AMERICAN ATHEISTS ACTION ALERT

October 30, 2002

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Support Eagle Scout Darrell Lambert -- Contact BSA and Demand That Atheist Scout Not Be Expelled!

A 19-year-old Eagle Scout from Washington State, Darrell Lambert, faces expulsion from the national BSA simply because he is an Atheist.

The Boy Scouts of America discriminate against Atheists and Gays. Members are required to swear a religious oath, ostensibly to demonstrate that they are of moral character. The requirement is also used to exclude homosexuals.

Millions of young people are thus excluded from an organization that enjoys the status of having a special Congressional Charter. Scouting groups across the country often have close ties to municipalities and government agencies. They receive material and financial aid as well as other forms of assistance. The President of the United States is the Honorary Chair of the BSA. This places government at all levels in the position of supporting a discriminatory organization that refuses to serve Atheists and Gay youth. Is this right?

Darrell Lambert refuses to compromise on his principles. Parents and members of his local Scouting group are also supporting him.

We urge letters and phone calls to the Chief Seattle Council of the BSA. Your communiques should be polite and concise. Tell the Council officials that you support Darrell Lambert, and that one does not require a religious affiliation to be of good character. Write to:

Chief Seattle Council
PO Box 440408
Seattle, WA 98114-4408
phone: 206-725-5200
FAX: 206-723-4330

Address your concerns to:

Brad Farmer, Council Scout Executive
Glen Schmidt, District Committee Chair
Toby Estes, District Scout Executive

Send a copy of your letter to ccletters@atheists.org and we will post it on this web site.

In addition, Coalitions for Inclusive Scouting has suggested places and people to write here.

Other resources: "Scouting For All", a group working to bring diversity and tolerance to Scouting.

Spread the word! Circulate copies of this Action Alert!