The possibility that Girl Guides of Canada will drop any reference to religion from its all-important Guiding Promise is drawing an angry response from parents, who have taken to Facebook to debate the issue.

"This speaks to people's fundamental values, and I think that's why it's touched a nerve," says Louise Simos, whose 9-year-old daughter Alexandra is a Girl Guide in Toronto.

Discussion began almost immediately on a Girl Guides Facebook page late last week after a survey on the promise arrived in the homes of Guiding leaders and families.

Parents from across Canada soon joined the debate, almost universally condemning the survey for containing no option to keep God or faith in the promise.

Chief commissioner Myrtle Corkum said polling found Guiding is seen by most Canadians as a predominantly Christian group.

"We were not viewed as inclusive as we thought we were."

So the group began reviewing its programs, and launched the survey to gauge how members view the promise and its role, Corkum said.

The current promise includes the line, "To be true to myself, my God and Canada." Girls can replace the word "God" with "faith." if they like.

Simos, who has been involved with Guiding since she was a Brownie and served as a district commissioner, wants the reference to God or faith to remain, but can accept removing religious references if that's what most want.

She's upset, however, that the survey sent does not explicitly allow for keeping a faith-based option.

"There's a large number of Guiders who think this is an important part of what Guiding is all about," Simos said. "Their voices need to be at least acknowledged."

The promise was last changed 15 years ago to remove reference to the Queen, prompting the Monarchist League of Canada to call for a boycott of Girl Guide cookies.

Less noticed was the softening of religious references in the promise to give girls the choice between saying "God" or "faith."

Last week's survey asks respondents to choose between two new versions of the line, neither of which makes any reference to religion or faith, or a third option to choose neither. Simos said choosing "neither" isn't good enough. The impression given by the survey's set-up, she said, it that people are expected to pick one of the two versions that are spelled out.

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Corkum, stressing that no decision has been made on final wording, said the survey also asks respondents to rate the importance several possible passages, including, "Being true to your beliefs."

There is also a spot for comments.