is kind.
A Scout knows there is strength in being gentle. He treats others as he wants to be treated. Without good reason, he does not harm or kill any living thing.
This point of the Law refers to the Golden Rule. It also refers to animals. They have life and feeling, and God has given them to us as a trust. As such, we must use them well, never abusing or mistreating them.
A Scout is obedient.
A Scout follows the rules of his family, school, and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules and laws are unfair, he tries to have them changed in an orderly manner rather than disobeying them.
Jesus Christ gave us an example of perfect obedience throughout his life. This will be a difficult point of the Law for a Scout to keep because it will mean discipline and giving up his own will at times. He should obey, not because the command pleases him, but because the one giving it has the right to do so, is someone in authority, and is right in doing so. Disobedience brought death and sin into the world. Obedience brought our salvation. Real victory comes from obedience first to God and then to all he has placed in authority as long as they deserve our obedience.
A Scout is cheerful.
A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.
Joy should be one of the marks of a child of God. A Scout will have joy in his heart and manifest it outwardly by his cheerful manner.
A Scout is thrifty.
A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property.
Thrift teaches self-respect, making us unwilling to be a burden to others. Far from being a burden, we are able by thrift to help them. A Scout is deeply concerned with preserving our natural resources.
A Scout is brave.
A Scout can face danger although he is afraid. He has the courage to stand for what he thinks is right even if others laugh at him or threaten him.
A Scout is clean.
A Scout keeps his body and mind fit. He chooses the company of those who live by high standards. He helps keep his home and community clean.
Clean in body and thought; stands for clean speech, clean sport, and clean habits.
A Scout is reverent.
A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others.
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