# Religious emblems programs (Boy Scouts of America)

A variety of religious emblems programs are used by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) 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 the BSA, but each program must be recognized by the BSA.

## 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 the BSA. 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 Boy Scout device. The fourth-level program for Venturers, senior Boy Scouts and senior Varsity Scouts is recognized by the use of the Venturer device, regardless of the program division of the youth.

## Origins

The BSA version of 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 BSA "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 Boy Scouts. The program was expanded nationally in 1939 and the BSA 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, the BSA simply reviewed the programs developed by each faith. After requests for new awards in 1993, the BSA established a policy statement outlining requirements for recognition. To gain recognition, a proposed program must be approved by the BSA 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 the BSA, 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 the Boy Scouts of 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 BSA 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 the BSA for recognition of these programs. The BSA declined and later adopted the policy requiring that a religious group must first charter at least 25 BSA 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 BSA units before its religious awards can be recognized is no longer in place.

## Approved programs and awards

The following awards are recognized by the BSA and the religious emblems knot may be worn upon completion of the program.
| Faith Proponent association | Cub Scout | Webelos Scout | Boy Scout | Venturer | Adult recognition |
| African Methodist Episcopal Church P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Anglican Catholic Church | Ad te Domine | Ad te Domine | Serbus Dei | Serbus Dei | The Order of St. Michael |
| Anglican Church in North America P.R.A.Y., Anglican Scouting North America | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | St. George Cross |
| Armenian Apostolic Church of America (Western Prelacy) | none | none | Saint Mesrob | Saint Mesrob | none |
| Armenian Church of America (Eastern Diocese) | Saint Gregory | Saint Gregory | Ararat | Ararat | none |
| Baháʼí Baháʼí Committee on Scouting | Unity of Mankind | Unity of Mankind | Unity of Mankind | Unity of Mankind | Service to Humanity |
| Baptist P.R.A.Y., Association of Baptists for Scouting | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | Good Shepherd |
| Buddhist National Buddhist Committee on Scouting | Metta | Metta | Sangha | Sangha | Bodhi |
| Catholic (Eastern) National Catholic Committee on Scouting | Light of Christ (Tigers and Wolves) | Parvuli Dei (Bears and Webelos) | Light Is Life | Pope Pius XII | Bronze Pelican Saint George |
| Catholic (Latin) National Catholic Committee on Scouting | Light of Christ (Tigers and Wolves) | Parvuli Dei (Bears and Webelos) | Ad Altare Dei | Pope Pius XII | Bronze Pelican Saint George |
| Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Christian Methodist Episcopal Church P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Church of Christ, Scientist P.R.A.Y., Christian Science | God and Country | God and Country | God and Country | God and Country | God and Service |
| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Boy Scouts of America LDS Relationships | Faith in God | Faith in God | On My Honor (Youth) | On My Honor (Youth) | On My Honor (Adult) |
| Churches of Christ Members of Churches of Christ for Scouting | Loving Servant | Joyful Servant | Good Servant (Ages 11 – 13) Giving Servant (Ages 13 – 18) | Giving Servant | Faithful Servant |
| Community of Christ World Community Program | God and Me (grades 1–3) | Light of the World | Path of the Disciple | Exploring Community Together | International Youth Service Award |
| Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting | Saint George | Chi Rho | Alpha Omega | Alpha Omega | Prophet Elias |
| Episcopal National Episcopal Scouters Association | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | Saint George Episcopal |
| General Church of the New Jerusalem (The New Church) Boy Scout Relations Committee | Ten Commandments Award | Ten Commandments Award | Open Word Award | Open Word Award | Open Word Award |
| Hindu North American Hindu Association | Dharma | Dharma | Dharma (-grade 8) Karma (grade 8-) | Karma | Dharma Saathi Karma Saathi Dharma Bhakta Karma Bhakta |
| Islamic National Islamic Committee on Scouting | Bismillah | Bismillah | In the Name of God | In the Name of God | Allaho Akber |
| Jainism Federation of Jain Associations in North America | Live Help Live Stage 1 | Live Help LiveStage 2 | Live Help Live Stage 3 | Live Help Live Stage 4 | Jain Scout Gold Medal |
| Jewish National Jewish Committee on Scouting | Maccabee (Tiger Cubs) / Aleph | Aleph | Ner Tamid | Etz Chaim | Shofar |
| Lutheranism National Lutheran Association on Scouting | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | Lutheran God and Life | Servant of Youth (age 23+) Lamb (age 28+) |
| Meher Baba Committee for Meher Baba and Scouting | Love for God | Love for God | Compassionate Father | Compassionate Father | The Ancient One |
| Moravian Church | none | none | God and Country | God and Country | The Order of David Zeisberger |
| National Association of Anglican and Traditional Catholic Scouters P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Church of the Nazarene P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Polish National Catholic Church | Love of God (Miłość Boga) | Love of God (Miłość Boga) | God and Country (Bóg I Ojczyzna) | God and Country (Bóg I Ojczyzna) | Bishop Thaddeus F. Zielinski |
| Presbyterian Church in America P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) National Association of Presbyterian Scouters | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Protestant and Independent Christian Churches P.R.A.Y. | Jesus & Me (Lions-Tigers); God & Me (Wolves-Bears) | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Religious Society of Friends Friends Committee on Scouting | That of God | That of God | Spirit of Truth | Spirit of Truth | Friends |
| The Salvation Army | God and Me | God and Family Silver Crest | God and Church | God and Life | Scouter's Award |
| Sikhism World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR) | Nirbhau | Nirvair | Gyan Kharg | Khalsa | Sewadar |
| Unitarian Universalist Association See Unitarian Universalist | Love and Help | Love and Help | Religion in Life | None | None |
| United Church of Christ P.R.A.Y. | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| United Methodist National Association of United Methodist Scouters | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| United Pentecostal Church International | God and Me | God and Family | God and Church | God and Life | God and Service |
| Unity Churches | God in Me | Light of God | Light of God | Fillmore Youth Award | Distinguished Youth Service |
| Zoroastrian | none | none | Good Life | Good Life | none |
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

