Original subtitles

♪ WE NEVER THOUGHT OF FINDING ♪

♪ THE PLACE WHERE WE BELONG ♪

♪ DON'T HAVE TO STAND ALONE ♪

♪ WE'LL NEVER LET YOU FALL ♪

♪ DON'T NEED PERMISSION ♪

♪ TO DECIDE WHAT YOU BELIEVE ♪

♪ WHOO! ♪

♪ I SAID JUMP! ♪

♪ DOWN ON JUMP STREET ♪

♪ I SAID JUMP! ♪

♪ DOWN ON JUMP STREET ♪

♪ YOUR FRIENDS WILL BE THERE ♪

♪ WHEN YOUR BACK IS TO THE WALL ♪

♪ YOU'LL FIND YOU NEED US ♪

♪ 'CAUSE THERE'S NO ONE ELSE TO CALL ♪

♪ WHEN IT LOOKS HOPELESS ♪

♪ A DECISION'S WHAT YOU NEED ♪

♪ YOU BETTER BE READY TO ♪

♪ BE READY TO ♪

♪ JUMP! ♪

♪ 21 JUMP STREET! ♪

IF SOMEBODY BARBECUED 200 BIOLOGY BOOKS IN MY SCHOOL

THEY'D HAVE BEEN VOTED CLASS PRESIDENT.

YOU FIND SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT BOOKS BEING BURNED, HANSON?

NO, BUT IT AIN'T LIKE SOMEBODY O.D.'d.

SOMEBODY DOESN'T ALWAYS HAVE TO O.D., HANSON.

I DIDN'T SAY THEY DID.

FINE.

FINE.

YOU GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE FILE?

YES.

LARCHMONT HIGH.

ON THE EDGE OF THE COUNTY.

NO DRUG PROBLEMS.

GIRLS STILL WEAR SKIRTS.

THEIR FAVORITE MOVIE WAS FOOTLOOSE.

AND 30% FUNDAMENTALIST.

SO WHAT'S THE BIG STINK?

THERE'S A SCIENCE TEACHER OVER THERE

WHO WANTS TO TEACH CREATIONISM.

HE MIGHT BE STIRRING THINGS UP.

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THE BIBLE, HANSON?

I WENT TO SUNDAY SCHOOL TILL I WAS 14.

GOOD. STUDY UP.

YOU'LL GO IN AS A THUMPER.

GET NEXT TO WHOEVER IS BEHIND THE BOOK BURNING.

SURE.

5,992 YEARS.

ACCORDING TO GENESIS

THAT'S HOW LONG AGO GOD CREATED THE EARTH.

A FEW DAYS LATER, HE CREATED PROPERTY TAXES.

WHAT ABOUT THE ROCK FORMATIONS

THEY FOUND IN GREENLAND?

I'VE READ THEY'RE ALMOST FOUR BILLION YEARS OLD.

IT'S SCIENCE FICTION, RANDY.

THEY'VE ALSO FOUND SOME HUMAN FOSSILS

THAT GO BACK TWO MILLION YEARS.

HOMO HABILIS.

MAYBE YOU'RE THE HOMO.

JOSH.

MAYBE THE BIBLE'S GOT TYPOS.

READ IT AND FIND OUT.

YEAH.

I'M JUST ASKING A QUESTION.

AND IT'S A GOOD ONE.

WE HAVE HERE TWO THEOREMS DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED--

THE BIBLE AND DARWIN'S THEORY OF EVOLUTION.

IF ONE STANDS, THE OTHER FALLS.

PRINCIPAL GARNER.

MISS WALLACE.

WELCOME.

CARRY ON, JIM.

SO WHAT ABOUT THOSE ROCKS?

RANDY, ASK YOURSELF THIS.

HOW CAN ANYONE KNOW, WITH CERTAINTY

THAT ANY ROCK IS FOUR BILLION YEARS OLD?

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

GEOLOGISTS MEASURE THE RATE OF RADIOACTIVE DECAY

IN A ROCK'S ISOTOPIC STRUCTURE.

YOU THINK I'M MAKING THIS UP?

GEOLOGISTS MAKE UP THE ACTUAL AGES OF THE ROCKS

BECAUSE THEY'RE ALL BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION

OF EVOLUTION.

ON THE CONTRARY.

RADIOACTIVE HALF-LIFE MEASUREMENT IS ONLY ONE METHOD

USED TO TEST THE EARTH'S AGE AND HISTORY.

SCIENTISTS CAN CHECK IT

AGAINST STRATIFIED EARTH LAYERS

OR THE HYDROGEN-HELIUM RATIO OF THE SUN.

WHAT YOU STILL HAVE ARE THEORIES SUPPORTING OTHER THEORIES.

MR. CRAWFORD.

EVOLUTIONARY THEORY HAS WITHSTOOD A HUNDRED YEARS

OF CLOSE SCRUTINY BY SCIENTISTS AROUND THE WORLD.

IT'S AS MUCH A FACT OF LIFE

AS GRAVITY.

LOOK AT THESE CHILDREN.

YOU DENY THEM THE JOY OF KNOWING

THAT THEY WERE CREATED BY ALMIGHTY GOD...

I CAN'T ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE.

...CREATED ON THE SIXTH DAY, IN HIS IMAGE

MALE AND FEMALE, AND GOD BLESSED THEM.

MR. CRAWFORD, THAT'S ENOUGH.

