Boy Scouts Lose Bid to Keep Twins Out of Group

The Boy Scouts of America lost a bid Thursday to keep two Anaheim Hill boys out of the organization because they do not believe in God, attorneys said.

The state Supreme Court on Thursday refused to hear a petition by the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America. That development, in effect, allows twins William and Michael Randall to participate in Scouting while the Boy Scouts pursue an appeal of Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard O. Frazee Sr.’s May ruling.

The 10-year-old boys sued the organization in February, 1991, after Scouting officials told them they could not join unless they accepted a “duty to God.” The Randall boys refused, saying they do not know what God is.

Frazee, in an unprecedented decision, said the Boy Scouts could not discriminate against the boys because of their beliefs, or lack of them.

Both boys are currently participating in a Webelos den in Orange County, said their father, James G. Randall, who was also their attorney in the case.