April 20, 1999: A father puts Columbine in perspective
Darrell Scott
Thursday, April 20, 2000
On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the 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.
The following is a portion of the transcript:
"Since the dawn of Creation there has been good and evil in the heart of
men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of
violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and 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 be pointed at 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 am 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 make-up, we
create
a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak
havoc.
Spiritual influences were present within our systems for most of our
nation's history.
Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a
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
erode
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 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!"
Thursday, April 20, 2000
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