Columbine

On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, father of Rachel Scott, a victim
of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton,  Colorado, was invited
to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee.  What he said to
our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully
truthful.  It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every
politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every  so-called
expert!  These courageous words, spoken by Darrell Scott, are powerful,
penetrating, and deeply personal.  There's no doubt that God sent this man
as a voice crying in the wilderness.
>
>The following is a portion of the transcript:
>
> "We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death
of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the the deaths of that
heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain.
Their blood cries out for answers.
>
> "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel
out in the field.  The villain was not the club he used.  Neither was it
the
NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the
reason
for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart."
>
>"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how
quickly fingers began to point to groups such as the NRA.  I am not a
member
of the NRA. I am not a hunter.  I do not even own a gun.  I'm not here to
represent or defend the NRA, because I don't believe that they are
responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they
need to be defended.  If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's
murder, I would be their strongest opponent."
>
> "I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it
was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real
blame lies!  Much of the blame lies here in this room.  Much of the blame
lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.
>
>"I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.
This
was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today.
>
>"Your laws ignore our deepest needs.  Your words are empty air.
>You've stripped away our heritage.  You've outlawed simple prayer.
>Now gunshots fill our classrooms, and precious children die
>You seek for answers everywhere, and ask the question "Why"
>You regulate restrictive laws through legislative creed
>And yet you fail to understand, that God is what we need!
>
>"Men and women are three-part beings.  We all consist of body, soul, and
spirit.  When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our makeup, we
create
a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc.
>
>"Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most
of our nation's history.  Many of our major colleges began as theological
seminaries.  This is an historical fact.  What has happened to us as a
nation?  We have refused to honor God, and in doing so, we open the doors
to
hatred and violence.  And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy
occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA.  They
immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to eroding
away our personal and private liberties.
>
>"We do not need more restrictive laws.  Eric and Dylan would not have been
stopped by metal detectors.  No amount of gun laws can stop someone who
spends months planning this type of massacre.  The real villain lies within
our own hearts.  Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not
the
answers.
>The young people of our nation hold the key.
>
>"There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched!
We do not need more religion.  We do not need more gaudy television
evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage.  We do not need more
million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are
being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment
that
this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!
>
>"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his
two
friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in
school.  I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!  I challenge
every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on
April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our
schools.
>
>"Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain.  Dare
to
move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that
violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.  To those of you who
would point your finger at the NRA, I give to you a sincere challenge.
Dare
to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!
>
>"My daughter's death will not be in vain!  The young people of this
country
will not allow that to happen!"