Chief Seattle Council's Adult Leader Registration Revoked

Recently the Boy Scouts of America's membership standard of "duty to God" has been challenged in a national public forum.

Following you will find facts surrounding the dismissal of Darrell Lambert and the BSA's response.

Facts About Darrell Lambert's Dismissal

• Darrell Lambert is 19 years old and served as an assistant Scoutmaster. He is not a youth member, and he signed an adult application with the standard Declaration of Religious Principle.
   
• Mr. Lambert, acting as an adult leader, stated his atheistic beliefs at a Boy Scout outdoor training meeting in October.
   
• Chief Seattle Council Scout Executive Brad Farmer revoked Mr. Lambert's membership after three discussions with him over a 10-day period. Mr. Farmer explained the consequences of Lambert's position but made no effort to persuade him to change his beliefs. He did suggest that Mr. Lambert take time to discuss the issue with his parents and others whom he trusted and respected.
   
• Of course, Mr. Farmer was not present at Mr. Lambert's Eagle review board, so we do not know what was, or was not, discussed. Mr. Lambert's Eagle Scout Award has not been revoked. Further, no plans are in place to do so. He is still an active participant in a Learning for Life Explorer search and rescue post.
   
• Mr. Lambert has the standard 60-day period to appeal the revocation of his membership to a regional review committee, as does anyone whose membership in the Boy Scouts of America is revoked. If the council's decision is upheld, from the date of the regional review committee's letter, Lambert will have 30 days to request a National Council review of the local council's action.
   
• The Chief Seattle Council has received more than 1,500 e-mails of support.

Membership Standards for Adult Leaders

All adult leaders in the Boy Scouts of America are required to observe the Scout Oath, which includes an obligation to do one's "duty to God"; the Scout Law, which includes an obligation to be reverent toward God; and the Declaration of Religious Principle. The BSA does not define God or the practice of religion.

The BSA does not ask any person to compromise his or her beliefs. But it would be a disservice to the millions of Scouts and their families to allow individuals to selectively obey or ignore elements of the Scout Oath and Law, statements that define the principles and values of Scouting.

Membership Standards for Youth

In the Boy Scout Oath, a Scout recognizes his "duty to God," and the Scout Law requires a Scout to be reverent. Scouting is broadly ecumenical, and the nondenominational values of the Scout Oath and Law attract members to Scouting from numerous religions. Everyone from Methodists and Catholics to Hindus is welcome. All that is required is the acknowledgment of belief in God as stated in the Scout Oath and the ability to be reverent as stated in the Scout Law.

Scouting exists as a voluntary association of like-minded persons. It would be a disservice to the more than 5 million members of Scouting who hold the Scout Oath and Law close to their hearts to allow some members to ignore one of our principles. Indeed, these principles collectively define Scouting.

The Supreme Court Decision

In June 2000, in the Dale case, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Boy Scouts of America can determine its standards of membership. This decision establishes the right of the BSA to define its membership in regard to "duty to God" as well.

# # #
 

[Home] [Breaking News] [Post Dale Events] [BSA & Gays] [BSA & Religion]  [Girls in BSA] [BSA Funding] [BSA & Schools] [World Scouting] [Girl Scouts  USA] [Bookstore] [BSA in the Courts] [Groups] [Links & Info] [Site Updates ]

This page was last modified on Wednesday, 28 October, 2009.
© 2001-2008. All Rights Reserved. For more information, see the the copyright/disclaimer page.
E-mail Contact: Webmaster@BSA-Discrimination.org

Please note that all unsolicited communication to this web site
become the property of BSA-Discrimination.org
and are subject to publication.