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William D. Randall's Blog (of no particular interest to no one in particular)
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"We Have Just Begun to Fight...." Winston Churchill "Audentes Fortuna Juvat" - "Fortune Favors the Bold"
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Saturday, November 20, 2004
When Will They Work For Us All? I wrote this to my representative to oppose H.Res 853. While Congress is attempting to praise the Boy Scouts, they fail to make any mention of their discriminatory practices. Dear Representative, I am writing this letter to request that you vote against H.Res. 853, praising the Boy Scouts of America. While the Boy Scouts of America was a fine organization that instills values in young men and young adults through its explorer program, the organization has shifted away from its core values to become a discriminatory organization today. When I was seven, I joined Tiger Cubs, the first program for boys while in elementary school. I wanted to go camping, hang out with friends, and help others in my community. From there I progressed into Cub Scouts earning the Wolf rank while I lived in Culver City. In 1992, my family moved to Orange County, California where I joined the local Cub Scout Pack in order to continue to make friends, and go camping. While I was discussing the requirements for the Bear rank with my Den mother a question arose for which a person at my young age, nine at the time, would have a difficult time answering. The requirement was for the scout to discuss how the scout and the scout's family practiced their religion in their daily lives. I was raised in a very open-minded household and my parents allowed my brother and me to study and learn about different religions on our own. I even attended a Christian pre-school. When I explained to my Den mother that my family did not attend a church or practice a specific religious belief, she seemed aghast by the statement. She then immediately placed a call to the Scoutmaster, unsure of how to handle the situation. The day after the meeting my father received a phone call from the Scoutmaster and a scout executive from the local scout council stating that if my brother and I were to remain in scouting we would have to profess a belief in god. They stated that we were in violation of the Scouts "declaration of religious principles." I could have walked away from scouting at that moment but we decided to persevere. We would take the issue to court in order to ensure that my brother and I could continue in scouting. From 1992 to 1998, I was involved in Randall, et al. v. Boy Scouts of America, Orange County Council Inc. (17 Cal. 4th 736) I was fortunate to remain in scouting throughout the case continuing through Cub Scouting and attaining the Webelos and the Arrow of Light, the highest rank in Cub Scouts. I joined a local Boy Scout troop soon thereafter. A scout is told to uphold the Scout Law. A scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Friendly, Helpful, Courteous, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Cheerful, Obedient, Kind and Reverent. Under reverence, a scout is to practice their religion as they have been taught and to respect the beliefs of others. As a scout who does not profess a belief in god, I would be violating the scout law if I said god in the scout oath. Many of my fellow scouts wondered what all the fuss was about, telling me that I should just mouth the word. I believed that by just mouthing the words, I would violate the Scout Law. Despite unkind remarks from some scouts, I continued to thrive in Boy Scouting. My fellow scouts voted me into the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout Honor Society. I went on numerous camping trips, I traversed the trails of the Philmont Scout Ranch in Northern New Mexico, and I was awarded the Eagle Scout rank by my troop. I understand that this letter may reach you with very little notice, as I was made aware of the resolution this evening. I ask you to vote in opposition of H.Res. 853. Many young men who share similar beliefs have been denied the ability to participate in the Boy Scouts of America. No other youth organization in America today has the same devotion to community service and it is a shame that young men are being denied this opportunity. I personally hold the Boy Scouts in high regard and I would vote for House Resolution 853 myself if the circumstances were different. However, the organization has not shown the ability to respect the beliefs of others including non-theists and even the Unitarians. Representative Issa is incorrect by assuming this is true. Please oppose House Resolution 853. Sincerely, William D. Randall Eagle Scout
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