Thanks for the link. I found the following testimony to be both heart-wrenching and heart-warming at the same time. It's nice to know that even in the worst of times, some people can still display the moral courage to stand up and identify the real reasons behind the decline of Western civilization.
TESTIMONY OF DARRELL SCOTT FATHER OF TWO VICTIMS OF COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING LITTLETON, COLORADO
BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, MAY 27,1999 2:00 P.M. 2141
RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
Since the dawn of creation, there has been both good and evil in the
heart of men and of 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 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 Able 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 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 that blame lies here in this room. Much of that
blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves.
I wrote a poem just four nights ago that express 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.
Add 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 wreck 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 a historic 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 continue 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 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 an 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 conscience and denies 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 you cast the first stone! My daughter's death
will not be in vain. The young people of this country will not allow
that to happen. |