AND GOD SAW EVERYTHING

HE HAD MADE, AND, BEHOLD, IT WAS GOOD.

JIM!

ANYONE WHO BELIEVES IN EVOLUTION DOESN'T NEED A TEACHER.

THEY NEED A BIBLE.

THAT WILL BE ALL FOR TODAY.

MR. CRAWFORD, THANK YOU.

MISS WALLACE.

WHERE ARE YOU TAKING HIM?

BACK TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

HEY.

COME ON.

LET GO.

LET HIM GO.

JIM, YOU WANT TO TEACH CREATION, PLEASE TAKE A JOB AT A PAROCHIAL SCHOOL.

IT'S THE STUDENTS HERE WHO NEED THE ELIGHTMENT.

THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

I'VE GOT TO TELL YA, YOU'RE GOING TO PUSH YOURSELF OUT THE DOOR.

THE SCHOOL BOARD BEEN ALL OVER ME AFTER THE BIOLOGY BOOKS.

I WAS AS APPALLED BY THE ACT AS YOU WERE.

I KNOW, BUT I DIDN'T MAKE A POINT OF SAYING THE TEXT WAS A THREAT TO MANKIND.

DON'T TRIVIALIZE MY OPINONS. I SAID IT WAS FACTUALLY MISLEADING.

AND YOU KNEW THE EFFECT THAT WOULD HAVE.

I DO NOT CONDONE THE BURNING OF BOOKS.

BUT YOU MAY WELL HAVE INSIPRED IT.

TEACHING CREATION IS AGAINST THE LAW.

I DON'T HAVE TO AGREE, BUT I HAVE TO UPHOLD IT.

WHAT CAN I DO?

HOW CAN I TEACH WHAT I DON'T BELIEVE?

THE SAME WAY THAT I CAN GO AGAINST MY HEART

AND ASK YOU TO.

YOU NEED TO FIND A WAY.

DON'T MAKE ME SUSPEND YOU.

THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH MY STUDENTS

IS SOMETHING I HOLD VERY DEAR.

IT'S WHY I TEACH.

HI.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

YOU'RE NEW HERE, AREN'T YOU?

YEAH.

I SAW YOU STAND UP TO THE PRINCIPAL IN BIOLOGY CLASS.

THAT WAS PRETTY BRAVE.

I DON'T NEED NOBODY SHOVING MONKEY SCIENCE DOWN MY THROAT.

"WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME

THERE AM I IN THE MIDST OF THEM."

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

CAMERON CRAWFORD.

TOM HALSTROM.

CRAWFORD.

YOU RELATED TO...

HE'S MY FATHER.

I THOUGHT IT WAS REAL COOL THE WAY YOUR FATHER

STOOD UP TO MR. GARNER TODAY.

HE'S SPEAKING AT THE CHURCH MEETING TONIGHT.

ARE YOU GOING TO GO?

MY FATHER WOULD DRAG ME THERE EVEN IF I DIDN'T WANT TO.

HOW ABOUT YOU, TOM?

OH, YES.

WOULDN'T MISS IT.

MIRACLES DON'T COME VERY OFTEN.

MOST OF US NEVER WITNESS ONE.

WE ACCEPT THE TRUTH OF GOD'S MIRACLES

NOT WITH OUR EYES BUT WITH THE FAITH IN OUR HEARTS.

BUT OUR TOWN IS DIFFERENT.

GOD HAS LET US SEE THE MIRACLE OF HIS KINDNESS.

A LOT OF YOU HAVE COME FROM DIFFERENT CHURCHES

TO REJOICE IN OUR MIRACLE.

I'LL ASK BROTHER JAMES AND HIS SON CAMERON

TO STEP UP.

EVERY DAY, EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD AMONG US

MUST MAKE COMPROMISES.

SOME OF THEM ARE REASONABLE.

THEY HELP US TO GET ALONG WITH OUR FELLOW MAN.

SOME ARE NOT SO REASONABLE.

BUT WE SAY TO OURSELVES

IT KEEPS THE PEACE.

SO BE IT.

AND SOMETIMES, TO KEEP THE PEACE

WE COMPROMISE THE WORD OF GOD.

NEVER, BROTHER.

SAD BUT TRUE, BROTHER.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE COMPROMISE GOD'S TRUTH?

HELL, BROTHER.

DON'T SPEAK FOR GOD, BROTHER.

HE BENDS OVER BACKWARDS TO KEEP US AWAY FROM THOSE FIRES.

IT WAS MY DOING.

I WAS IN MY PERSONAL HELL BECAUSE I COMPROMISED HISWORD.

AND GOD GAVE ME

A MIRACLE TO OPEN MY EYES.

OVER THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

MY SON, CAMERON

WAS SKATING ON RENNER'S POND WHEN THE ICE BROKE OPEN

AND SWALLOWED HIM UP.

45 MINUTES, MY BOY WAS TRAPPED BENEATH THE ICE.

BEFORE THEY PULLED HIM OUT, DEADER

THAN THE BLOOD BELOW MY FEET.

I HAVE HERE

THIS SIGNED MEDICAL REPORT THAT SHOWS HIM D.O.A.--

DEAD ON ARRIVAL--

AT COUNTY HOSPITAL.

I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU

THAT I PRAYED TO THE LORD TO SAVE MY SON.

