"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good and evil in the hearts
    of men and of women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds ofviolence.

    The death of my wonderful daughter Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that
    heroic teacher and the other 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
    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.
    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 that blame lies here in this room. Much of that blame lies behind
    the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves..
    I wrote a poem just four nights ago that express my feelings best.
    This was written way before I knew l 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.
    Add 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 makeup, 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 historic 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 continue 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 an 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 invain.
    Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation
    that violates your conscience and denies your God-given right to communicate
    with Him.

    To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you sincere
    challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before you cast the first stone!
    My daughter's death will not be in vain. The young people of this country
    will not allow that to happen."