All language subtitles for Gods.Not.Dead.2.2016.720p.1080p.BRRip.x264-YTS-YIFY

[Audio Adrenaline singing
"Sound of the Saints"]

♪ Oh, I love to hear
the song of creation ♪

♪ The wind and the rhythm
of the rain ♪

♪ Oh, the thunder,
it speaks of your power ♪

♪ But there's something
in the sound of the saints ♪

♪ I've been washed
in the roar of the ocean ♪

♪ Found peace in the echoes
of a cave ♪

♪ And the trees of the field,
they clap their hands ♪

♪ But there's something
in the sound of the saints ♪

♪ From the lips
of those you saved ♪

♪ A redemption song will rise ♪

♪ With a sound so full
it cracks the sky ♪

♪ Whoa, we sing hallelujah ♪

♪ Whoa, we sing amen ♪

♪ Hear the sound of the saints
as we march onto Zion ♪

♪ Singing hallelujah, amen ♪

♪ Singing hallelujah,
amen ♪

♪ I will hear the chorus
of the angels ♪

- (groaning) -J' A forever
symphony of praise ♪

♪ I long to hear
the voice of my Savior ♪

IAnd he hears us
the sound of the saints ♪

♪ From the lips
of those you saved ♪

♪ A redemption song will rise ♪

♪ Every tongue, every tribe
hear the church, your bride ♪

♪ Whoa, we sing hallelujah ♪

Oh, I'm running late, 0h.

♪ Whoa, we sing amen ♪

- ♪ Hear the sound of the
saints ♪ -(car horns honking)

♪ As we march onto Zion ♪

♪ Singing hallelujah, amen ♪

♪ Singing hallelujah,
amen ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa ♪

♪ Our hearts will rise ♪

♪ Our song shall be ♪

♪ Jesus Christ,
our Savior King forever ♪

♪ Our hearts will rise ♪

♪ The saints will sing ♪

♪ Of Jesus Christ,
our Savior King ♪

♪ Forever, forever ♪

♪ Whoa, we sing hallelujah ♪

♪ Whoa, we sing amen ♪

♪ Hear the sound of the saints
as we march onto Zion ♪

♪ Singing hallelujah, amen ♪

♪ Hallelujah, amen ♪

(Richard) Brooke, we're all
upset, but we need to move on.

(Catherine)
Honey, you're a junior now.

It's your make-or-break year,

so there's no room
for self pity.

Can you give Marlene and I
a ride to school today?

(Richard) I'm sorry, honey,
I don't have time.

I have an 8:30 with Marc Shelley
at White & Wolfe.

What?! Richard,
you didn't say anything!

How did you get the meeting?

(Richard) It's just a meeting,
so don't get too excited.

But it could be huge.

(Catherine)
I know!

Who's going to
the meeting with you?

Hey, I got the meeting.

I know, I just think maybe you
should take Melinda or Janice.

(Richard) Janice?
You want me to take Janice?

- Yeah, why not?
- I'm not taking Janice.

- Rough morning?
- You know my parents.

Maybe they just
need a little more time.

I don't know about that.

I'd say they're
pretty over it.

My mom's making
tacos tonight.

I'll let her know
you're coming.

It's not like they'll miss me.

Brooke, I'm serious, honey.

You need to get focused
or you could say,

"Good-bye Stanford,
hello Somewhere State."

Got it.

Yikes.

(Grace)
Good morning!

(G ramps)
Morning, Grace.

I keep telling you, you
don't have to keep doing this.

Are you kidding?

This is the best
part of my day, Gramps.

Pills first.

You're a good girl.

Ah, honey, you know I'm not
gonna be around here forever,

and you might wanna start
thinking about some other guy

you wanna have breakfast with.

I'll work on that.

0K8)'-

You know, I love the way
you do the oatmeal,

but what do you say

I take you out for bacon and
eggs this morning, my treat.

(Grace) Not after your
last cholesterol test.

Besides, I have some papers
I have to grade

before the staff meeting.

(Gramps)
I'm 81 years old,

and bacon is not gonna be
what kills me.

