Original subtitles

[theme music]

Darryl, Thomas, come on, it's time to go inside.

Let's go.

Oh, Tobias?

Mom, can Andrew come over after school?

Well, I think you should ask Andrew's father.

OK, can he, Reverend?

I'm sure that'll be fine, but I will have to ask his mother.

I'll let you know at lunchtime.

Thanks.

Morning, Reverend, Deborah.

Morning, Alice.

Morning, Bai.

How are you feeling, Alice?

Don't ask.

How's little Bai getting along?

Well, slowly, but surely.

He isn't talking yet, but he's joining in a little more.

Any luck finding a new teacher?

No, not yet, but I have another interview a little

later this morning.

I think you should look for two new teachers.

Alice looks ready any minute.

She does seem very pregnant.

Yeah, very.

Well, when the other classes heard what

the seniors were going to do, you know,

they didn't want to be outdone.

So you know what they did?

They did the same thing.

They did the same thing.

What, have you heard this already?

No, just a lucky guess.

Well, the juniors, the sophomores, and the freshmen,

they got together, they staked out their area of the beach,

and they spent the whole weekend,

they cleaned the whole place up.

All on their own?

Yeah, they weren't being paid.

Nobody told them to do it, they just

wanted everybody to know how they

felt about their community.

You know how I've complained about the kids of today.

What, you, complain?

Come on, make fun.

I'm just telling you that the kids of today--

[loud music] - Have got a little more--

What?

I said the kids of today have got a--

can you believe that guy?

I've got blood running out of my ears.

Hey, buddy, how about turning down the noise?

It ain't loud, fuzzball.

It ain't loud?

It's shaking your truck.

It ain't shaking my truck.

This is shaking my truck.

What were you saying about the kids of today?

Never mind what I said.

Impressive.

Very impressive credentials, both of you.

Thank you, Reverend.

You know, it's very rare to get

male teachers in a preschool.

I think it's a good idea for the children.

Does that mean we're employed?

You are indeed, and, Jonathan, having you bring Mark along

was a real godsend.

I couldn't have put it better myself.

Let me call our head teacher, Deborah Stone.

She'll show you around.

Yeah, we think the school is very special.

We're very proud of what we do here.

Parents from all over the city bring their kids here.

And from what the Reverend told me about you two,

I have a feeling you're going to fit in pretty well.

We hope so.

Oh, believe me, you'll love this place.

We feel that the most important thing

in human cultural behavior is the way

we bring our children up.

Both for the children and for us.

My daughter, the artist.

This is a picture of our car.

Not a bad looking car.

Actually, it's a pretty good likeness.

You've got a pretty good ethnic mix here, don't you?

Well, we don't have every race, creed, or color

covered but just about.

That's one of the most beautiful things about this school

is watching them interact, learn from each other.

It's a shame the whole world can't get along

like the children in this room.

And bless this food to our use and ourselves

to our loving and faithful service.

Amen.

Amen.

Oh, did I tell you Ronald Kester called me today.

No.

What did he want?

Well, he just wanted to stop by tomorrow and see me.

What about?

He did say.

You know, I bet it has something

to do with his recent election to the church council.

Who's Ronald?

Ronald Kester, well, he was a classmate

of mine at the seminary.

He's another Reverend?

Hm-hmm.

You know, I certainly think it's strange

hearing from Kester after--

how long has it been, eight years?

More like nine.

But we were never all that close.

Well, thank goodness for that.

He was always a little too oily for my taste.

I wouldn't say that, Peg.

Well, you have to admit that he was always

more interested in becoming a power in the church

than he was in being a minister.

And he's accomplished that, so regardless

of your feelings about him, remember, he's my boss.

He's your boss?

Hm-hmm.

I thought God was?

Next next, one at a time.

No pushing.

No pushing.

I'll put you up there.

Go on, go on, go on.

Next.

Next.

Next.

All right, go.

All right, what are you doing up here?

You mustn't be up here. Go on.

Go on.

Go on.

You're next.

Put your head down under there.

Hurry. Hurry.

Excuse me?

Yeah, what can I do for you?

I'm looking for the Reverend Bennett.

Oh, Toby?

I think I saw him over at the office earlier.

Thank you.

Are you one of the parents?

No, I'm one of the teachers.

All right, take it easy.

