I quit Girl Scouts a year ago after having to defend my beliefs on animal products, etc. Most of the troop was coverting to "veganism" or "vegetarianism". I begain to notice the lack of animal products in the menus for campouts. Once, I chose to eat my eggs with bacon, rather than "facon bacon". The leader came up to me when I was standing up for eating bacon (meat altogether). I said that God made animals for the main purpose of consumption(as I have been raised to believe from the Bible and religious studies) The Girl Scout leader (a mom of a fellow girl scout who started eating vegetarian foods) then said "Well, God made poo, are we supposed to eat that?" To get to my point, religious and food beliefs aside...was that ok for her, a supposed leader in society, to put down a younger member in society to make way for her own personal beliefs. Personally, I was offended as I always thought those kind of people were to be unbiased. Please give me your opinions.
2007-09-27 19:29:27 · 14 answers · asked by nickel 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
A few points to make: I am not interested in joining another troop, I am not worried about this, I know it has nothing to do with religion or food tastes, etc.
2007-09-28 06:03:37 · update #1
Well, here's the thing. I doubt she has to sign a form saying she'll uphold your right to eat meat. She's entitled to her own views, and unless it's illegal, inappropriate or forbidden for her to share her views with you, she's going to share them.
It's fine for people to jump up and down and say "If anyone spoke to my kid like that, etc etc", but the fact is that unless things have changed in a big way, those jobs (Scout leader, etc) are volunteer positions that not only don't pay anything, but the people have to provide their own uniform, etc, at their own cost.
And, unless other parents with other beliefs join the group and choose to do their part, you are stuck with the vegetarian woman, so if you enjoy Scouts and want to participate in it with your troop, you have to deal with it.
In this world you are going to meet lots of people who disagree with your views about a whole range of things, and just saying 'God said so' is not always going to be enough to make your point.
Maybe next time you could have a look at the issues and ideas being discussed by others, and instead of dismissing them out of hand, you could try to formulate some sensible arguments in favour of your own point of view.
For example, you could have said "I think a vegan diet is too extreme for someone my age, I need a lot of protein to support my physical development and meat is one of the best sources of protein".
There's a free argument for you, from a vegetarian :-)
Debating these subjects is the way people learn about things. What you did was walk out when the going got tough. Because you are young, that's not so bad to do one time, but what has it got you?
A year later and you are still worried about this and resenting what someone said to you! And, you have let your reaction to one person spoil your enjoyment of Scouts. What a shame!
Good luck :-)
2007-09-27 20:55:56 · answer #1 · answered by thing55000 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Oh, dear!
Unfortunately, there are people in this world that feel their beliefs should be held higher than those that differ. Perhaps it would have been better to quietly eat your eggs and real bacon and when questioned, calmly explain that you don't subscribe to that particular way of thinking. Enough of the woulda-shouldas, we're beyond that, now...
What you can only do now, is contact the regional office and report the troop that you were in, citing specific details on what occurred and when. I know that sounds like a bit much, but if you are going to file a complaint, details are important. When you have real details of actual events that occurred, you look like you really have something to complain about. After all, frivolous complaints are made every day, and you want yours to really be heard!
If you aren't completely turned off by the idea, you may want to do what another person suggested and join another local troop.
Just remember for the future: the two worst things to get into a public debate about are religion and politics.... Particularly if your beliefs are considered to be the minority of the group. It makes things extra-difficult if there isn't anyone there to back you up!
2007-09-28 02:55:32 · answer #2 · answered by jewelhobby 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It wasn't ok - Girl Scouts should allow you to believe what ever you personally believe. That being said, the troop leader is human - she probably regrets saying it - sometimes even GS leaders make mistakes.
2007-09-29 19:20:48 · answer #3 · answered by Melissa G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe the troop leader has the right to single anyone out for their dietary preferences. I would check with your local girl scout council, and see if they can find you a nicer troop to join.
2007-09-28 02:36:38 · answer #4 · answered by Robin Runesinger 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's strange. I've never heard of a girl scout troop taking up vegetarianism for health reasons, considering their cookies contain more saturated fat and butter than I care to think about (especially after I've engulfed 20).
I try to avoid eating animals that have evolved sense of awareness and certainly pain (generally pork or cattle, as they are of similar intelligence as dogs), but you're completely right. She should let you hold your personal religious views.
Certainly camaraderie extends beyond what you eat. A vegetarian diet may present a lowered risk of heart disease, but that doesn't mean she can force her views onto you.
2007-09-28 02:50:14 · answer #5 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
We are all human. No one is perfect, and she was reponding to a flaw in your arguement. You say that 'God made animals for the main purpose of consumption.'
I won't get into a debate with you about whether your point of view has merit. However, the way you phrased your point of view was rude. Religion has NOTHING to do with the issue.
You see, the issue here isn't what God intended. We live in a free society, where everyone can make thier own choices. You are free to bring meat with you to these functions. You are free to disagree. What you should have said is 'Please repsect my right to choose my own diet, just as I respect your right to do the same.'
Discretion is the better part of valor.
2007-09-28 02:40:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 9⤊ 1⤋
You are right. The troop leader should have respected your opinion and allow the group to be diverse. I would contact the local Girl Scout leaders (above her) and explain how you were made to feel insignificant and were cast out for your differing beliefs.
2007-09-28 02:35:45 · answer #7 · answered by poisonous_tree_frog 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Wow the girl scouts have changed since I was a kid. We used to have to go on scavenger hunts in the forest and climb trees to get our breakfast. If you didn't find it, you didn't eat. This woman was WRONG. You are entitled to your beliefs. The girl scouts is NOT a church. Make a big stink about it and climb the ladder of authority if you have to. You have every right to eat whatever you choose, no matter what organization you belong to.
2007-09-28 02:42:20 · answer #8 · answered by munkees81 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Hello Ratgurl:
The leader is in the wrong. She had no place in telling you what she did. She is an adult, and should know better. She had no cause to ridicule your religous beliefs. She owes you an apology.
2007-09-29 21:19:26 · answer #9 · answered by OrakTheBold 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lighten up The Garden of Eden was not a meat consuming place
2007-09-28 02:47:18 · answer #10 · answered by devora k 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