Columbine Father - 12 years later

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

My dad emailed this to me, I thought I would just pass it on here.

Worth your time!

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 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.

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, mind, 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 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.

"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!"
Darrell Scott

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech. Please send this out to everyone you can.
God Bless

[TD2K]

Whose prayers should be held in school? Protestant? If so, which branch: Baptist? Lutheran? Anglicans? Methodists? Pentecostals? Catholic? Mormon? Jewish? Muslim? Native American? (just to name a few). Rotate? Draw names out of a hat?

I can imagine the screams when someone's child comes home and the parents find out they were asked to recite the 'wrong' prayer.

And what good does prayer do in school? I remember reciting the Lord's prayer in school and that's all it was: recital. I didn't think about it when I was saying it or later, none of my friends every talked about it, it definitely didn't install or build on any religious foundation that I recall.

[Spellbound454]

I understand that he is looking for answers but not everyone is religious...and to suggest that this is the answer to all of society's problems is nonsense.
There may well be a moral vacuum...and that begins and ends in the home. Perhaps as tt suggests parents should be taking greater care of their kids.

...but like it or not these two acted this way...because they could.
Put guns in the hands of maniacs and people die.

[Deleted]

www.snopes.com/politics/guns/scott.asp

It seemed strange that when he was testifying about his daughter's death that there was a passage about his son dying under a table.

This is a slightly modified version of testimony that was delivered in 1999. The gist is true - he was trying to point the finger away from the NRA and supporting school prayer. But it did get decent press coverage at the time.

No father should have to endure what Mr. Scott has experienced with the death of his daughter. But I'm not sure that tragedy necessarily makes him an expert on school prayer.

[Deleted]

The over medication of children had more to do with columbine than the under praying....

Religion has never been very successful at dispelling the kind of hostile environment that existed at columbine... As a matter of fact didn't some state effectively pass a religious exemption for bullying?....

[Deleted]

Whose prayers should be held in school? Protestant? If so, which branch: Baptist? Lutheran? Anglicans? Methodists? Pentecostals? Catholic? Mormon? Jewish? Muslim? Native American? (just to name a few). Rotate? Draw names out of a hat?

I'm not a religious person. I to was "forced" to pray in school & hated it. However I wouldn't object to a 3 or 4 minute break with the kids standing. I don't see a need for it but on the other hand it doesn't offend me. I don't think that you should be forced to pray to someones else's GOD, but then by naming one religion all we are doing is trying to build an argument about it.

Funny but even though I'm not religious I do remember "praying?" before a few tests (closing my eyes & saying please let me get through this). Something similar goes on in the military when people are shooting at you & your helpless (so I've heard). I don't think praying is a bad thing BUT I do believe in separation of church & state. I'm not radically against religion like some are because I believe that if more people were religious we would have a better society. After all most of our basic laws are based on religion. I think we have to find a happy medium of some sort, possibly calling for a 3 minute reflection (or day dream) period without pushing religion.

[deziloooooo]

My reaction to this post is how easy it is for so many to just try to minimize and explain away the fathers statement , analyze it , dissect and criticize it , rather then just read it, and while possible not agreeing with every syllable and all the ideas presented, also realize that , while not a cure all and a total answer to this tragedy and what the man and many feel is a problem in our society, he really isn't wrong in what he is saying...just read and possible listen instead of the knee jerk reaction, IMHO, of having to come back with a rebuttal....

[moon/Laura]

Sorry A-man.. but I stopped allowing threads involving religion a while back because very few have figured out how to be civil in discussion surrounding it.

[fairlycrazy23]

I think prayer should be allowed in school, that is students should be free during there own time (lunch, before/after school) to gather and pray, if the school has clubs, such as chess club, photography club whatever, students should be allowed to have a prayer clubs. All this would be things initiated only by students and not by teachers or faculty, and could not allow a 'christian prayer club' without allowing other faiths as well.

As far as gun control etc..

You can't stop insane people from doing insane things by passing insane laws.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

To me, the saddest legacy of Columbine has been the copycat school shootings which have followed.

[Jaguar]

Mar 5, 2012 17:54:56 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

To me, the saddest legacy of Columbine has been the copycat school shootings which have followed.

[Deleted]

Raising loving, kind and peaceful children is not the job of teachers.

[beags]

It matters not what religion is allowed to pray in the school. I think every child that wants to should be allowed to do so on their own time, after school, before school, at lunch, during tragedies. I'm not saying that EVERY child should have to do that, just the ones that want to. It's the same with people who say why should they be allowed to do so, I don't like prayer. Well nobody is forcing anyone to pray. when you say someone should not be allowed to pray because it takes away your rights. .. what about the person who wants to pray. . .are you not trying to take away their right to do so? I can see both sides of the issue, but I would never tell someone that they can't pray because I'm against it.

I also agree that this starts at home. Those two boys did that because they were bullied, they felt hatred against every kid in that school. Those who bullied them, and those who allowed it to happen by not saying a word. Where does the problem lie? Does it lie with those two boys? Yes, there was a better way to deal with this. But should it also not lie with people not being able to teach their children some compassion? This isn't the school's job, this is a parent's job.