BUT I KNEW YOU COULDN'T BRING BACK THE DEAD.

YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING, BROTHER.

I CERTAINLY DON'T.

BECAUSE FOR A MOMENT I FORGOT ABOUT A MIRACLE LIKE THIS

THAT HAPPENED ON CALVARY.

AND JUST LIKE THE RESURRECTION

THE LORD SHOWED TO ME ONLY HE HAS THE POWER TO CREATE LIFE.

AND AT THAT MOMENT

MY LITTLE BOY OPENED HIS EYES AND CAME BACK TO ME.

BECAUSE ONLY GOD CAN CREATE LIFE.

( amens and applause )

SO I HAVE PLEDGED TO CORRECT THIS ABOMINATION OF GOD'S TRUTH

CALLED EVOLUTION...

AND TEACH THE TRUE STORY OF CREATION TO MY STUDENTS.

( amens and applause )

Crawford: WHERE YOU FROM, TOM?

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.

NICE PART OF THE COUNTRY.

YES, IT IS.

YOU BELONG TO ANY CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS THERE?

TUESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY AND THE CHURCH SPORTS LEAGUE.

JOIN OUR CHURCH LEAGUE.

SOUNDS GOOD.

LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING.

IN THAT BIBLE STUDY GROUP

WHAT TRANSLATION OF THE SCRIPTURES DID YOU READ?

KING JAMES.

GOOD.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION, MR. CRAWFORD?

PLEASE.

WHY WON'T THEY TEACH US THE BIBLE IN SCHOOL?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH FEAR.

MAN KNOWS HIS HEART CAN PLAY TRICKS ON HIM.

SO HE'S LEARNED NOT TO TRUST HIS FEELINGS.

HE NEEDS FACTS THAT CAN BE PROVEN

WITHOUT THE DANGER OF A FAULTY HEART.

NOT EVERYONE KNOWS

BELIEVING IN THE LORD REQUIRES FAITH.

WE WITNESS GOD'S MIRACLES

YET TALK OURSELVES OUT OF BELIEVING.

PEOPLE TURN FROM THE BIBLE

BECAUSE GOD'S WORDS CAN ONLY BE PROVEN IN THE HEART.

BUT EVOLUTION, SEE...

THEY BELIEVE THAT CAN BE PROVEN IN THE MIND.

PERSONALLY, I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN PROVEN

WITH ANOTHER PART OF THE ANATOMY.

YOUR FATHER'S A GOOD MAN.

HE'S A GREAT MAN.

HE'S GOT A TOUGH FIGHT ON HIS HANDS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE CHURCH IN SCHOOL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DO.

I'D LIKE TO HAVE BEEN WITH THOSE GUYS

WHO BURNED THE MONKEY BOOKS.

BURNING BOOKS IS WRONG.

IT KEEPS THE DEVIL OUT OF SCHOOL.

JUST ASK YOUR DAD.

HE SAID THOSE VANDALS SHOULD BE THROWN IN JAIL.

TAKE A LOOK.

IS THAT CINDY?

Cameron: YEAH.

I USED TO WALK BY HERE ALL THE TIME.

MAN, SHE'S GOOD-LOOKING.

SHE WAS GIVING YOU THE BIG EYEBALL.

ME? NO, SHE LIKED YOU.

OH, NO, NO, NO.

IT WAS YOU.

Cameron: I NEVER EVEN TALKED TO HER BEFORE TODAY.

I USED TO WALK BY HERE EVERY NIGHT

JUST TO WATCH HER.

BEFORE TODAY I DIDN'T THINK SHE KNEW MY NAME.

Hanson: SHE KNOWS IT NOW.

NOW THAT I'M A MIRACLE BOY.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE?

WHEN I WAS UNDER THE ICE

AND EVERYTHING WAS WHOOSHING AND CRAZY ALL AROUND ME

I KEPT THINKING I'M JUST A BABY AND I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING.

THEN THAT ICE WATER STARTED NUMBING ME.

EVERYTHING SLOWED DOWN.

I STARTED THINKING ABOUT THINGS I WANTED TO DO.

THEN I WAS DEAD...

AND NONE OF IT MATTERED.

I COULD SEE THE LIGHT.

AND IT FELT GOOD AND WARM TO BE IN THE LIGHT.

THEN GOD SENT ME BACK.

I DIDN'T WANT TO GO.

BUT IT'S PART OF GOD'S PLAN

SO I ACCEPT IT.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT WAS GOD'S PLAN?

AT FIRST I KEPT ASKING MYSELF

WHY WOULD GOD CHOOSE ME?

I WASN'T HAPPY ABOUT IT.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE SAW THAT GOD BROUGHT ME BACK FROM THE DEAD

THEY STARTED TURNING BACK TO THE LORD.

MY FATHER TOLD ME I COULDN'T SHIRK THE RESPONSIBILITY

OF BEING GOD'S MESSENGER.

WHEN MY FATHER DIED

ALL I KEPT THINKING WAS I WANT TO GET INSIDE HIM.

I WANT TO HELP HIM THROUGH IT.

I WANTED TO KNOW IF HE WAS SCARED

OR IN PAIN.

I WANTED GOD OR SOMEBODY TO TELL ME WHY--

TO MAKE SENSE OF IT FOR ME.

GOD NEVER SPOKE.

GOD CAN SPEAK TO YOU NOW, TOM...

