All in Good Faith

Author(s): Jean Potter, Marcus Braybrooke
Publisher: World Congress of Faiths

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All in Good Faith
Developments within the Guide Movement may be taken as an example. Every three years the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts holds a Conference in different host countries attended by delegates from well over a hundred nations. The religious basis of the Association was defined in 1972 when it was agreed that belief in 'a power outside oneself, a force greater than man' was the fundamental and unifying factor among its seven million
members world-wide.
After a week of 'conferencing', during which old friendships are renewed, new ones made, hopes and fears shared and the aims of the Association to help girls and women to grow in mind, body and spirit are discussed in the differing contexts of the social, political and religious situations of the member countries, the delegates invariably feel the need to participate in some form of acknowledgment of their own beliefs and spirituality. In this context Guiders and Scouters from different faiths join together in moving and sincere acts of worship through which they express their commitment to the aims of the Association.
Similarly at national, regional or county level within the United Kingdom, when Guiders get together for conferences, seminars and training events, they often feel the need to re-commit themselves to the aims of the Guide Movement in an act of worship, a period of guided meditation or through suitable prayers. And where, as is now often the case, there are Guiders from more than one faith community present, care is taken that all present can participate fully in such an act of commitment. Such a principle is also encouraged in the local units of Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and Young Leaders when girls from different faith communities are members, so that each girl feels that her own religious belief is of equal validity, and is recognized and respected by all other members of her unit. The multifaith character of the membership determined that the worship also would be multifaith.
'A Matter of Controversy'.
By the mid-sixties the question of 'interfaith worship' was just beginning to become a matter of controversy. Although the debate was mainly between Christians, it is helpful for people of any faith who wish to arrange a service to be aware of Christian sensitivities and the possible difficulties of holding a multi-faith service in a church.
In 1965 a 'Ceremony of Religious Affirmation' was arranged at St Mary-le-Bow to mark the opening of the Commonwealth Arts Festival. The event, which was attended by Prince Philip, included readings offered by representatives of each of the great world religions. The
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