Nice try, you're 82.

Yeah.

(Principal Kinney)
Good morning.

Have a nice day.

Morning, ladies.

Morning.

Good morning.

(Rizzo) Hey, what do you call
a teacher with no students?

Unemployed.

I got it,
how about ecstatic?

(Rizzo)
You're both right. Retired!

Only 36 days to go!

You know you're
gonna miss the kids

when you're gone, Rizzo.

No, Grace.
That's sweet, but no, I won't.

The older I get,

the more difficult
these kids are to deal with.

I totally agree.

Yesterday, I just about
snatched at Tim Webster.

That boy had me
on my last nerve.

Well, I happen to think
that difficult students

can be a blessing.

Grace, honey, when is this
optimism ever gonna wear off?

Bill. Bill.

Bill.

Junk mail.

Oh, man!

(Jude) David,
why are you always so sad?

(David)
Hey! You're back!

Why are you back?

My pastor gave me permission

to finish my doctorate
at Hadleigh,

so if that's okay with you,
I'm gonna be here for awhile.

Oh, David, you are a mess.

What happened to you?

I woke up.

(Grace)
Okay, for 500 points,

for all the cheese,
for the game.

This quote is from
what document?

"We hold these truths
to be self-evident,

"that all men are created equal,

"that they are endowed
by their Creator

with certain unalienable
rights, that among these--"

Boom, baby!

All right, Team 1,
what's your answer?

(student) Our answer is
the Declaration of Independence.

That's...correct!

Team 1 wins!

Yes!

- [school bell ringing]
- Okay, you guys,

Monday we will examine the
assertion of individual rights

through the last century.

Have a good weekend.

Brooke, are you okay?

I'm fine.

Are you sure?

Yeah, thanks.

MS. Ryan?

I lied.

(Grace)
Are you sure you're being fair?

Trust me, they're over it,

and they expect me
to be over it, too.

It's like to them,
he never even existed.

The only thing
that I know for sure

is that I'm never going
to see my brother again.

Everybody's asked if there's
anything that they can do.

The truth is,
no one can do anything

because the only thing
that I really want

is 5 more minutes
to tell my brother

how I really felt about him.

Did your brother believe
there was something more?

I don't know.

DO you?

Brooke, every person
reaches a point in their life

when they ask themselves
this question.

There's nothing wrong
with you asking it, too.

You never let
anything get to you.

How do you do that?

Jesus.

[phone ringing]

[phone ringing and buzzing]

Hello?

How'd it go, Amy?

(Amy)
Michael.

It's gone.

My cancer's--it's gone.

(Michael)
Oh, my goodness!

That's incredible!

(Amy) I know.
I just--I can't believe it.

Isn't that
what you prayed for?

(Amy)
Yes, of course. I just--

(Michael)
Prayer is a powerful thing,

and it turns out God has
much bigger plans for you.

(G ramps)
You okay, G race?

(Grace) Yeah, I just can't
stop thinking about Brooke.

You know, she's searching.

She's hurting.

(Gramps) Yeah,
that's the thing about atheism.

It doesn't take away the pain;
it just takes away the hope.

What'd you tell her?

The truth.

Now she's free to
make her own choice.

Unfortunately,
in this day and age,

people seem to forget that the
most basic human right of all

is a right to know Jesus.

Let's put her
on the prayer list.

Prayer always seems to be
the last thing we do,

when it should be the first.

Now, how 'bout
some more popcorn?

With a glycemic index
of 100, not a chance.

(Gramps) I swear, Grace, if you
don't start feeding me better,

I'm gonna leave you
for a nursing home.

Well, that's it for me.

I'm going to bed.

Love ya.

I love you better.

Love you first.

That's unfair.

[Gramps laughing]

Gotcha!

Brooke, the people from
that charity place are here

to pick up your
brother's things.

Can you make sure
they get everything?

And don't forget to
put the milk away!

N"?

N"?

N"?

(female) Well, that's the last
of it. - Thank you.

And, well, I was loading one
of the boxes onto the truck,

I noticed this and I thought
you might wanna keep it.

