Girlguiding UK removes God from promise

Girlguiding UK will no longer ask new members to make a pledge to love God and serve their country.

From 1 September, the words "to love my God" will be replaced in the Promise by "to be true to myself and develop my beliefs".

The words "to serve the Queen and my community" will replace "to serve the Queen and my country".

The decision follows a public consultation that gathered the views of 44,000 people, including girls and adults, members and non-members.

Girlguiding UK said the change would help to create a space where those of all faiths and none can find a home.

"We hope the new wording will help us reach out to girls and women who might not have considered guiding before, so that even more girls can benefit from everything guiding can offer," said Chief Guide Gill Slocombe.

However, former MP Ann Widdecombe told Premier Christian Radio that it was an "appalling decision" that reflected the "me society".

"Any census of this country shows that the overwhelming majority of people classify themselves as belonging to a religion," she told the station.

"What the Girl Guide group is doing is actually trying to accommodate a tiny minority – and it is a tiny minority of youngsters who would have already embraced, on rational and thought-through grounds, atheism.

"This is a minority. Adults yes, but youngsters do not reason themselves into that position that young. I think it is an appalling decision."

The new Promise reads:
I promise that I will do my best:
To be true to myself and develop my beliefs,
To serve the Queen and my community,
To help other people
And
To keep the (Brownie) Guide Law.

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.