Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm?

Darrell Scott, the ather of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's sub-committee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. 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 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 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 a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation?

We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, 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!"

PLEASE... Do what the media did not...let the nation hear this man's speech.

Please send this out to everyone you can.

WOW. This one really moved me........had to share and hope you will too.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), February 16, 2001

Answers

Just a nudge.....

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), February 16, 2001.

Gotta link to the story Deano?

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), February 16, 2001.

Sorry to disappoint, Deano, but this is an urban legend that's been making the rounds. I myself have gotten this in e-mail form three times, attributed to three different authors. As soon as I get a moment, I'll dig out a reference.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), February 16, 2001.

Ain't

Unfortunately not. My boss passed it to me in text. I'm not sure where he got it from.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), February 16, 2001.

Sorry to disappoint, Deano, but this is an urban legend

NOT! I have seen Darrell Scott give a in the flesh testimony VERY similar to this.

You are mistaken if you feel this to be a contrived POV of his. It is REAL!

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), February 16, 2001.

And urban legend?? Really?? Damn, seemed so believable......

I still agree with the message though.

Deano

-- Deano (deano@luvthebeach.com), February 16, 2001.

You've outlawed simple prayer.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Prayer is not outlawed. It cannot be so until the machine is created which can read our minds and hearts. Period.

For those of you who cannot conceive of silent prayer being effective, I ask to whom do you pray? Is the target not thought to be omniscient? Then prayer need not be audible to be effective.

End Rant.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), February 16, 2001.

Ain't-

Sorry to disappoint, but whether or not Darrell Scott has an opinion similar to this chain letter is irrelevant. The whole point of the urban legend is that Mr. Scott testified to this, verbatim, in front of congress, not that Mr. Scott shares these views. Unfortunately, this text has been attributed to at least three other parents from two different school shootings.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), February 16, 2001.

Good point, Rich, and another example of an urban legend. Lots of people will swear that prayer is not allowed in school, however, no one is able to point to a law which specifically outlaws prayer. Students, faculty, and staff are allowed to pray wherever and whenever they want. They are not allowed to force others to be involved in their prayer however.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), February 16, 2001.

This one drives me mad, mad, mad! You want to pray out loud en masse? I applaud you. I support you. Now go someplace where there are others of like mind. So simple.

-- Rich (howe9@shentel.net), February 16, 2001.