School shootings and all the hatred in this country needs to be addressed. People can blame whatever they want and whoever they want. Bottom line the fault lies with the person/people who harmed the other person. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Why do so many teach our young children that someone or something else is always to blame? If the child did wrong, the child is to blame . . not anyone else . . teach the child to take responsibility for his/her own actions . . .maybe then you will see all this senseless killings stop. (Perhaps not . . but I have to believe that teaching our children compassion and personal responsibility is a great start)


I'm not just preaching here. I teach my children to take responsibility, and I teach my children compassion. I had one child who was bullied relentlessly, came home crying 4 out of 5 school days. That child never learned hatred, never thought to kill the bullies. . .why is that? Well I have to believe it had something to do with how we raised our daughter.

My son I found out had bullied another kid, did I allow him to blame someone else? NO, I didn't. He wrote an apology letter to the teacher who had to deal with it, the student he bullied, AND his parents. A few years later he got into an incident with a teacher . . . again, I made him take responsibility . . he was made to write another letter and apologise to the teacher, and the principal.

I don't allow my children to blame someone else when they do wrong. They know that, for we (hubby and I) have taught them that.

We don't allow our children to be hateful .. we teach them compassion instead.

So I just don't preach it . .. I teach it. Is it easy to raise kids this way? NO, it isn't, it takes work, it means that sometimes you may not be the most liked person on earth . . . but hey, that's parenting. I'm a parent first, a friend second.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

That is a great post beags.. That's exactly how it is around my place too.. All three of my boys are learning to be good men, and if there is an issue we address it, even if our kid is the problem. We refuse to be the kind of parents that sit there with our heads in the sand about things like that.

People can blame whatever they want and whoever they want. Bottom line the fault lies with the person/people who harmed the other person. Whatever happened to personal responsibility? Why do so many teach our young children that someone or something else is always to blame? If the child did wrong, the child is to blame . . not anyone else . . teach the child to take responsibility for his/her own actions . . .maybe then you will see all this senseless killings stop. (Perhaps not . . but I have to believe that teaching our children compassion and personal responsibility is a great start)

I think that is one if the dad's biggest points. Is that the politicians have tired to coddle people so much that all responsible for individual action has been removed and by trying to appease everyone they have REMOVED a big part of what this country was built on and that is the spirit.

As an aside, we were out for supper last night at a restaurant and my four year old says, we have to say the BLESSING.. The looks that you get from people, it's funny. Then they all wonder why our kids sit a behave throughout the meal... ;D

[roygrip]

Great post Beags

Thanks for sharing the Letter ahamburger

I think that those here that are posting they're negative two cents, need to just hear the message of the father. Imagine your feelings and sentiments upon loosing a child. How aweful. Prayer is an individual thing. And Columbine is about responsibility. One of the sad things about our society in just my generation, (I'm 54) is the breakdown of family units, so that responsibilities and values can be taught. It's tough on single family homes where a parent does give a damn to be around with work responsibilities etc, for the kids. What about the single family homes where the parent doesn't give a damn due to addiction issues, etc. I live in a big city, I see it. All of it adds up to violence and I don't give a damn attitudes in kids.

A friend was just held up, and shot in the leg by two 12 year olds! In a park in a nice neighbor hood. Two twin brothers, dropped off for a gang initiation, mother worked two jobs, no dad and they were latchkey kids with no supervision. Columbine was about hate, so is gang violence. When asked why, the kids said, we don't give a damn, we'll be dead soon.

The right to pray is our own, no one has a right to decide for us.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

I agree tough that there is no solution to evil. I think that is the biggest problem with he whole debate. Life is a balance, that is what it's all about. We can never rid the world of evil, however, we can continue to teach civility. We are way less ruthless than we were in times gone by, and we have had to teach ourselves to be this way.

This is by far the parents job and I agree with roygrip (NP on the article BTW) that there has been a breakdown in the family unit over the past 30 years. However, my generation(I'm 29) isn't giving up on it. With the massive amounts of goods that have been produced, there is an opportunity for economic expansion with less and we can get back to the core of what built this country; the family and the Spirit.

Mandatory religion course doesn’t infringe on freedoms, top court rules
www.canadianlawyermag.com/legalfeeds/704/Mandatory-religion-course-doesnt-infringe-on-freedoms-top-court-rules.html

[roygrip]

Sadly it is true. You can have the best parenting possible and one child becomes the president, the other a sociopathic killer. Nonetheless as parents, it's our job to do the best we can by our kids, and attempt to see problems as the arise and not just say "oh he'll grow out of killing the neighbors cats" (Of course I'm using extremes.) Still I feel Columbine points fingers at not only the kids responsible themselves but the parents and to a lesser extent the teachers along the way and even friends. We as a whole don't want to get involved. If someone noticed something along the way, said something, would it have changed the outcome..... Probably not, people will do what their gonna do. It's so sad.

