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SALT LAKE CITY — British Scouts no longer will have to promise to do their duty to God and the queen in order to be part of the group.
NBC News reports Britain's Scouting Association will include a non-religious alternative to the Scout pledge, aimed to be more inclusive of members who are "without a faith."
The group's traditional pledge states, "On my honor, I promise that I will do my best, to do my duty to God and to the Queen, to help other people and to keep the Scout Law."
The new option, available in January 2014, changes the first words to read: "I promise that I will do my best to uphold our Scout values."
The Scouts' website says the alternative promise, "enables the Movement to engage with more young people and adults than ever before, as well as increase inclusivity at a time when membership is the largest it has been since 1999."