So sorry for your loss.

N"?

N"?

(Grace)
And so, peaceful nonviolence

comes first in India
under Gandhi,

and then later, here in
the United States under Dr. King

and others as a means
of achieving civil rights.

But what makes
nonviolence so radical

is its unwavering commitment
to a nonviolent approach,

not just initially, but in the
face of escalating persecution

by the opposing force.

Yes?

Isn't that sort of
like what Jesus meant

when he said that we
should love our enemies?

Yes.

The writer
of the Gospel of Matthew

records Jesus as saying,
"You have heard it said,

"love your neighbor
and hate your enemy,

"but I tell you,
love your enemies

"and pray for those
who persecute you,

that you will be children
of your Father in heaven,"

which indicates a commitment
to nonviolence.

Dr. King confirmed the link,

describing his inspiration
from Scripture,

saying Christ furnished
the spirit and motivation,

while Gandhi furnished
the method.

Except that that didn't work.

Jesus got himself killed
and everybody knows that.

(Grace)
Well, so did Dr. King.

So, I guess itjust depends
on how you measure success.

Both men created movements
that survive to this day,

even though both
paid the ultimate price

for their commitment
to their ideals.

I still wouldn't do it.

(Grace)
Well,

not very many people have
that kind of courage.

But I, for one,
am grateful for those that do,

you know, those who stand up
for what they believe.

[school bell ringing]

Have a good day.

N"?

Are you Pastor Dave?

lam.

- I'm Martin Yip.
- Nice to meet you.

My friend Josh Wheaton
said you might be able

to answer my questions
about God.

Well, that definitely falls
within my job description.

How many questions
have you got?

So far, 147.

Is something wrong?

No.

Josh encouraged me
to write them down

and be as comprehensive
as possible.

Of course he did.

Well, I'll have to thank him
next time I see him.

Come on.

So, what's
your first question?

(Principal Kinney) Grace,
I just have to hear it from you.

Did this happen?

If you're asking
whether I responded

to a student's question, yes.

If you're asking whether
her question and my answer

both referenced Jesus as it was
relevant to the history lesson

we were discussing,
again, I'd have to say yes.

(Jim Powell)
Good afternoon, Ms. Wesley.

I've asked Bob Fessler
to sit in,

he's the school's attorney,

to advise us on any legal issues
we might be brushing up against.

Should I have a lawyer, too?

(Jim) No, I don't see
the need for that.

Ms. Rizzo is present
as your union representation.

0K8)'-

(Jim) We are here to hear
your side of the story.

Now, I understand a student in
your second period history class

asked a question
about the parallels

between the teachings of Gandhi

and remarks allegedly made
by Jesus.

Yes, that's correct.

And your answer incorporated
specific detailed reference

to those teachings that
included Scripture itself,

the words of Jesus.

Yes.

What were you thinking,
Grace?

(Jim) Do you believe
your response was in line

with district policy?

Yes.

(Bob Fessler)
As well as in compliance

with state
and federal guidelines?

Yes, sir.

(Bob Fessler) Well, Ms. Wesley,
unfortunately for you,

I'm fairly certain the
school board will disagree.

(Principal Kinney) No, Coach,
you're not hearing me.

No prayers.

No moments of silence.
Nothing.

(Coach)
It's tradition on the field.

Not on the field,
not in the locker room,

not in the parking lot
for that matter, okay?

(Coach)
Whatever you say.

Okay, thanks, Coach.

Come on in.

Hi, Brooke.

You wanted to see me?

Ms. Wesley is currently
under disciplinary review.

All of her classes
have been reassigned

until things are settled.

I don't want you to have
any contact with her.

None whatsoever, either
on or off school property.

Do I have any say in this?

No, I've already discussed
things with your father

and he agrees.

Since when does my dad care?

Brooke, the important thing
for you to remember

is you've done nothing wrong.

Neither did Ms. Wesley.

All she did was
answer a question.

Ms. Wesley's answer was
not in line with school policy.

Really?

I mean, aren't we allowed
to say what we believe?

