Posted on 08/02/2007 10:07:51 AM PDT by foolscap
Youngsters celebrating the 100th birthday of the scouting movement have been banned from eating burgers and bangers - because they might offend youngsters of other religions.
And the scouts have been banned from having campfires and instead have to sit round a potplant - because of safety fears.
The traditional camping food made way way for vegetarian dishes - a hundred years after Scout founder Lord Baden-Powell took his first group of 20 boys to the great outdoors.
The 1907 boys caught rabbits and cooked them on an open fire on Brownsea Island, in Poole Harbour, Dorset.
But in 2007, as 300 Scouts travelled back to the site where their movement was born, meat was whipped off the menu in favour of vegetarian cuisine because it might offend the different faiths of youngsters from 162 countries if it wasn't Halal or Kosher.
And wood and flint were dropped for safer gas stoves because of the fire risk to plant and wildlife.
Instead Scouts sat around a pot plant.
Clare Haines, spokesman for The Scout Association, said: "It was really to do with religion that we were not able to provide sausages and burgers and all that kind of food.
"We have been very careful though to make sure food is provided to everybody's tastes and beliefs, so no one feels left out. They enjoyed their vegetarian meals, especially vegetable chilli, fresh salads and jacket potatoes."
She said camp fires were banned on the island, owned by the National Trust, because of a devastating woodland blaze 30 years ago.
One adult at the Brownsea Island site revealed: "The boys couldn't sit round a traditional camp fire with sausages on sticks. It seems crazy, but what can you do?
"Instead groups sat around a 3ft bay tree in a plant pot and exchanged stories."
More than 40,000 youngsters from 162 countries at the same time gathered at Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex, for a two-week World Jamboree, which draws to a close next week.
Scouts at this jamboree, however, were allowed to tuck into meat as Halal and Kosher meat was on offer.
They watched 300 fellow Scouts on Brownsea Island renew their vows to build a tolerant and peaceful society at the poignant Sunrise Ceremony, on Brownsea Island, via a live satellite link on Wednesday.
The ceremony was broadcast around the globe to 28 million youngsters.
One Scout who took part in the ceremony said: "I was really disappointed we couldn't have what we liked to eat.
"I thought we should have been given the choice. And not being able to light fires was silly. I go camping with my mum and dad and we always have a small fire. It's not hard to be safe if you're sensible."
read later
Please tell me this is satire. This “you can’t do anything that offends my religion” garbage has gotten old. Fast.
Hey, don’t ask me... Maybe I misinterpreted. But she should I should replan my whole menu around ONE vegetarian friend?!! She was offended that I would just make dishes for my friend to eat and not change the whole meal... :(
Yet I do find the pot plant circle time interesting.
And what the heck’s a banger?
A scout is a young man who lives by a code,
To protect his honor, and take the high road,
He faces temptation, but doesn't give in,
The scout law gives him the foundation to win.
A scout is trustworthy, he's loyal, true blue,
Helpful, friendly, courteous to me and to you
Kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty every cent,
A scout is brave, clean, and reverent.
A scout is trustworthy, faithful to the end,
In keeping his promises, you can depend,
He's loyal to family, school, and to friends,
And to our great nation that he defends.
A scout recognizes the people of the world,
He's eco friendly to the Earth's citizens
Keeping diet from things that offend,
And passing the pot pipe of peace
Among those who seek an altered state.
“mmmmmm.... this IS a tasty burger.”
Say, is that a “Big Kahuna’s” burger? He’ll need a tasty beverage to wash that down!
I had a few Jewish friends at UseNIX conventions. A few of them made special trips to the local grocery store to acquire foods that met their requirements. No big deal. We each purchased foods satisfactory for our preferences. Nobody took offense at the foods chosen. We just ate and had a fine time.
Oh, the Hindus
hate the Muslims,
and the Muslims
hate the Hindus,
and the Catholics
hate the Protestants
and everybody hates the Jews!
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Still trying to figure out is this is SATIRE and Dear GOD I hope it is.
and just pinged it.
Thanks for the ping SandRat. Here’s another one from unjolly ole England:
Muslims protest over pet food factory that could ‘rain down’ pork
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1874044/posts
Oy. “Scoutmaster” is on site, maybe he’ll post a report of his experiences when he gets home.
Why can’t they use common sense in Britain?
Dear GOD I hope so.
Speaking of Scouts will be checking out of FR at 1830 hrs to attend a Scout meeting.
Maybe it’s an exaggeration. You can’t believe the media, anywhere. It seems so obvious, as others have said up the thread, to have various troops prepare whatever sorts of food suit them.
And even if it’s a dry year, they could have fire fighting presence sufficient to allow campfires, on such a historic occasion.
No official news from Council, Region, or National on this yet.
They watched 300 fellow Scouts on Brownsea Island renew their vows to build a tolerant and peaceful society at the poignant Sunrise Ceremony, on Brownsea Island, via a live satellite link on Wednesday.
as if the meat ban and fire ban was just for this particular ceremony, involving a very limited group of Scouts.
And frankly, I don't recall "vows to build a tolerant and peaceful society" being part of Boy Scouting at all. Maybe it was just a goofball subgroup that arranged to hold a love-in on Brownsea Island.
No. Bangers are much better than hot dogs.
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