A lone prophet speaks to Congress about the Columbine massacre

On the morning of Tuesday, April 20, 1999 at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado, seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold murdered a total of 12 students along with one teacher.They also injured 21 students and then the pair committed suicide.The Columbine massacre is the fourth deadliest mass murder on a school campus in the U.S. (see attached video with author Dave Cullen discussing Columbine and the profiles of killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold).

The first victim was Rachel Scott, 17, who was walking toward the entrance to the kill when she was hit with bullets to the head and torso. 

Darrell Scott, father of first Columbine victim

Rachel's father, Darrell Scott, 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!

In my last post, I asked, 'Where are the prophets for this generation?" On this day, May 27, 1999, Darrell Scott, was a prophet, a voice crying out in the wilderness. Here is a portion of his powerful and penetrating address to the Congressional subcommittee: 

"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.

"Much of the blame lies here in this room..."  

President Clinton used the Columbine massacre
to push for Gun-control legislation.

"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. 

Politicians use the NRA as a scapegoat 

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. 

Dylan Klebold & Eric Harris

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!"

In my concluding post on Saturday, I'll offer up my own prayer to the Lord regarding our moral meltdown, with an adapted prayer taken from the book of Daniel.