Here, are you having a good time?

You have a good time.

Bite your nose off.

Here we go.

[knocking]

Come in.

Tobias.

How good to see you after all these years.

Ronald.

How can two old friends like us

allow so much time to go by between visits?

Well, it has been a while.

Yes, but now that I'm on the council, we'll rectify that.

Oh, come on, come on, let's sit down.

Make ourselves comfortable.

Well now, let's get right down to business.

Are your teachers Christian?

I-- I never thought about it.

Most of the are, I guess.

Why?

Most?

Well, not all of them.

I mean, let's see.

I think three of them are Jewish, Mrs. Azhari is Persian.

Persian?

You mean an Iranian?

I believe her parents were originally from Tehran,

yes, she's a Muslim.

Now what is this all about?

The council has voted on some changes, Tobias.

What kind of changes?

We want all our teachers to be Christian.

Well, most of them are.

They belong to the congregation.

As for the others, it's never been a problem.

It is now, Tobias.

I can't see why.

This is a nursery school or a preschool,

whatever you want to call it.

I mean, I don't see--

This is a church school, a Christian church

school that ought to teach Christian ideals.

But our school has always been separated from the church.

Come on, Ronald, you can't expect--

It's not just me.

This decision was made by the entire council,

and as pastor of this church, you're bound by that decision.

Your teachers will be Christian.

Those who are not can either embrace Christianity

or look for another job.

All right?

Wait, wait, wait a minute, you cannot

possibly expect me to ask people to change

their faith for a job?

Then don't, just replace them.

And from now on, religion will be taught in the school.

Sure are quiet when they're painting.

They love it.

Gives them a chance to use their imaginations.

You find the Rev all right?

Yes, thank you.

You said that you're a teacher here.

What's your name?

Mark Gordon.

Mark, a good Christian name.

Mark wrote the second book of the New Testament.

Well, I was named after Mark Twain.

He wrote "Huckleberry Finn."

I'm Jonathan Smith, I'm another one of the teachers.

Ronald Kester, I'm with the National Council of Churches.

The children seem very well behaved.

Oh, yeah, they're a good bunch of kids.

Very nice.

And what's your name, son?

Jason.

Well, Jason, tell us about your painting.

I'm painting a picture of God.

Well, you can't do that, Jason?

Why not?

Because no one knows what God looks like.

When I'm finished, they will.

And who are you painting?

Same as Jason, I'm painting God.

Genesis 127.

So God created man in his own image, and the image of God

created He Him.

I don't think I'm going to get along with that guy.

Jonathan, want a soda?

No, thanks, I'm fine.

Oh, what a day I've had.

I must have broken up 20 fights today.

You know, it always amazes me how children can be so angry

with each other in the morning, and by the end of the day,

they are the best of friends.

They seem to know how unimportant

their differences are.

We can all learn from them.

You all right, Tobias?

Hm? Oh, yes, fine.

Fine.

I was just-- just thinking.

A couple more sips.

I got to go.

I have a house visit today.

A house visit, what's that?

I try and visit the parents of all the new students

in their home environment, helps me get a better handle

on them when they're here.

Sounds like a good idea.

Yeah, it is.

Tell him, he came up with it.

Well, I'm out of here.

Tobias, are you sure you're OK?

Couldn't be better.

If you say so.

See you guys tomorrow.

Take care.

Goodnight.

That's quite a teacher you got there.

Deborah?

She's one in a million.

That must be a great feeling for parents

to know they've got a teacher like Deborah

watching their child.

Hm-hmm.

I'd hate to lose her.

She's not thinking of leaving, is she?

No. No.

No. No.

No, she loves it here.

Well, I'm on my way.

I'll see if Mark got all the paint off of them.

Goodnight, Tobias.

Goodnight, Jonathan.

Are you coming to bed?

Oh, soon.

Oh, honey.

What am I going to do?

I'm not sure there's anything you can do, Tobias.

There has to be.

I mean, the council will ruin everything we've

worked so hard to achieve.

Do you-- do you realize the reputation the school has,

how it's brought people together in the community?

Yes, I do, and I know how you feel

about Deborah and all the others,

but these are the new rules.

But they're wrong.

The rules are wrong, and somehow I've got

to convince them to believe me.

I'm looking.

Look out, Annie, here they come.

