Freethought & Rationalism Archive

catmar · 08-07-2003, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony
I grew up in Soviet Union. We didn�t have scouts, but we had something similar.

The organization was called �Pioneers�. It had nothing to do with going around the world and discovering new continents. It was a second age group in communist brainwashing.
The whole structure was:
1-3 graders in school were called �Octoberers� (This name came from October � the month of Great Socialist Revolution in 1917 in Russia);
3-7 graders were called �Pioneers�;
14-28 years old � �Young Communists�;
from 18 till death � �Communists�.

Everybody automatically was enrolled in Octoberers. It was not much political pressure on the young kids. They basically had to follow the god-like image of young Lenin � study well, obey parents and teachers, help Pioneers, etc.

With Pioneers situation was much different. They had to swear to follow the Communist Party policy, help young communist, prepare themselves to protect Soviet Union from enemies, study well (of course), prepare themselves to work hard for the country, etc.

The Young Communists organization was basically a preparation for the Communist Party membership. It was a lot of politics and brainwashing.

So, the point in my story is: it�s all too similar. Definitely governments of different countries developed similar structures to brainwash their people from early childhood to prepare them to serve their political goals and die, if necessary, for it.

No wonder, that we had to believe in communism and you, when you were kids, had to believe in god and stuff.

It was no difference. Same idea � brainwash your people, so it will be easier to control them.

That all, folks.

Good thing that Communist ideology has collapsed and religious ideology is collapsing too.

Cheers.

Sounds pretty much like what my relatives in Cuba have had to deal with.

Dr.GH · 08-08-2003, 02:24 PM

It should be recalled that the "Boy Guides" were a paramilitary group organized in the First World War. As a boy scout during the Viet Nam War, I was booted (more or less) when I was blocked from the eagle award because I was a pacifist (Society of Friends aka quaker) and I was was denied the required "God and Country" award. I saw on the BSA website that there is now a quaker version. I actually no longer think that there should be one.

ohwilleke · 08-11-2003, 11:44 AM

I know of one case in the late 1980s when a boy who was an atheist (and clueless as well, despite being a committed scout) was finessed through with what amounted to Deist claims. It would never happen today, but in our little college town troup it happened.

And it is certainly true that BSA has paramilitary roots which continue to influence the BSA today. BSA is organized on basically a military model (it even has troops, as well as a hierarchical organization).

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08-08-2003, 02:24 PM	#52
Dr.GH Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Dana Point, Ca, USA Posts: 2,115	It should be recalled that the "Boy Guides" were a paramilitary group organized in the First World War. As a boy scout during the Viet Nam War, I was booted (more or less) when I was blocked from the eagle award because I was a pacifist (Society of Friends aka quaker) and I was was denied the required "God and Country" award. I saw on the BSA website that there is now a quaker version. I actually no longer think that there should be one.

08-11-2003, 11:44 AM	#53
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	I know of one case in the late 1980s when a boy who was an atheist (and clueless as well, despite being a committed scout) was finessed through with what amounted to Deist claims. It would never happen today, but in our little college town troup it happened. And it is certainly true that BSA has paramilitary roots which continue to influence the BSA today. BSA is organized on basically a military model (it even has troops, as well as a hierarchical organization).

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