A variety of religious emblems programs are used by Scouting America to encourage youth to learn about their faith and to recognize adults who provide significant service to youth in a religious environment. These religious programs are created, administered and awarded by the various religious groups, not Scouting America, but each program must be recognized by the organization.
Award The award given by the religious organization consists of a unique medal for each program— usually only worn on formal occasions. The award is also recognized by the wear of an embroidered square knot emblem— silver on purple for youth and purple on silver for adults. The knot emblem is universal in that it does not represent any specific religion or religious award program. Each medal is designed and produced by the religious institution, while the knot emblems are produced by Scouting America. Many Protestant churches use The PRAY Program, formerly God and Country, series consisting of God and Me, God and Family, God and Church, and God and Life; although they use the same program, the medals are unique in design according to each denomination.
The youth religious knot may be further identified as to level by the wear of a miniature pin-on device. The first-level program is identified by the Cub Scout device and the second by the Webelos device. The third-level uses the Scouts BSA device. The fourth-level program for Venturers and senior Scouts is recognized by the use of the Venturer device, regardless of the program division of the youth.
Origins The Scout Law states in part: "A Scout is reverent. He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion." The Scouting America "Declaration of Religious Principle" states that "no member can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing an obligation of God and, 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 first religious recognition program for Scouts began in 1926 when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles began the Ad Altare Dei for altar boys who were Scouts. The program was expanded nationally in 1939 and Scouting America approved the medal for uniform wear.
The first Protestant religious emblem program was established in 1943 by the Lutheran church as Pro Deo Et Patria. The Jewish Ner Tamid program began in 1944 and the God and Country program used by several Protestant denominations followed in 1945. The 1948 handbook was the first to include the religious emblem programs and it described Roman Catholic, Jewish, Mormon (LDS), Buddhist, Lutheran and the general Protestant program. As of 2007 there are over 35 religious groups represented by over 75 recognized emblems. The knot for the youth emblems was introduced in 1971 and for the adult emblems in 1973.
Program approval Prior to 1993, Scouting America simply reviewed the programs developed by each faith. After requests for new awards in 1993, Scouting America established a policy statement outlining requirements for recognition. To gain recognition, a proposed program must be approved by the Scouting America Religious Relationships Committee. The medal or badge design must also be approved and must be different from the emblems of other programs.
Programs of Religious Activities with Youth Programs of Religious Activities with Youth, more commonly known as P.R.A.Y., is a not-for-profit organization that administers a series of religious recognitions programs that may be used by agencies such as Scouting America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire, American Heritage Girls, and other youth groups.
P.R.A.Y. consists of a national board and a business office. The national board of directors is a Christian organization with representatives from churches and national youth agencies. The board develops the curriculum and establishes guidelines for the P.R.A.Y. Program—formerly the God and Country program—used by many Protestant churches. The P.R.A.Y. business office processes orders for the medals and reference materials used in The PRAY Program and the programs of other religious organizations.
Other religious organizations have requested that the P.R.A.Y. business office administer their awards since they handle religious recognitions orders on a full-time basis. The requests are taken to the board of directors for consideration on a case-by-case basis. The religious organizations which contract with the P.R.A.Y. business office retain all responsibility for curriculum development and establishing program guidelines, and the P.R.A.Y. business office processes their orders. Thus, P.R.A.Y. has become an interfaith resource.
Each agency determines which P.R.A.Y.-administered programs meet their standards before giving their recognition. All of the BSA recognized programs are listed through P.R.A.Y., regardless of whether they are administered by P.R.A.Y.
Other youth agencies Members of Scouting America who earned a religious emblem through another youth agency such as the Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire USA or a Sunday school group may wear the emblem on their Scouting America uniform. They may also wear the square knot insignia without a device.
Smaller programs The Covenant of the Goddess is one of the oldest and largest cross-traditional groups among Wiccans and neopagans. In the early 1990s, they created the Over the Moon and the Hart and Crescent programs for youth and the Distinguished Youth Service Award for adults. The Covenant of the Goddess approached Scouting America for recognition of these programs. Scouting America declined and later adopted the policy requiring that a religious group must first charter at least 25 Scouting America units before its religious awards program may be recognized. P.R.A.Y. currently does not list any of the Covenant of the Goddess religious programs. The policy requiring a religious group to charter at least 25 Scouting units before its religious awards can be recognized is no longer in place.
Approved programs and awards The following awards are recognized by Scouting America and the religious emblems knot may be worn upon completion of the program.