THROUGH ME.

BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DEAD AND GOD SENT ME BACK.

WHEN I ENTERED LIGHT

I WAS GLOWING IN GOD'S LOVE.

THERE WAS NO PAIN.

NO SADNESS.

I KNOW YOUR FATHER FELT THAT, TOO.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT?

Hanson: NOTHING.

NOTHING?

I GOT A SCHOOL FULL OF KIDS

WHO DON'T WANT TO BE TAUGHT EVOLUTION

AND A TEACHER WHO DOESN'T WANT TO TEACH IT.

WE KNEW THAT GOING IN, HANSON.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

YOU KNOW, UH...

KIND OF ON THE PERSONAL SIDE?

YOU CAN ASK.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

ADAM AND EVE AND ALL THAT STUFF?

I BELIEVE IN GOD.

MOST OF THE TIME.

I ALSO BELIEVE HUMAN LIFE EVOLVED

LIKE DARWIN SAID IT DID.

ALL CRAWFORD WANTS IS TO TEACH WHAT HE BELIEVES.

SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE OKAY.

IT'S OUT OF YOUR HANDS, HANSON.

UNLESS YOU WANT TO REPETITION THE SUPREME COURT.

WHAT BROUGHT ALL THIS ON?

I DON'T KNOW... CAMERON, I GUESS.

HE'S THIS, UH... MIRACLE BOY.

MIRACLE BOY?

HE CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD.

ISN'T THAT A MIRACLE?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

COULD BE A MIRACLE.

COULD BE SOME VERY GOOD DOCTORS.

MAYBE IT JUST WASN'T HIS TIME.

BUT HE CAME BACK.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU MET SOMEONE WHO WAS ALREADY DEAD ONCE.

I NOW THIS SOUNDS CRAZY BUT EVER SINCE MY DAD DIED

I'VE BEEN CURSING TO GOD ONE MINTUE AND BEGGING HIM THE NEXT, JUST TO TELL ME HE WAS OKAY.

AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THIS KID COMES BACK FROM THE DEAD AND TELLS ME MY DAD IS OKAY.

AND I KIND OF BELIVE HIM.

MAYBE YOU FOUND RELIGION.

MAYBE.

JUST REMEBER, YOU'RE IN THERE TO FIND AN ARSONIST.

( bell rings )

WELL, UH...

AS SOON AS PRINCIPAL GARNER

AND MISS WALLACE GET SETTLED

WE CAN BEGIN.

MISS WALLACE, I FEEL I OWE YOU AN APOLOGY.

YOU DO?

YES, I REALIZE TEACHING EVOLUTION IS THE LAW

AND I'LL DO IT.

I BROUGHT A VISUAL AID.

CLASS...

I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET YOUR UNCLE HARRY.

( laughter )

THE WAY DARWIN HAD IT FIGURED

MAN'S ORIGINS GO BACK TO THE TREE SHREW

SOME 60 MILLION YEARS AGO.

UNCLE HARRY, AND THEN MAN

DEVELOPED THE UPRIGHT POSITION BY GRASPING

TREE TRUNKS WITH THE FORE AND HIND LIMBS.

EXCUSE ME.

IS THIS NECESSARY, JIM?

YOU'RE NOT ASHAMED OF YOUR HERITAGE

ARE YOU, MR. GARNER?

Garner: WHY DON'T YOU COME WITH ME?

YOU HAD TO DO IT, DIDN'T YOU?

I FEEL I HAVE TO.

MORAL DECAY, DRUGS, ALCOHOL...

THESE TRAGEDIES STEM FROM OUR CHILDREN

GROWING UP WITHOUT FAITH IN GOD OR THEMSELVES.

WHAT'S YOUR SOLUTION?

MAKE IT MANDATORY THAT STUDENTS

BELIEVE IN YOUR GOD?

IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES.

SOMEBODY'S GOT TO SAVE THESE KIDS.

MAKE THINGS RIGHT FOR THEM.

JIM, YOU ARE A GIFTED TEACHER.

TEACH.

I TELL YOU WHAT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DEBATE

IN AN OPEN FORUM ON THE SCIENTIFIC MERITS

OF CREATIONISM AND EVOLUTION

I'D WELCOME IT.

ANY TIME.

THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE.

IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO TEACH RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IF YOU INSIST ON TEACHING CREATIONISM

I'LL REMOVE YOU FROM YOUR TEACHING POST.

THERE'S A P.T.A. MEETING TONIGHT.

I CAN GUARANTEE THAT WON'T BE THEIR ATTITUDE.

IF I RETURN YOU TO YOUR CLASSROOM

ARE YOU GOING TO TEACH EVOLUTION?

I CAN ONLY TEACH WHAT I CAN BELIEVE.

THEN YOU'RE SUSPENDED, JIM.

WELL, WE'LL SEE WHO HAS HIS JOB IN THE END, JACK.

Man: YOU YANKED MR. CRAWFORD OUT OF CLASS.

I WANT TO KNOW WHY THE BEST TEACHER

IN THIS DAMNED SCHOOL

GOT PULLED FROM CLASS AND FIRED.

FOR ILLEGALLY TEACHING THE BIBLE

TO THOSE WHO DON'T WANT IT.

CALM DOWN.

YES...

MR. CRAWFORD WAS REMOVED

BUT HE WASN'T FIRED.