Mom, I can do [inaudible]

You have to admit my daughter gets an A for enthusiasm.

That's right.

I wish she could pass some along to Bai over there.

Yeah, he's getting to you, isn't he?

Yeah.

Just can't figure him.

He never talks.

He ever said anything to you?

No.

No.

His mother says he's very shy.

He's quite bright though.

He learns very quickly.

He's good with puzzles.

Then think sometimes he just sits

there quietly all by himself and he doesn't do anything.

I notice the other kids leave him alone during that time.

They must sense something.

You like him, don't you?

I mean, look at him.

How can you resist that?

Excuse me.

Hey, I'll tell you, that daughter of yours

is quite an athlete.

Yeah, well, she doesn't get it from me.

By the way, have you seen Tobias?

I think he had a meeting downtown.

He didn't by any chance tell you what was bothering him,

did he?

What makes you think something's bothering him?

Tobias is probably the world's worst poker player.

Besides, I've known him too long.

And I bet it has something to do with that stuffed shirt that

was around here yesterday gazing down on all of us poor mortals.

You don't mind saying the way you feel, do you?

When it concerns people I care about, yeah, I guess, I do.

Well, will you look at that?

That is the first time I have ever seen Bai laugh.

Maybe he likes playing with older kids.

I thought we had this all settled yesterday?

But if I could only help you see what

good the school accomplishes.

I am aware of what the school does,

but this is a church sponsored school,

and as such, it should teach religion.

And it's your job to see that it's done.

But you're ordering me to turn a good school on its head,

a school that has served a vital community

function for a long, long time.

We are merely telling you to add to the curriculum.

Oh, Toby, Toby, why are you anguishing so over this?

You've been given an order, you're

expected to carry it out.

I'm not sure I can do that in all good conscience.

I would hate to see you throw away what is shaping up

to be a very promising career as a pastor

over something like this.

We will assist you in finding teachers

to replace the ones you lose.

Yes--

This meeting is over, Tobias.

How did it go?

Well, he put it in no uncertain terms,

either I do it or I'm fired.

Then you'll have to do it.

It's not that easy.

Yes, it is.

Peg.

Listen to me, Tobias.

What will happen if you defy the council?

Kester will appoint someone else in my place.

Someone who will do it Kester's way,

and you'll lose this church.

Everything you've worked for all these years.

You built this up from a small, bored group of church goers

to a vigorous, active congregation.

And along the way, gained a great deal of respect

in the religious community.

You can't just throw that away.

I can't throw the school away.

I'll put it up to the congregation.

If enough people complain, the council will have to listen.

If you make this an issue, you know the church

will end up taking sides.

Something like this could wreck the congregation.

I know you don't want that to happen.

The Reverend Kester has said that the order

is to be carried out immediately, so there it is.

I am really very sorry about this.

I tried my best to do something to stop it,

but the council had already decided.

Do they honestly believe that I'm going to give

up my beliefs to save my job?

I didn't even want to bring that up.

I just I felt obligated to do so.

Well, I feel obligated to tell you that it's an insult.

Let's try to talk about this calmly.

Calmly?

I have just been told that if I want to teach at this school

I have to deny the faith that all

the generations of my family have believed

in for all its history.

There is no calm here.

It's an outrage.

You must understand.

No job in the world is worth that.

I do understand.

You do understand, but you're allowing it to happen.

No, I am not letting this happen.

There's just nothing that I can do to stop it.

There must be some way.

Is this legal?

I'm afraid so, [inaudible].

The Supreme Court has held that religious institutions

are allowed to require conforming

values in their teachers.

And to hell with what it does to the children

and to the school, and what it does to everyone here.

We were like a family, and now this family is being destroyed

in the name of religion.

You know, losing my job isn't the difficult part

about all this.

I'm a good teacher, and I'll find another job.

The difficult part is explaining to my daughter

why she can't go to school with the rest of her friends.

I must leave, too.

I'm sorry, Tobias.

I understand.

I have to tell you something.

Teaching here has probably been the most rewarding job

I've ever had, and being a Christian,

this thing doesn't affect me on paper,

but I find this so against the principles I've been taught

as a Christian, love for and toleration of others

and their beliefs, that I cannot in good

conscience obey that edict.

Sorry, Reverend.

Wait, Don.

How about it?

