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 heart. 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 acknowledgement 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 conscience and denies your God-given right to communicate with Him.
To those of you who point
your finger at the NRA, I give to you a 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.
This article reprinted from The Firing Line, October 1999 with the permission of California Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc.
