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From: "West" <cwest@
To: <mailto:Undisclosed-Recipients
Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2000 12:35 PM
Subject: [Friends_Of_Vitaland] FOR EVERYONE THAT HAS CHILDREN
On Thursday, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a
victim of the Columbine High School Shootings in Littleton Colorado,
wasinvited 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 is no doubt that God sent this
man
as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the
transcript:
**********************************************************************
"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the
hearts
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 educational
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 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!"
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