Don't we all feel the same way Don does?

Deborah was right when she said we were all a family,

and family should stick together.

I say we should all walk.

So much for this assignment.

I'm going to miss teaching here.

I was starting to get through to little Bai.

Well, if it makes you feel any better,

you're still going to be teaching.

What are you talking about?

We're not quitting.

Now, wait a minute, I'm not working under Kester's rules.

And whose side are we on anyway?

The children's side and Tobias.

We have to stay.

Believe me, I'm right on this one.

How come nobody's talking?

Eat you dinner, Andrew.

But--

Please?

Your father has a lot on his mind.

Oh.

Can Alice come over tomorrow after school?

Hm?

No, not tomorrow.

Oh, please.

We wanted to make a surprise for her mom for her

for Teacher's Day. - I told you no.

No, that's the end of it.

You finish your dinner, honey, OK?

I know how hard this is for you, but it will all pass.

You'll see, it'll be forgotten in no time.

Not by me.

You've had tough times before.

I know, but I always had the Lord

to talk to to give me strength.

And you still do.

Talk to him.

I can't.

I am so ashamed.

I'm really, really very grateful that you

and Mark chose to stay.

Someone had to be here to take care of the children.

That may not be very hard.

What I mean is, between last night and this morning,

we've had quite a few calls from parents

withdrawing their children.

Well, I guess it's time for Mark to ring the bell.

I know you're disappointed in me,

but I really had no choice but to do it this way.

You're sure of that?

Yes.

I mean, in addition to the school,

I've got a congregation that's my responsibility,

also a duty to them.

Why doesn't he ring the bell?

So you're going to lay this off on the congregation?

I'm not sure I understand.

What are you going to tell the children?

The children?

Yeah, the children.

You're going to have to explain to them why

some of their friends can't come to their school anymore,

a school that you built up to teach them just the opposite.

I don't envy you that task, Reverend.

Tobias, we've got a problem.

What's the matter?

The bell won't ring.

You when it's broken.

No, no, no, it's not broken.

Everything works fine.

You just can't get a sound out of it.

The bell won't ring.

Good morning, children.

I wanted to take a few minutes to explain a change

that's been made at our school.

I put you all in the same room because, well,

some of our students aren't with us this morning.

The teachers are gone, too.

Yes.

Yes, I'm afraid that's true, but we

have some other teachers coming in to replace them very soon.

But we like our teachers.

Well, I know you do.

I like them too.

Why can't they still be here?

I saw Ruth at the ice cream please.

She said her mother couldn't be here because she's a Jew.

Is Ruth going to hell?

No.

What would make you think such a thing?

Because she isn't a Christian.

But that's no reason to go to there.

See, Ruth is one of God's creatures,

and he loves all of us.

Does he love Ruth's mother?

Yes.

And Mrs. Green and Mrs. Azhari and Mrs. Levine?

Yes.

Then why wouldn't he let them be teachers?

Well, it isn't God that won't let them.

Wait a minute.

Let me see if I can explain this.

You see, there are certain rules and laws that we all

have to live by, and we must be obedient to those laws,

like we don't go over the speed limit.

Well, we shouldn't, but we all stop at red lights, right?

Well, then, this church also has certain laws

and we must obey them, too, the same way we obey God's laws.

Well, you remember when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses?

Ruth says Moses was a Jew like her.

That's right.

God gave those laws to the children of Israel,

but when God did that, He was really giving

those laws to all mankind.

Everybody has the same laws?

Well, the important ones, yes, in one form or another, yes.

If we all have the same laws, then

how come some of my friends can't come to school now?

Because of Jesus.

They don't believe in Jesus.

Is that right?

Well, in a way, yes.

You see, we are a Christian church,

and we have very strong beliefs based on our Bible.

In John, Chapter 14, Verse 6, Jesus says, I am the way,

the truth, and the life.

No man cometh unto the Father but by me.

Why didn't they come to us?

Why didn't who come?

Moses or Jesus?

If we're all God's children, why did

they just come to one place?

Why didn't Jesus come to where I live?

Well, he couldn't, Bai.

Why?

If God can do anything, if He wanted

us all to believe in Jesus, why didn't He

sent him to all of us?

Maybe it wasn't so important to him

that we all believe the same?

Maybe it was just important to Him

that we obey His commandments?