HE'S TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED

PENDING A HEARING WITH THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

HOW COME IT TOOK THREE MONTHS TO FIX THE HEATER

BUT YOU GOT NEW SCIENCE BOOKS

IN THREE DAYS?

I HAVE TO HAVE EVOLUTION SHOVED DOWN MY SON'S THROAT.

EVOLUTIONARY THEORY CAN CO-EXIST WITH GOD.

WHY ARE YOU AFRAID OF ACCEPTING...?

ACCEPT NOTHING.

I DO NOT WANT MY CHILDREN THINKING THEY ARE APES.

ANYBODY WHO SAYS

GOD DIDN'T CREATE HEAVEN AND EARTH IS CRAZY.

WHY DON'T YOU KEEP HEAVEN

AND LEAVE EARTH FOR US?

BIOLOGICAL ORIGINS PLAY A VERY SMALL PART

IN THE SCIENCE CURRICULUM.

FRANKLY, I PREFER THE CREATION OF GENESIS

SO I TEACH IT TO MY CHILDREN AT HOME.

MR. GARNER?

WOULD YOU MIND IF I SPOKE A FEW WORDS?

OKAY, JIM, BUT PLEASE...

KEEP IT PEACEFUL.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW HIM

THIS IS MR. JAMES CRAWFORD.

HOW ARE YOU THIS EVENING?

WHY DON'T YOU STICK TO SCIENCE?

I PLAN TO.

BUT I HAVE NO INTENTIONS

OF TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN ATHEISM.

WE'VE DISCUSSED THIS ALREADY.

WE DID, BUT EVEN YOU HAVE TO ADMIT GOD'S WILL

HOLDS THE RIGHT OVER SCHOOL POLICY.

IT'S ILLEGAL, MR. CRAWFORD.

YOU'RE BREAKING THE LAW.

WE'LL CHANGE THE LAW.

WITH GOD'S HELP, WE'LL BRING THE ALMIGHTY BACK

INTO THE CLASSROOM.

NOT ON MY TAXES.

THE CHILDREN MUST BE SERVED.

I THINK IT'S ONLY FITTING THAT WE QUIET OUR ANGRY VOICES

AND LET THE WISDOM OF THE CHILD SPEAK.

YEAH, LET HIM SPEAK.

I'D LIKE TO ASK MY SON CAMERON

TO STAND UP

AND SPEAK HIS MIND.

( sprinkling of applause )

I HAD ANOTHER LIFE BEFORE GOD TOOK ME AWAY.

NOW THAT I'M BACK FROM THE DEAD, I'M DIFFERENT.

I'M NOT LIKE THE OTHER KIDS IN SCHOOL.

SO I SHOULDN'T SPEAK FOR THEM.

BUT I HAVE A NEW FRIEND--

SOMEONE WHO JUST MOVED HERE.

I KNOW THE LORD WANTS TO HEAR FROM HIM.

TOM HALSTROM?

TOM?

HI. I'M NEW HERE.

TODAY'S MY FIRST DAY IN MR. CRAWFORD'S CLASS.

I LIKED WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

I NEVER SEEN NO MIRACLE BEFORE, BUT YOU GOT ONE IN THIS TOWN.

( amens )

I SAY IF GOD'S GIVEN US A MESSAGE

WE BETTER HEAR IT.

I DIDN'T COME HERE TO LISTEN TO BROTHER HALSTROM TESTIFY.

I WANT TO KNOW WHO BURNED THE NEW SCIENCE TEXTBOOKS.

I DID.

Man: NO, I DID.

NO, I DID.

I DID.

I DID. I DID.

Woman: I WAS THERE, TOO.

SO WAS I.

IT WAS ME.

I WAS THERE.

SO WAS I.

I DID IT.

( faint noise downstairs )

( glass shattering )

( bell rings )

I'M SORRY I'M LATE.

I HAD SOME...

WHERE IS EVERYONE TODAY?

THERE ARE SOME NOTES ON YOUR DESK.

TAKE YOUR SEAT.

I CAME TO GIVE YOU THIS.

YOU'RE ALL BEING KEPT OUT OF CLASS BY YOUR PARENTS.

IT'S JUST UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER.

GREAT.

SO THIS IS HOW YOU'RE TAUGHT TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS.

YOU JUST IGNORE IT AND PRAY TO GOD IT GOES AWAY.

JOSH, YOU'RE EXCUSED.

LET'S GET INTO HOW ACCURATE ANCIENT FOSSIL RECORDS ARE.

HI.

HI.

YOU'RE PROTESTING BIOLOGY CLASS, TOO?

WELL, MY DAD IS.

ME AND SHANNON THOUGHT MAYBE YOU AND TOM

MIGHT WANT TO COME OVER TO MY HOUSE TONIGHT

AND WE COULD STUDY THE BIBLE TOGETHER.

YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THAT?

SURE.

I WANT YOU TO TEACH ME.

TONIGHT.

YEAH, SURE.

I'LL FIND TOM AND SEE IF HE CAN GO.

IT WILL BE GREAT.

Miss Wallace: HOW COME YOU DON'T HAVE A NOTE?

I'M JUST HERE TO LEARN.

NOBODY SAYS I GOT TO BELIEVE IT, RIGHT?

THANK YOU.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD?

TOM, SCIENTISTS CAN BELIEVE IN GOD

EVERY BIT AS PASSIONATELY AS YOU

OR MR. CRAWFORD, OR THE POPE.