When did that change?

I'm not gonna argue with you,

and I don't want you discussing
the situation with anyone.

Do you understand?

Do you understand?

Yes.

Grace?

Are you--

Tom Endler, your
union-appointed attorney.

You don't look like a lawyer.

Thank you.

I'm not sure I meant
that as a compliment.

I'm determined
to take it as one.

Shall we sit?

So, have you defended
many teachers

in disciplinary matters?

Nope, you're my first.

Just hired on from
the public defender's office.

Criminal law?

No offense,
but I'm not a criminal.

Don't be so sure of that.

Your kind of case makes
everybody uncomfortable.

School boards,
teachers, parents.

It makes them feel...yucky.

Yucky?

Is that a technical
legal term?

You got a better word for it?

Grace, I'm gonna
level with you.

Nobody wants your case.

I drew it because
I'm low man on the totem pole

in a place where
seniority means everything.

If, for whatever reason,
you're not happy with me,

you're on your own.

You're free to hire your own
attorney out of your own pocket.

Educational law isn't
exactly a common specialty.

So, what's the good news?

I don't like to lose.

And I'm willing
to fight for you.

Are you a believer?

You mean a Christian?

No, but I think
that's an advantage.

Why?

You're passionate
about what you believe.

I mean, let's face it,

it's why you're in trouble
in the first place.

But it blinds you to
the realities of procedure.

0K8)'-

Okay, what?

Okay, I agree to
let you represent me.

- Good.
- Good.

(Jude)
David, are you okay?

(David)
Um, terrific.

There was a young man
in here, brilliant kid,

with no exposure to Scripture
until a few months ago.

He came in with some questions.

147 of 'em to be exact.

I feel like I've been hit
by a truck loaded with Bibles.

Big heavy ones
with those thick covers.

[Jude laughing]

Always be ready to give
answer as to why you believe

and the reason for your hope.

1 Peter chapter 3, verse 15.

Yes.

And where were you
4 hours ago?

(Grace) "Trust in the Lord
with all your heart

"and lean not on your
own understanding.

"In all your ways,
acknowledge him

and he will make
your paths straight."

Father, I need you.

I can't do this alone.

I know that you're in control.

Please, give me the courage.

In Jesus' name, amen.

(Jim)
Call to order.

I assume Ms. Wesley understands
that this board has the power

to recommend any number
of disciplinary actions,

up to and including
termination.

She does.

And this board should be
aware that in the event

of such termination,

which we would view as both
wrongful and without cause,

she reserves
all rights of redress.

I may have a solution.

There might be a way around
all of this unpleasantness

that would satisfy all parties.

A disciplinary notice
in Ms. Wesley's file

stating the school board's
objections to her behavior,

a response from Ms. Wesley

confessing the
inappropriateness of

and apologizing for her actions,

along with a pledge
not to engage

in similar discussion
of Jesus in the future.

I'm confident that we can
move forward on that basis.

No.

Grace...

I can't.

(Tom) I'd like to request
a brief recess

to have a word with my client.

Excuse me.

Grace, this is exactly
what we were hoping for.

I mean, this is the part
where you say you're sorry,

thank your lawyer,

go back to your classroom,
pick up your life, and move on.

- I can't do that.
- Why?

I gave an honest answer

to a student's legitimate
question in history.

Grace.

Grace, you don't
wanna do this.

It's the wrong decision.

Is it?

I mean, I would rather
stand with God

and be judged by the world

than stand with the world
and be judged by God.

I am not gonna be afraid
to say the name "Jesus."

[signing]

I know her.
She's not gonna go for it.

(Jim)
How do we make this go away

and not get blood on our hands?

That's the easy part.

We let the ACLU do it.

They'll file suit
against Ms. Wesley

and if she is found liable,
which she will be,

then we fire her for cause.

But the school district
will certainly be named

as a codefendant.

We don't have the financial
wherewithal to fight that.

They've already been in touch.

They aren't interested
in punishing the school.

They want her.

Are you sure?

(Bob)
Trust me.

They've been dreaming
of a case like this.