P.R.A.Y. has developed several other awards that are not specifically recognized by the BSA. Mentors may be recognized by a pin or pendant that may be worn on non-Scouting apparel. There is also a four-star recognition pin for youth who have earned all four levels of their program. Other groups may have similar awards for individuals and units that are not listed through P.R.A.Y. If approved by the local council, they may be worn as temporary insignia on the right pocket of the Scout uniform.
P.R.A.Y. also offers its own "Duty to God" segment patch program for Scouts of all ages and adult advisers of all faiths, designed to promote their religious awards programs. To earn the patch, girls and adults must attend or make an interfaith presentation about religious awards, then fulfill a personal commitment of their choice that fulfills their "duty to God" as promised in the Boy Scout Oath, such as promoting, earning, or helping another girl earn the religious award for her faith. There are four segments for the patch. One is offered yearly, called the "anchor patch", while the other three are offered yearly on a rotational basis. After one patch is released, the previous year's patch is discontinued for the next three years, then is reinstated again for a one-year period. As of August 2008, only two of these three patches have been released.

## National Association of Presbyterian Scouters

The Celtic Cross award is given to adults active as a youth leader associated with a Presbyterian Church program, including Boy Scouts of America youth leaders and any other group or organization that chooses to give the award. To receive the award an adult must demonstrate "exceptional Christian character", or has given faithful service to a youth program(s) of a congregation by serving in church leadership positions.

## Unitarian Universalist
### Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)—the religious association of most Unitarian Universalist congregations in the United States—has two religious emblems programs that are recognized by the BSA.

#### History

In 1992 the UUA Board of Trustees approved a resolution opposing the BSA's policies on homosexuals, atheists and agnostics; and in 1993, the UUA updated Religion in Life to include criticism of these BSA policies.
In 1998, the BSA withdrew recognition of Religion in Life, stating that such information was incompatible with BSA programs. They also removed recognition of Love and Help, the program for Cub Scouts though it contained no mention of the policies. The UUA removed the material from their curriculum and the BSA renewed their recognition of the programs. When the BSA found that the UUA was issuing supplemental material with the Religion in Life workbooks that included statements critical of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or personal religious viewpoint, the BSA again withdrew recognition.

### Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization

The Unitarian Universalist Scouters Organization (UUSO) is an association of UU Scouts who offer religious emblem programs that are recognized by the BSA but not by the UUA.

#### History

The UUSO created the Living Your Religion program in May 2005 as a parallel award for Boy Scouts of the Unitarian faith. It was announced by P.R.A.Y. in the first quarter of 2005 that the BSA had accepted the Living your Religion award, but this was later redacted. The program was promoted at the 2005 National Scout Jamboree and shown as having BSA approval in the UUSO membership brochure and the Living Your Religion Guidebook. The UUA had stated that the UUSO is not recognized as an affiliate organization. The UUSO released the Religion and Family program for Webelos Scouts in February 2008.

### Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Boy Scouts of America in March 2016 that reestablished the relationship, approving religious award programs for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts as well as establishing a foundation for Unitarian Universalist congregations to charter Scout units. The Cub Scout religious award is called "Love and Help". The Boy Scout religious award is called "Religion in Life".
See Approved programs and awards