THE TWO ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE.

WHY DON'T YOU TELL PEOPLE THAT?

BECAUSE I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO STATE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

TO KEEP MONKEYS OUT OF MY HOUSE.

YOU GOT A POINT.

Penhall: HALLELUJAH, BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

WHAT IF I COULD PROVE IT TO YOU

THAT BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT...

THAT GOD REALLY EXISTED?

HOW CAN YOU PROVE IT?

I CAN PROVE IT.

HE WILL COME BY MY HOUSE? CALL ME?

I CAN PROVE IT.

PROVE IT.

OKAY. WHEN I WAS LITTLE

I WAS ALONE IN THE BATHROOM.

I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THIS.

THERE'S A MIRROR IN FRONT OF ME AND BEHIND ME.

I'M LOOKING AT THE REFLECTION

OF THE REFLECTION OF THE REFLECTION.

I COUNTED

TO SEE HOW MANY THERE ARE.

WHEN I GET TO, LIKE, THE 33rd REFLECTION

WAY IN THE BACK

I SEE THIS LITTLE GUY

AND HE'S WAVING BACK AT ME.

IT'S THE TRUTH.

THANK YOU, DOUG.

YOU'VE HELPED ME TREMENDOUSLY.

HANSON!

I GOT ANOTHER STORY.

GO AWAY.

MORE TRUTHS DOUG?

HEY, I'M ON A MISSION FROM GOD.

YOU CALL THIS A REPORT?

B&E, ARSON.

DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY.

VANDALISM.

HARASSMENT.

NO SUSPECTS.

IT WAS A WEIRD SITUATION.

IT LOOKS CLEAR TO ME.

YOU WANT ME TO LIE?

I WANT YOU TO MAKE AN ARREST.

WE MAY NEED A LOT OF BACKUP.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN?

THE TOWN CONFESSED.

THE TOWN?

YES.

THEY ALL STOOD UP

AND ANY OF THEM COULD HAVE DONE IT.

ARE YOU TRYING TO SOLVE THIS CASE, HANSON?

YES.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

SURE.

MOST OF THIS COMMUNITY BELIEVES IN CREATION.

SHOULDN'T THEY DECIDE

WHAT THEY WANT TO TEACH?

EVEN THE PRESIDENT WANTS PRAYER BACK IN SCHOOL.

THEY WANT THE LAWS CHANGED, FINE

BUT THEY WON'T TO DO IT BY BURNING BOOKS

NOR WITH MOB FANATICISM.

YOU GOT A POINT.

I KNOW YOU'RE HAVING A HARD TIME, HANSON.

KEEP AT IT.

( doorbell )

I'M NOT WALKING INTO AN AMBUSH, AM I?

COME ON.

THIS IS MY FAULT.

I APOLOGIZE.

LET ME TALK STRAIGHT THROUGH WITHOUT STOPPING.

I KNOW-- GET OFF THE SOAP BOX...

STRAIGHT THROUGH.

HALF YOUR STUDENTS WERE OUT TODAY.

BESIDES WHAT'S HAPPENED TO MY HOME...

I'LL FIND OUT WHO...

STRAIGHT THROUGH, JIM.

FIGHTS ARE BREAKING OUT.

PARENTS ARE THREATENING EACH OTHER.

NO ONE IS LEARNING.

ALL BECAUSE OF A TWO-WEEK SECTION OF BIOLOGY.

NO.

NO, THIS GOES FAR BEYOND ONE SINGLE ISSUE.

THE TOWN'S BEHIND ME.

I CAME FROM A MEETING.

WE'LL BOYCOTT STORES CARRYING PORNOGRAPHY.

LET'S ADD CENSORSHIP TO THE LIST.

WE'LL VOTE OUT BOARD MEMBERS WHO OPPOSE US.

WILL OF THE PEOPLE?

WE OWE THE CHILDREN THAT MUCH

AND I OWE GOD AT LEAST THIS MUCH.

JIM...

WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

I WAS CHEATING MY FAMILY AND MYSELF AND GOD.

GOD TOOK MY SON FROM ME

TO GET ME ON THE PATH.

YOU CAN'T KNOW WHAT THAT WAS LIKE.

( knocking )

COME ON IN.

HI, GUYS.

YOU WANT SOME DRINKS?

SOME POTATO CHIPS?

I'LL HAVE SOME SODA.

YOU SURE YOU DON'T WANT SOMETHING STRONGER, CAMERON?

HOW ABOUT YOU, TOM?

I'LL HAVE THE SAME, THANKS.

WHERE ARE YOUR PARENTS?

THEY'RE AT THE MOVIES.

THEY'LL BE BACK.

I TOLD THEM YOU WERE COMING FOR BIBLE STUDY.

I BROUGHT MY BIBLE.

GOOD, LET ME SEE IT.

MY FATHER GAVE ME A DIFFERENT BIBLE.

I'D LIKE YOU TO SEE IT.

COME ON UPSTAIRS.

IT'S BY MY BED.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

I THOUGHT IT WAS COOL WHEN YOU SPOKE

IN FRONT OF THOSE PEOPLE THE OTHER NIGHT.

I WAS VERY NERVOUS.

YOU KNOW WHAT--

CINDY'S SISTER IS AWAY AT COLLEGE.

YOU WANT TO SEE HER ROOM?