While Ms. Wesley apologizes
for any inconvenience

her actions may have caused,

Ms. Wesley stands by
her statements,

and she does not retract
or recant them,

either in full or in part.

So noted.

Having little choice, this board
recommends continued suspension,

henceforth without pay,

pending review by a court
of competent jurisdiction

to determine whether or not
Ms. Wesley violated

local, state,
or federal guidelines.

This proceeding is adjourned.

(Catherine)
The last thing we need is

a bunch of religious fanatics

protesting
outside of our house.

We'll work to keep it
out of the media for now.

But next year, when you're
applying to all the colleges,

you'll be able
to tell the story

of how Brooke was part of
a landmark constitutional case

concerning the separation
of church and state.

And believe me, there is not
an Ivy League admissions board

that could resist that.

And think of the other
children out there,

innocent children
who are subjected

to their repressive
belief system.

And not forgetting
the financial opportunities.

Yes.

Ms. Wesley is an employee
of the school board.

We win in court and we
establish her misconduct

as said paid employee,

well, there's nothing that
changes policy faster

than a big,
expensive settlement.

We're going to prove once
and for all that God is dead.

Brooke is a minor.

As far as the court is
concerned, she has no rights.

That simply means I won't be
asking her to be a witness.

I feel supremely
confident about this.

0K8)'-

N"?

Injunctive relief?

They're asking
that you be fired,

plus revocation of your
teaching certificate.

What?
How am I supposed to--

(Tom)
Plus attorney's fees.

Essentially,
you'll lose everything.

Why are they doing this?

They want to make
an example of you.

To them, your beliefs
are like a disease

whose time has come and gone,

sort of like smallpox,
or polio, or the plague.

So, what do we do?

We win.

(student)
Hey, what's going on?

(student) Brooke is exercising
her right to protest.

(student)
Idiot.

(student)
Hey, shut up, loser.

At least she's
standing for something.

Give me that.

Brooke, you need to
stop this immediately.

Brooke, this is the last
time I'm gonna tell you.

If you don't stop
this right now,

there are gonna be
some consequences.

Actually, I don't think
that there will,

because this is a sidewalk,
which is public property.

My dad's a lawyer.

Well, actually, this sidewalk
is on school property.

I suggest you girls
aren't late for class.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey, what are you doing?

I'm just, you know,
reading the paper

while my laptop goes through
my online jury orientation.

Well, shouldn't you
be paying attention?

Please remember, consumption
of alcoholic beverages,

nonprescription drugs,
and weapons are prohibited

in the courtroom.

Still, isn't it
your civic duty?

Theoretically, yeah,
but Matthew 22:14.

Oh, "Many are called,
few are chosen."

Exactly.

Three hundred people show up,
they sit around for 8 hours,

and at the end of the day,
they all go home,

having not been selected.

Statistically,
I have a better chance

of being hit by lightning.

Gotta get some coffee.

All right.

(Tom)
It's called "voir dire."

It means that we get a chance to
eliminate any potential jurors

that may have
a bias against you.

- Sir.
- Oh!

Thank you, sir.

So, how are you feeling?

I'm good.

All right, well, this is
a bit of an arduous process.

They bring all these jurors in.
It's gonna take the whole day,

but I think this is where
we can win the case.

(bailiff) All rise for the
Honorable Judge Robert Stennis.

(Judge Stennis)
On the order of the matter

of Thawley vs. Wesley,

you may be seated.

[gavel banging]

So, it says here--
what does it say?

It says you're a psychic.

Yes.

Oh, do you know
who's gonna win this case?

No, don't answer that.

We're going to challenge
this juror, Your Honor.

(Tom) Ms. Bailey,
what's your favorite TV show?

"Pretty Little Liars."

Peremptory challenge,
Your Honor.

What is your favorite TV show?

"Duck Dynasty."

Peremptory challenge,
Your Honor.

"Duck Dynasty."

(Tom) Ms. Smith, are you
involved in any community

or charitable organizations?

Yes, the Salvation Army.

We'll accept this juror,
Your Honor.

