Expressions like non-discrimination and faith-based are the kind of words that make some people nervous, possibly with good valid reason. The explanation below is probably not going to make extremists on either side feel happy, which is probably a Good Thing. The rest of us perhaps don't need to read this much text, but it was an interesting exercise to put it together.
Advice? Go see Activities, that's good stuff.
What does it mean, when you see the words “faith-based” in a program description?
Some people are emboldened. I don’t think they should.
Other people get upset, and want to run away. They shouldn’t, either, at least not yet.
As with so many things affecting and affected by ideology and politics, the term “faith-based” has lost whatever precise meaning it ever had, if any. Loosely, it gets to be interpreted today as something somehow connected with a church or a religion.
Just in case you didn’t know, church or religion are not the same thing as a living faith.
Between one thing and another, “faith-based” means whatever anyone cares to make it mean. Yes, there are some “official” definitions used by different layers of government, and then a strong opposition denouncing easy-to-find bigotry, often making things worse by supporting religious discrimination and even more extreme bullying than whatever they complained about. Wars of religion, ever heard that expression?
Within many other viewpoints, not all of them valid, our understanding of a personal faith goes somewhere along the following lines, being aware that this subject is inherently personal, and will need some effort in community to arrive to a “we” sense that actually works. A kind of a baseline, for now at least, goes this way:
In many ways, the details are inspired by rather conventional 21st century non-denominational Christian Evangelical creed and practice in the United States, hopefully keeping the best and avoiding the worst.
The best, honest explanation on how to survive this confusion went along the lines of, “it is written in Scripture. As to how it works exactly, we don’t know.” And, who knows… Maybe this is a good thing? It definitely helps in keeping us humble, if humble is something that we allow us to be. The worst approach is, of course, “I believe exactly what he says,” referring to some kind of personality.
Within that framework, and to the extent that all participants to LSC, staff, campers, families can manage to respect these principles, even if not outright big-B believe in them, we can manage. Especially and as long as we understand and accept to enjoy life side by side people with rather different opinions about the details. Or even with a different kind of faith or labels, or even alleging to have no faith at all, which is actually an impossible for humans. Even evolution and capital-S Science have become religious ideologies with very jealous high priests and scriptures that must be believed, without discussion or else.
But, we can, and should, get along, as Jesus told us, and, even better, as he shown us by His example.
Remember, LSC operates by example and being good role-models and good peers to each other.
See now where we got that idea from?
And that’s exactly where the rubber meets the road.
LSC exists, more than anything, because those of us who started it do firmly believe in Jesus, his Gospel of Salvation, and the duty to do the very best that we can, to serve others, plus some pointers on how to get it done. It is maybe a sad fact that not even among ourselves do we agree regarding every single detail of what even that single sentence means. When we seek guidance in Scripture, and some of us do that a lot, we find different words inspiring each one of us. Similarly, yes; exactly the same, no. We do pray, yet we go about that in different ways.
Funny, or sad, your take, many of us say we would want better unity, but perhaps we are wise in not trying to force it...
One commonality, by definition different for each person and the very core of making this kind of diversity actually bring us together instead of dividing us, is that individual, personal relationship with God is THE essential element without which nothing else makes sense. We do not require it from campers or staff, but, just by hanging around, don't be surprised that you get to understand what it means. If someone comes to tell us that we must believe exactly something, whatever that is, we try to be courteous but some of us will be looking for the nearest exit, and we advise that you do likewise.
Is this some form of sugar-free, low-fat Gospel? We certainly hope not - but rather the contrary. A group of people humbly trying to livethe Gospel daily, in as true-as-we-can agape (Wikipedia on agape), not pushing lessons or rituals but letting Creation do any teaching better than we ever could, while ourselves strive to be an example of good choices and life skills. Together...
Let’s bottom-line this chapter, and then move on.
First, everyone is welcome to LSC, just like Jesus welcomes everyone. That, simply said, is our commitment to not discriminate. We do pray. We do Bible work, if nothing else because understanding some Koine Greek is quite fun, but mostly as a textual inspiration for all kind of life skills, including for example and not limited to camping and wilderness survival. Too bad it’s kind of thin regarding sailing... Speaking of, the Ten Commandments are maybe one of the best and most popular ever top-10-list of life skills. Totally not a bad source to get started in that field.
Just for the record, nobody is required to pray, but a respectful silence is indeed a minimal expectation of courtesy. If this could be a problem, would you let us know, please?
A final note, for a particular audience: maybe you’ve been hurt by a church or religion. Just so you know, many of us have had that kind of experience, which, alas, is far too common, and it’s a shame.
You’ve already proven a lot of intelectual honesty and effort, if you read all the way here.
We firmly believe that you and your child deserve the best. It is possible that LSC is “it,” or perhaps not. It makes total sense that, having been hurt, you have honest concerns regarding a "faith-based program."
Can we talk? Even if you don’t end up signing up for LSC, we would want to leave with you a sense that not all people that go to church are nasty, as we also know quite well that there are good people that do not trust religion any more. Actually, the Bible talks about that issue, also!