There has been a mixed reaction to news that Girlguiding has dropped the word God from its Promise.

The organisation announced earlier this week that the new Promise would see the words 'to be true to myself and develop my beliefs' replace 'to love my God'. The Promise is made by all girls and volunteers when they join Girlguiding.

The updated wording, changed following a consultation involving 44,000 people, would make guiding 'truly open to all girls and women', the organisation said in a statement. It would also 'create a space where those of all faiths and none can find a home'.

Girlguiding has 'obviously taken a thought-through' step in altering the long-established basis of its promise to encourage girls to "love my God",' the Girls' Brigade said in response to the change.
'While I agree with their assertion that "formal religion" isn't the only route to develop faith,' added Girls' Brigade's National Director Ruth Gilson, 'this step does seem to be an intentional shift away from having any Christian basis at the core of Girlguiding as a movement.'
 

She said this wasn't the case with Girls' Brigade.

'For Girls' Brigade, being a part of Church in the local community, committed to being people of Christian faith and providing space for girls and women to discover what this could mean for their lives is what we were founded to be.
'We welcome all girls, have lots of fun, are passionate to see girls and women grow, achieve and make a positive difference in their communities

 and we're excited to be part of the life and mission of Church.'

But former MP Anne Widdecombe described it as an "appalling decision" and an example of the "me society".
Speaking on Premier Christian Radio she claimed it was totally unnecessary. 'The crucial thing is this,' she said, 'Removing God and saying I'll be true to myself.  If you want an example of the 'Me Society', you can look to the Girl Guides.'

Elsewhere the British Humanist Association, which responded to the consultation, welcomed what it described as a 'progressive step'.
BHA chief executive Andrew Copson said, 'We welcome the fact that the new Promise is about personal integrity and ongoing and active self-re

flection, both of which sit well alongside a sense of responsibility to others and to the community.

'Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK so today's decision is hugely significant. Their initiative sends out a strong signal that young people who do not see themselves as belonging to any religion have values that are worthy of respect and should be explicitly welcomed and catered for in any activity that seeks to be genuinely inclusive. We were delighted to play our own part in helping to bring this positive change about.'

The updating also saw the words 'to serve the Queen and my community' replace 'to serve the Queen and my country'. The changes will take effect from 1 September.

It's the 11th change to the Promise in Girlguiding's 103 year history.