The Boy Scouts in the UK are going to make changes next week that will welcome atheists to their fold by creating a new oath for them (tentatively called the Atheist Promise) that leaves out god. The scouts had had different oaths to accommodate different religious beliefs but this is the first time they have created one for nonbelievers.

It would simpler if they had followed the UK Girl Guides who last week announced that they were giving up all references to god in their oath, so that everyone takes the same oath. But still, this is progress.

Meanwhile the Girl Scouts of Colorado accepted as a member a seven-year old transgender child, prompting calls for a boycott of girl scout cookies.