IT'S REAL PRIVATE.

I'D LIKE TO, BUT I'M IN TRAINING FOR A FIGHT.

WHO ARE YOU FIGHTING?

SATAN.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BIBLE STORY?

DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN.

I LIKE SAMSON AND DELILAH.

THERE ARE SO MANY LOVE STORIES IN THE BIBLE.

IT'S TO WARD US AWAY

FROM TEMPTATION.

HAVEN'T YOU EVER BEEN TEMPTED?

I'VE SEEN YOU WALK BY MY WINDOW 20 TIMES IN ONE NIGHT

WATCHING ME GET READY FOR BED.

I DID NOT.

IT'S OKAY.

I LIKE IT.

YOU DO?

NOT WITH EVERYBODY.

BUT YOU'RE SPECIAL.

YOU CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD.

THAT KIND OF MAKES YOU LIKE JESUS.

IT WOULDN'T BE WRONG FOR YOU TO TOUCH ME, WOULD IT?

WHAT'S WRONG?

YOU HAVEN'T SAID A WORD.

MY HAND'S DIRTY.

WHAT? YOUR HAND'S CLEAN AS A WHISTLE.

I NEVER TOUCHED A GIRL BEFORE.

HOW CAN I BE A VESSEL OF THE LORD

WHEN I'M UNCLEAN?

CAMERON, IT'S OKAY.

I'VE OFFENDED GOD.

HE BROUGHT ME BACK TO TEACH THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

AND I'VE DESCENDED INTO HELL.

YOU'RE ONLY HUMAN.

YOU DIDN'T DO WRONG.

I'VE BETRAYED THE LORD.

"A WHIP FOR THE HORSE

A BRIDLE FOR THE ASS, AND A ROD FOR THE FOOL'S BACK!"

"BE YE KIND ONE TO ANOTHER

TENDER-HEARTED

FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER

EVEN AS GOD HATH FORGIVEN YOU."

THE WATER'S FREEZING.

"AND WHOSOEVER TOUCHETH HER BED

"SHALL WASH HIS CLOTHES

"AND BATHE HIMSELF IN WATER

AND BE UNCLEAN UNTIL THE EVEN."

IT WILL BE TOUGH

BUT WE'VE MADE A GOOD START.

WE'LL DO IT.

IN TWO HOURS, THE WHOLE TOWN WILL BE THERE.

COME IN.

HI, MR. CRAWFORD.

CAMERON'S UPSTAIRS.

I CAME TO SEE YOU.

OKAY.

SHOULD WE GO INTO THE STUDY?

SURE.

THIS THING HAS GONE TOO FAR.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

EVERYBODY'S USING CAMERON AS A MARCHING SONG.

IT'S NOT FAIR.

MAYBE YOU'RE TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND.

WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IS GOOD.

CAMERON HAS INSPIRED PEOPLE

TO FIGHT FOR THE TRUTH.

WHAT ABOUT CAMERON'S TRUTH?

I'M NOT FOLLOWING YOU.

HE'S 16.

HE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT GIRLS AND PLAYING BASEBALL--

NOT LEADING SOME CRUSADE.

THIS MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR A BOY YOUR AGE

BUT GOD HAS A BIGGER PLAN FOR MY SON.

DOES HE, OR DO YOU?

THAT'S NOT A VERY FAIR THING TO SAY TO ME.

YOU'RE USING HIM.

MAYBE WHEN YOU'RE A LITTLE OLDER...

I'M 23 YEARS OLD.

I SEE.

EXACTLY WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS HERE, OFFICER... HANSON?

I'M HERE AS CAMERON'S FRIEND.

LAST NIGHT HE WAS BAPTIZING HIMSELF

BECAUSE HE FELT UNCLEAN FOR TOUCHING A GIRL.

HE'S NOT UNCLEAN, HE'S NORMAL!

DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO HIM?

I THINK YOU BETTER LEAVE.

I'D LIKE TO SEE CAMERON.

I WISH YOU WOULDN'T.

HE'S STILL MY FRIEND.

OH, MY GOD!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

YOU CRAZY?

YOU CANNOT KNOW THE MYSTERIES OF GOD.

I HAVE SEEN THEM.

THIS HAS TO STOP!

I HAVE TO PURIFY MYSELF FOR THE RAPTURE.

NO! THEY'RE USING YOU.

DON'T DO THIS.

IT'S GOD'S WILL.

THAT'S WHY HE MADE THE MIRACLE.

IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE.

IT NEVER HAPPENED!

YES, IT HAS!

ENJOY BEING ALIVE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A SAINT.

I WANT YOU TO LEAVE.

LOOK AT HIS HAND.

I SAID GET OUT!

WE'VE BEEN TOLD TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD IS ILLEGAL.

Woman: IT IS AGAINST THE LAW.

NOT GOD'S LAW.

Crawford: SHE'S RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT TO CHANGE THE LAW.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WANTS IT CHANGED.

RIGHTEOUS AMERICANS STAND BEHIND HIM.

WE CAN REPETITION THE SUPREME COURT

AND JOIN THE FIGHT TO REVOKE THIS HERESY.

IT WILL TAKE YEARS.

BY THEN MY CHILDREN WILL THINK THEY'RE MONKEYS.

WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING NOW.

OUR CHILDREN NEED JESUS, TOO.