FaithProponent association Cub Scout Webelos Scout Boy Scout Venturer Adult recognitionAfrican Methodist Episcopal ChurchP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceAfrican Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceAnglican Catholic ChurchAd te DomineSerbus DeiThe Order of St. MichaelAnglican Church in North AmericaP.R.A.Y., Anglican Scouting North AmericaGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeSt. George CrossArmenian Apostolic Church of America (Western Prelacy)noneSaint MesrobnoneArmenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese)Saint GregoryAraratnoneBaháʼíBaháʼí Committee on ScoutingUnity of MankindService to HumanityBaptistP.R.A.Y., Association of Baptists for ScoutingGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGood ShepherdBuddhistNational Buddhist Committee on Scouting MettaSanghaBodhiCatholic (Eastern)National Catholic Committee on ScoutingLight of Christ(Tigers and Wolves)Parvuli Dei(Bears and Webelos)Light Is LifePope Pius XIIBronze Pelican Saint GeorgeCatholic (Latin)National Catholic Committee on ScoutingLight of Christ(Tigers and Wolves)Parvuli Dei(Bears and Webelos)Ad Altare DeiPope Pius XIIBronze Pelican Saint GeorgeChristian Church (Disciples of Christ)P.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceChristian Methodist Episcopal ChurchP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceChurch of Christ, ScientistP.R.A.Y., Christian ScienceChristian Science God and CountryGod and ServiceThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsBoy Scouts of America LDS RelationshipsFaith in GodOn My Honor (Youth)On My Honor (Adult)Churches of ChristMembers of Churches of Christ for ScoutingLoving ServantJoyful ServantGood Servant (Ages 11 – 13) Giving Servant (Ages 13 – 18)Giving ServantFaithful ServantCommunity of ChristWorld Community ProgramGod and Me (grades 1–3)Light of the WorldPath of the DiscipleExploring Community TogetherInternational Youth Service AwardEastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox Committee on ScoutingSaint GeorgeChi RhoAlpha OmegaProphet EliasEpiscopalNational Episcopal Scouters AssociationGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeSaint George EpiscopalGeneral Church of the New Jerusalem (The New Church)Boy Scout Relations CommitteeTen Commandments AwardOpen Word AwardHinduNorth American Hindu AssociationDharmaDharma (-grade 8)Karma (grade 8-)KarmaDharma SaathiKarma SaathiDharma BhaktaKarma BhaktaIslamicNational Islamic Committee on ScoutingBismillahIn the Name of GodAllaho AkberJainismFederation of Jain Associations in North AmericaLive Help Live Stage 1Live Help LiveStage 2Live Help Live Stage 3Live Help Live Stage 4Jain Scout Gold MedalJewishNational Jewish Committee on ScoutingMaccabee (Tiger Cubs) / AlephAlephNer TamidEtz ChaimShofarLutheranismNational Lutheran Association on ScoutingGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchLutheran God and LifeServant of Youth (age 23+)Lamb (age 28+)Meher BabaCommittee for Meher Baba and ScoutingLove for GodCompassionate FatherThe Ancient OneMoravian ChurchnoneGod and CountryThe Order of David ZeisbergerNational Association of Anglican and Traditional Catholic ScoutersP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceChurch of the NazareneP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServicePolish National Catholic ChurchLove of God (Miłość Boga)God and Country (Bóg I Ojczyzna)Bishop Thaddeus F. ZielinskiPresbyterian Church in AmericaP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServicePresbyterian Church (U.S.A.)National Association of Presbyterian ScoutersGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceProtestant and Independent Christian ChurchesP.R.A.Y.Jesus & Me (Lions-Tigers); God & Me (Wolves-Bears)God and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceReligious Society of FriendsFriends Committee on ScoutingThat of GodSpirit of TruthFriendsThe Salvation ArmyGod and MeGod and FamilySilver CrestGod and ChurchGod and LifeScouter's AwardSikhismWorld Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR)NirbhauNirvairGyan KhargKhalsaSewadarUnitarian Universalist AssociationSee Unitarian UniversalistLove and HelpLove and HelpReligion in LifeNoneNoneUnited Church of ChristP.R.A.Y.God and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceUnited MethodistNational Association of United Methodist ScoutersGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceUnited Pentecostal Church InternationalGod and MeGod and FamilyGod and ChurchGod and LifeGod and ServiceUnity ChurchesGod in MeLight of God Fillmore Youth AwardDistinguished Youth ServiceZoroastrian noneGood Lifenone
While optional, the programs may be used to fulfill certain requirements of the Cub Scout Bear and Webelos ranks, the Venturing Religious Life Bronze Award and the Venturing TRUST Award. Instruction for these programs is provided by the religious organization; unit leaders are involved only if they are also part of the religious organization. Many of the religious programs involve the youth's parents.
Many of the religious organizations also have awards for adult BSA members; however, these awards are almost always recognition for service to the religion within Scouting. The adults are nominated for the award; they do not go through a program.
Other awards