Father of Columbine Victim Speaks

Gary H · April 14, 2001, 01:41 AM

I received this from someone well placed in the judicial system. I don't know when this was originally posted, or the original source. I don't know if it was previously posted on TFL, but here it is. The text of the Email is as follows:

Subject: FW: Darrell Scott's testimony on the death of his daughter, Rachel.

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, 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. 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 physician, every sociologist, every psychologist, every politician, every judge 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 reek havoc. Spiritual presences 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!"

Do what the media was afraid to do - - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can!!!

**TheBluesMan** · April 14, 2001, 05:44 PM

This testimony (which appears here in its entirety) was given on May 27. 1999.

It was first posted on TFL in this thread back on June 11, 1999.

This is worth re-posting and re-reading again. Thanks!

ivorynikita · April 15, 2001, 01:10 PM

As I sit here at home alone on Easter Sunday because my son is in jail now because he fired a gun after he was attacked by a violent man with a criminal history who also has made threats on the lives of other people. Although the attacker did not use a gun he used a bottle and hit my son in the head with it. My son was told that if he had not been brought into the hospital he would have bled to death. Yet my son who fired a gun and has no criminal, drug or alcohol problems; (not even at the attacker)(s) is considered a "menace to society" and the criminal who attacked my son and supposedly charged with attempted murder on my son is free on $1000. bail. When my son and I originally decided to purchase legal and registered handguns we did so as the result of the rising crime. We often talked about how many lives would have been saved had a responsible gun owner used his/her weapon to save the lives of others. I cannot equate my loss with the loss of your daughter because my son is alive. I want to thank you so much for the post and the re posting of your letter. It makes me grateful that my son is alive. May God bless you and your family. My prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Christine Culliton

Gary H · April 16, 2001, 09:48 AM

Christine:

I'm sorry to hear about your son. It turns out that in many areas, you go to jail if you use a gun. It is almost reflexive. It doesn't mean that you stay in jail.

You should know that there are attorneys that specialize in this sort of case. I have seen this information posted. I would encourage you, if you haven't yet done so, to post information regarding your son and request help with sources that might aid in the defense of your son. It might help to also let us know where you live.

Please keep in mind that when you post, you provide information to EVERYONE. We can deal with vague information, until all is resolved.

April 14, 2001, 05:44 PM	#2
TheBluesMan Staff Join Date: June 15, 1999 Location: Ohio Posts: 7,566	This testimony (which appears here in its entirety) was given on May 27. 1999. It was first posted on TFL in this thread back on June 11, 1999. This is worth re-posting and re-reading again. Thanks! __________________ -Dave Miller ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ! NRA Certified Instructor: Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Home Firearms Safety, Personal Protection. Tick-off Obama - Join the NRA Today - Save $10

April 14, 2001, 01:41 AM	#1
Gary H Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: California Posts: 2,259	I received this from someone well placed in the judicial system. I don't know when this was originally posted, or the original source. I don't know if it was previously posted on TFL, but here it is. The text of the Email is as follows: Subject: FW: Darrell Scott's testimony on the death of his daughter, Rachel. Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, 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. 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 physician, every sociologist, every psychologist, every politician, every judge 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 reek havoc. Spiritual presences 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!" Do what the media was afraid to do - - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can!!!

April 15, 2001, 01:10 PM	#3
ivorynikita Junior Member Join Date: April 9, 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 7	As I sit here at home alone on Easter Sunday because my son is in jail now because he fired a gun after he was attacked by a violent man with a criminal history who also has made threats on the lives of other people. Although the attacker did not use a gun he used a bottle and hit my son in the head with it. My son was told that if he had not been brought into the hospital he would have bled to death. Yet my son who fired a gun and has no criminal, drug or alcohol problems; (not even at the attacker)(s) is considered a "menace to society" and the criminal who attacked my son and supposedly charged with attempted murder on my son is free on $1000. bail. When my son and I originally decided to purchase legal and registered handguns we did so as the result of the rising crime. We often talked about how many lives would have been saved had a responsible gun owner used his/her weapon to save the lives of others. I cannot equate my loss with the loss of your daughter because my son is alive. I want to thank you so much for the post and the re posting of your letter. It makes me grateful that my son is alive. May God bless you and your family. My prayers are with you. Sincerely, Christine Culliton

April 16, 2001, 09:48 AM	#4
Gary H Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2000 Location: California Posts: 2,259	Christine: I'm sorry to hear about your son. It turns out that in many areas, you go to jail if you use a gun. It is almost reflexive. It doesn't mean that you stay in jail. You should know that there are attorneys that specialize in this sort of case. I have seen this information posted. I would encourage you, if you haven't yet done so, to post information regarding your son and request help with sources that might aid in the defense of your son. It might help to also let us know where you live. Please keep in mind that when you post, you provide information to EVERYONE. We can deal with vague information, until all is resolved.