[roygrip]

Mar 7, 2012 8:10:39 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

The only thing that might have stopped what happened was prying those kids apart and keeping them apart. Apparently, from what I have read, one of the two was considerably more bloodthirsty. Without his leadership, the other might have had a very normal life.

agreed! Usually one is a leader and one a follower. The leader usually doesn't led if he doesn't have an audience. I always want to believe that someone say something along the way, and didn't react.

[Tennesseer]

Mar 7, 2012 8:07:50 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Sadly it is true. You can have the best parenting possible and one child becomes the president, the other a sociopathic killer. Nonetheless as parents, it's our job to do the best we can by our kids, and attempt to see problems as the arise and not just say "oh he'll grow out of killing the neighbors cats" (Of course I'm using extremes.) Still I feel Columbine points fingers at not only the kids responsible themselves but the parents and to a lesser extent the teachers along the way and even friends. We as a whole don't want to get involved. If someone noticed something along the way, said something, would it have changed the outcome..... Probably not, people will do what their gonna do. It's so sad.

William and James Bulger of Boston are a good example of that.

[roygrip]

Mar 7, 2012 10:59:50 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Mar 7, 2012 8:07:50 GMT -5 roygrip said:

Sadly it is true. You can have the best parenting possible and one child becomes the president, the other a sociopathic killer. Nonetheless as parents, it's our job to do the best we can by our kids, and attempt to see problems as the arise and not just say "oh he'll grow out of killing the neighbors cats" (Of course I'm using extremes.) Still I feel Columbine points fingers at not only the kids responsible themselves but the parents and to a lesser extent the teachers along the way and even friends. We as a whole don't want to get involved. If someone noticed something along the way, said something, would it have changed the outcome..... Probably not, people will do what their gonna do. It's so sad.

William and James Bulger of Boston are a good example of that.

True to an extent Tenn. But William was almost as bad as James (Whitey) in that he covered for his brother, William was definately dirty.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

Mar 7, 2012 6:52:01 GMT -5 @toughtimes said:

I agree there has been a degradation of family life, and frankly community life too, hence not many bowling leagues or Rotarians. Alas, it is so easy to reflexively blame parents for their madmen children. Sometimes this is indeed true, rotten parenting. On the other hand, instances where every child turns out normal except for the weirdo are common too.


I've known parents who produced such, including one family known to mine for three generations, where one son became a drug addict so violent that he spent time physically locked in rehab. He threatened to kill family members for that and for a while did not even know where his own sisters lived after they married and moved out. Fortunately, he did eventually improve and his parents were probably the ones responsible for the improvement. They had little or nothing to do with the drugs though.

Look at cases like the "unabomber." One son the madman. The other one the son who stopped the madman and is now petitioning to keep him off death row. What a terrible choice: turn in your own brother for a possible death-sentence or let the carnage continue unabated.

I agree tough, once children grow up the choices they start making will affect them dearly. Drugs are a huge problem and have ruined many peoples lives. Personal choice is still what guides us as adults.

There is no guarantee that good parenting will mean that your kid will be a good person, however, I can guarantee there will be a better shot.

[stocktrader]

Wow what a good speech.

[mrsdutt]

This so good, I put it on my FB page.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Oh my. I can't stop the tears.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

It's sad for sure GEL. This is why I think kids need time everyday to think of something greater than themselves.. It would reduce the risk I say.

[violagirl]

We had prayer in school growing up, along with every holiday which I also did not participate in. I don't think reciting a prayer to a God you don't believe in is very meaningful. I did learn some things from prayer in school though, even at an early age. I learned how to respectfully decline to obey authority figures when my conscience dictates otherwise. It is not easy as a six year old to tell your teacher you will not participate in a class activity. Also, to be respectful of other's beliefs. That would be in my case, just sitting quietly, or leaving the class room whole they did their thing. Learning that part of the responsibility of having individual rights is the right for others to see things differently. The ability to analyze a situation and make ethical/moral decisions when things are not black and white. And to be able to be different from the crowd, to think individually. And be ok with that.

[mmhmm]

Sept 15, 2012 10:52:06 GMT -5 violagirl said:

We had prayer in school growing up, along with every holiday which I also did not participate in. I don't think reciting a prayer to a God you don't believe in is very meaningful. I did learn some things from prayer in school though, even at an early age. I learned how to respectfully decline to obey authority figures when my conscience dictates otherwise. It is not easy as a six year old to tell your teacher you will not participate in a class activity. Also, to be respectful of other's beliefs. That would be in my case, just sitting quietly, or leaving the class room whole they did their thing. Learning that part of the responsibility of having individual rights is the right for others to see things differently. The ability to analyze a situation and make ethical/moral decisions when things are not black and white. And to be able to be different from the crowd, to think individually. And be ok with that.

Very well said, and very true.

[Aman A.K.A. Ahamburger]

I don't think reciting a prayer to a God you don't believe in is very meaningful.

That's not what I'm saying. What you're saying is my point, you learned to look outside yourself viola. Mission accomplished, that's what we are missing today, IMO.