Most countries reference God or a sectarian religious personality (e.g. Buddha) in the Scout Promise, Law or equivelant oath. British Scouting says atheists are not allowed but "duty to the Queen" can be dropped and "Allah" or "Dharma" can be substituted for "God". It is not necessarily the case, however, that countries which accommodate nonbelievers in Scouting are "godless". For example, in Czeckoslovakia, Netherlands, and Switzerland God is an optional part of the Scout oaths. Some countries segregate units by religious affiliation.
Buddhist scouts in some countries use 'dharma' but not 'god'. Dharma refers to living in harmony through natural law.
Checoslovakia Promise
*** Czechoslovakia Promise
On my honor I promise that I will do my best,
to serve the highest Truth and Love faithfully all time,
to fulfill my own duties and to observe the Scout/Guide laws,
to be prepared to help my country and my neighbors by all my
soul and body.
(optional "May God help me so.")
*** Czechoslovakia Scout/Guide Law
A Scout/Guide
1. speaks the true
2. can be trusted and is loyal
3. is useful for the society and helps others
4. is a friend to all people of good will and a brother/sister of all
Scouts and Guides
5. is courteous
6. protects nature and valuable human products
7. obeys his/her parents, superiors and Scout/Guide leaders
8. is of cheerful mind
9. is thrifty
10.is pure in thought, word and deeds
*** Israel Scout Ten Commandments
[Note: There are different units for religious and non-religious Scouts]
* The scout is trustworthy.
* The scout is loyal to his people, his country and his language.
* The scout is a useful member of the sociaty, loves work and helps
others.
* The scout is friend to everybody and brother to every scout.
* The scout is polite.
* The scout loves nature and protects it.
* The scout is obedient.
* The scout never gives up.
* The scout is thrifty.
* The scout is pure in his speech and deeds.
***Netherlands oath for scouts
Belofte voor Scouts
(Promise for Scouts)
Ik beloof mijn best te doen - met de hulp van God -
I promise to do my best (optional "with the help of God")
een goede scout te zijn,
to be a good Scout
bewust het goede te zoeken en te bevorderen,
to consciously seek and endorse the good,
iedereen te helpen waar ik kan
to help every one where I can
en me te houden aan de scoutswet.
and to be true to the Scout law.
Jullie kunnen op me rekenen.
You can count on me.
*** Switzerland Scout Promise:
I promise that I will do my best to live by the Scout Law.
I ask (optional: "god and") my friends to help me reach this goal.
*** Switzerland Scout Oath
I promise to do what I can to
always get down to the scout law in a fresh way,
search for the purpose and goals of my life,
be supportive of the society in which I am living
(optional: "trusting God,") together with you all, I try to live
according to this oath.
*** Switzerland Scout Law
German version:
We scouts desire to ...
... be open and honest
... understand and respect others
... offer our help
... search and give happyness
... share
... care for nature and all life
... encounter difficulties with confidence
... make decisions and be responsible
French version:
We scouts desire to ...
... be honest [truthfull]
... listen to and respect others
... be thankful of what is good
... share
... be responsive and helpful
... protect nature and respect life
... choose to be our best and be engaged
... encounter difficulties with confidence