WE CAN'T TURN OUR BACKS ON OUR OWN CHILDREN

WHILE WAITING TO REVOKE AN IMMORAL AND UNJUST LAW.

THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED BY MEN

WILLING TO FACE THAT INJUSTICE

AT PERSONAL PERIL.

I BELIEVE GOD

SENT US THIS MIRACLE

TO GIVE US COURAGE TO FIGHT FOR THE BIBLE.

WE MUST FIGHT!

OUR CHILDREN CAN GO INTO THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

AND CHECK OUT THIS BOOK

WHICH TEACHES THEM TO LIE, CHEAT

BACK TALK AND CURSE

BUT YOU WON'T FIND ONE COPY OF THE BIBLE IN THAT LIBRARY.

WE NEED THE BIBLE.

WE SHOULD BURN THE REST OF THOSE BLASPHEMOUS BOOKS.

YEAH!

OVER MY DEAD BODY.

THAT CAN BE ARRANGED.

STOP IT!

THAT'S ENOUGH.

YOU PEOPLE CAN BE ARRESTED FOR THIS.

LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S RIGHT OR WRONG

TO TEACH RELIGION IN SCHOOLS

BUT RIGHT NOW YOU CAN'T BECAUSE IT'S AGAINST THE LAW.

SO IS BURNING BOOKS.

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

I'M A POLICE OFFICER.

I'VE BEEN UNDERCOVER

TO STOP THE BURNING OF BOOKS.

THIS STOPS NOW!

WE GOT A MIRACLE THAT SAYS DIFFERENT, JUDAS GOAT!

THERE WAS NO MIRACLE.

YOU'RE TALKING BLASPHEMY, OFFICER.

THE LORD SENT US A MIRACLE

TO PROVE HE'S THE CREATOR OF LIFE.

THE LORD TOLD YOU THAT?

THE PROOF IS BEFORE US.

THE MIRACLE WAS YOUR SIGN FROM GOD?

ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT MADE IT A MIRACLE?

HE RAISED MY SON FROM THE DEAD.

AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN?

WHEN'S THE LAST TIME GOD RAISED THE DEAD?

SO GOD DOESN'T THROW THESE MIRACLES AROUND?

IT TENDS TO CHEAPEN THEM.

A ONE-IN-A-MILLION CHANCE?

ONE IN A BILLION!

HATE TO DISAPPOINT YOU

BUT GOD'S DONE IT THREE TIMES THIS WINTER.

LIAR!

GOT THE PROOF RIGHT HERE.

ONE SCHOOLBOY IN TEXAS

PULLED FROM A FROZEN RIVER--

DEAD FOR 25 MINUTES.

ANOTHER BABY IN VIRGINIA

PULLED DEAD FROM A SWIMMING POOL.

BOTH ARE ALIVE TODAY.

THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

IT'S A MIRACLE

BUT A MIRACLE OF SCIENCE.

JIM, YOU'RE A SCIENTIST.

YOU KNOW THIS.

THESE CHILDREN EXPERIENCED HYPOTHERMIA.

THEIR ORGANS WERE PARTIALLY FROZEN.

THE DOCTORS REVIVED THEM.

NO!

DON'T BELIEVE ME, JUST READ!

THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF MIRACLES FOR ALL OF US.

THE LORD HAS SENT US A MIRACLE.

MY SON IS THE PROOF.

Cameron: I AM THE MIRACLE AND THE LIGHT.

Woman: DON'T JUMP.

Cameron: I CAME BACK ONCE BEFORE

AND CAN DO IT AGAIN.

CAMERON!

I HAVE THE MESSAGE.

DON'T TURN YOUR BACKS.

TELL HIM HE'S NOT A MIRACLE.

Hanson: TELL HIM.

CAMERON, COME DOWN.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PROVE ANYTHING.

COME DOWN.

DON'T.

I'M NOT AFRAID.

Hanson: TELL HIM, CRAWFORD.

I'M INNOCENT BEFORE THEE, O KING.

TELL HIM HE HAS A RIGHT TO BE A PERSON

NOT YOUR HOLY SYMBOL.

IT'S OKAY TO BE HIMSELF.

PLEASE, SON.

GOD CHOSE ME TO CARRY THE WORD.

DON'T LET HIM FALL.

HE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MIRACLE.

CAMERON, LISTEN--

I WAS WRONG.

GOD PICKED ME.

I WAS WRONG.

DON'T SAY THAT.

CAMERON, PLEASE, COME DOWN.

I NEED YOU TO BE MY SON.

CAMERON, PLEASE.

THIS IS THE HISTORY OF THE HEAVENS AND EARTH

WHEN THEY WERE CREATED

IN THE DAY THE LORD GOD MADE THE EARTH

AND THE HEAVENS

BEFORE ANY PLANT OF THE FIELD WAS IN THE GROUND

AND BEFORE ANY HERB OF THE FIELD HAD GROWN.

FOR THE LORD GOD HAD NOT CAUSED IT TO RAIN ON THE EARTH

AND THERE WAS NO MAN TO TILL THE GROUND.

BUT A MIST WENT UP FROM THE EARTH

AND WATERED THE WHOLE FACE OF THE GROUND.

AND THE LORD GOD FORMED MAN OF THE DUST OF THE GROUND

AND BREATHED INTO HIS NOSTRILS THE BREATH OF LIFE

AND MAN BECAME A LIVING BEING.