Court to hear gay, atheist cases against Boy Scouts

The Randall Twins in their scouting uniforms

January 5, 1998
Web posted at: 11:41 a.m. EST (1641 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The California Supreme Court is expected to begin hearing arguments Monday in two cases by plaintiffs who say the Boy Scouts of America discriminates against atheists and gays, in violation of their civil rights.

Twin brothers William and Michael Randall, now 16, have been fighting to remain in the Boy Scouts since 1991. They have won numerous awards and commendations during their years in the group.

They are fighting the organization's determination to kick them out because they don't believe in God and want to omit the phrase about "duty to God" in the Boy Scout oath. They also refused to participate in religious activities required to move ahead in scouting.

"I just decided I might as well be honest about it, rather than lie, because it could really hurt my integrity if I were to lie about this," William Randall said. "I couldn't live with myself."

"Plus," his brother interjected, "the Scout law talks about being honest."

When the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America expelled them from their troop, the Randall family sued. Since that time, the boys have been allowed to return and are working toward the rank of Eagle, the highest level of achievement.

As the boys keep scouting, their case continues to attract news coverage and the attention of pundits, some of whom have suggested that they start their own "Atheist Boy Scouts."

The brothers say they don't want an atheist troop. They don't want to change the oath or anything else about Boy Scouts. They just want to stay.

Gay man fights for acceptance in Scouts

Curran has been battling the Boy Scouts since 1981

But Tim Curran, who been fighting his case in the courts since 1981, does want the Boy Scouts to change: He wants the organization to accept gay men like himself as troop leaders. He was an 18-year-old Assistant Scoutmaster in a Mount Diablo Council troop when the Boy Scouts ousted him.

"The parents in my troop wanted to choose me as a leader," he said. "They were informed. They knew me. It should have been up to them."

Boy Scout representatives counter that as a private organization, they can thus choose with whom they associate.

No decision in either case is expected until March. But Michael Randall hopes to win, saying he would feel lost without Scouts in his life. "If I do lose, it's like losing a part of my life, because I spent so long in scouting."

Correspondent Anne McDermott contributed to this report.

Message board:

• Boy Scout message board

Related sites:

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• Boy Scouts of America
  • Orange County Council
  • Mount Diablo Silverado Council
• California Courts and Judicial System
  • Supreme Court of California

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