You said everybody has the same laws pretty much.

Yeah, that's got to be it.

Otherwise, God would have waited until Jesus could be

on TV so everybody could know.

You know, I bet the more we learned

about each other's religions, the more we realized

how much the same we are.

But I suppose it's too late for that now.

Good evening, Tobias.

Jonathan, I didn't realize anybody--

What are you doing here?

I could ask you the same thing.

I just needed a place to think.

Well, you couldn't come to a better spot.

Would you like me to leave you alone?

No, no, I'd like you to stay.

Please, do you want to sit down?

Thank you.

This may seem a little strange--

But you need somebody to talk to.

A stranger, someone who's not in the congregation.

Yes.

But how did you know.

Because I know how difficult it is sometimes

being the leader of a flock.

And they want to come to you with their problems,

not the other way around.

Oh, Jonathan, I just feel so lost.

I've thought so long and so hard about this, and I know,

I'm sure I know what needs to be done.

It's just-- if I were alone, maybe

it would be different to stand up to Kester.

But I'm not alone.

I have a wife and a child, and they love

this church as much as I do.

We have such a--

such a wonderful life.

Why did this have to happen?

Maybe you're being tested.

If I am, I'm failing, Jonathan.

Then ask for help.

No one can find real answers alone.

If I were you, I'd talk to the boss.

Oh, Kester, I've tried.

I'm not talking about Kester.

I thought your boss was God?

That's what my son Andrew said.

I know.

I'll leave you now, Tobias.

Talk to Him.

God bless you.

Yes.

God bless you too, Jonathan.

It's still won't ring.

I can't figure it.

Everything works fine, but it won't make a sound.

Well, we'll have someone come out and take another look.

I have to go now.

Morning, Tobias.

Morning.

I'm looking forward to your sermon today.

So am I. If you'll excuse me?

For the children of this world are in their generation wiser

than the children of light.

These words are from the 16th chapter of Luke, Verse 8,

are the inspiration for my words to you this morning.

I was notified this week that the National Council has

ordered our preschool to teach religion

and that our faculty must be made up only of those

of the Christian faith.

I informed the faculty of the council's edict,

and as most of you know, the majority of teachers

left either for religious reasons or out of principle.

I thought, it's not my fault. It was, after all, an order,

but still, still I wondered, was the teaching of religion

a proper role for a preschool teacher?

Would it not begin to cross over and conflict with our classes

in Sunday school?

I worried that it might be a provocation for discord

in the congregation, and so, I could not

bring myself to accept this new plan,

even though I knew I would be replaced

if I did not follow the edict.

I anguished long and hard trying to find a way to reconcile

the requirements of the council, and what I felt

was my obligation to the congregation

and my own conscience.

Finally, I turn to prayer, and the answer

came, the night before last as I knelt in this very church.

An enlightened poet once wrote, an angel

paused on its outward flight with the seed of love and truth

and light and cried, oh, where should

this seed be sewn that it may be fruitful when it is grown?

Our Savior heard and such as he smiled, place

it far in the heart of a child.

You see, a group of students from our preschool

helped bring me the answer to my dilemma

by pointing out to me, in their own special way, why religion

should be taught in our school.

I will bow to the will of the council.

Religion will be taught, but not just Christianity.

Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and more.

They should be taught as part of the learning process

that each child goes through.

They should be taught so as to increase the children's

understanding of their brothers and sisters

throughout the world, and they shall

be taught by our more than competent staff of teachers,

if I can convince them to return to work.

I know.

I know.

I know.

This may not be acceptable to the council,

but a church is made up of people, not of committees.

We had a school that brought children together

in love and understanding, and we all

know that the only chance for peace among the people

of the world is for them to come together and know

and appreciate the beliefs of all men.

But this is not for me to decide.

Finally, finally, it's up to you,

because this is your church.

This is your school.

I will leave you now to decide.

God bless us all.

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

After listening to you just now, I realize you were right.

You were right.

Well, I guess we'll just have to start all over again.

We've done that before, and now we have Andrew to help us.

And the boss.

The boss.

The congregation's decided.

Yeah, it was pretty well unanimous.

That didn't take long.

Should have seen the look on Kester's face

when they voted in favor of your school plan.

What?

What are you doing out here?

You got a congregation in there.

[bell tolling]

[theme music]