(Pete) Juror number nine,
you're a teacher.

(juror)
I'm a retired teacher.

Ever have any disciplinary
run-ins with the administration?

Never.

Acceptable to the plaintiff,
Your Honor.

(Tom)
Acceptable, Your Honor.

(Pete) Peremptory challenge,
Your Honor.

(Tom)
We'll take her, Your Honor.

(Pete)
Thank you, Mr. Cherry.

Preemptive challenge,
Your Honor.

Number two
just screams Marine.

I don't want him.

That would mean
blowing our last challenge.

(Pete)
Well, we have no choice.

I mean, what part of
"God, Country, and Corps"

do you wanna put
on that jury?

What was your
last paid position?

Artillery Forward Observer,
United States Marine Corps.

Peremptory challenge,
Your Honor.

Thank you.

(Pete) Your Honor, we'd like
to challenge for cause.

Why is that?

Oh, Your Honor, the man's
an ordained minister.

Need I say more?

The juror is excused.

(Tom)
Objection, Your Honor.

Basis, Mr. Endler?

(Tom)
Discriminatory, Your Honor.

Peremptory challenges can not
be used to discriminate

against a certain class
ofjuror based on race,

ethnic background,
religion, or gender.

And the fact
that religious belief

is tangential to this case
doesn't change that.

Upon further reflection,

I find the respondent's
assertion is correct.

Sustained.

You're not her pastor, are you?

No, Your Honor.

Your Honor,
I must protest here.

(Judge Stennis)
Mr. Kane,

now, you had a set
number of peremptory challenges,

all of which you have used.

Therefore, it's up
to opposing counsel.

We accept him, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Welcome to the jury, sir.

Henceforth,
juror number twelve.

I hope you enjoy your
service to the community.

Better chance of
being struck by lightning.

(Amy) It amazes me how we,
as human beings, think.

When I was battling for my life,

I was willing to hold onto
anything, including God,

even though I really
didn't believe in him

until that moment.

I was convinced that I felt him,

but now that
I'm officially in remission,

I find myself
questioning everything.

So, effective immediately,
this biog is the personal diary

of one woman's
exploration of faith

on her own terms, cancer-free.

Hey, Martin.
How's it going?

Very good, Pastor Dave.

Oh, please.

You sure?

Well, it seems that for
every question you answered,

three or four more
questions spring up.

Yeah, but that's
a good thing, right?

It's like what Einstein
said about science.

Picture what you know
like the light of a candle.

As the circle
of knowledge expands,

so does the circumference
of darkness around it.

So, I'm actually learning,

eventhough
I might not feel like it.

(Dave)
Yes, exactly.

Well, I've been studying
the Beatitudes.

They're very hard,
one might say impossible,

to follow completely.

Here in Luke's account,
Jesus says,

"Do unto others as you
have them do unto you."

But how is that possible?

How can I react to
the needs of everyone else

the same as my own,
even for one day,

let alone my whole life?

And how can
I reconcile my inability

to do so with Scripture?

Yeah, those are good questions.

Okay, scoot over.

What is that, Luke?

Yes, 6:20.

(Dave) "And Jesus said
to his disciples,

"'You who are poor
are blessed

"'because the kingdom of God
is yours.

"'You who are now hungry
are blessed

"'because you will be filled.

"'You who now weep are blessed
because you will laugh.

"'You are blessed when people
hate you, when they exclude you,

"'insult you,
and slander your name as evil

because of the Son of Man."'

(Pete)
You can't win.

Thanks.

I'll take that
under advisement.

(Pete)
Oh, come on, you know I'm right.

I mean, why do it?

Why go through this
whole exercise, huh?

Here, thanks.

You know, I looked
up your history.

You're better than this.

You were third in your
class at Stanford Law.

You clerked for a judge
on the Ninth Circuit.

Why you slumming like this?

Maybe I believe that people
that don't do anything wrong

shouldn't suffer
at the hands of the law.

You know what hate is, Tom?

I'm not talking about
the fairy tale stuff,

I mean real hate.

I hate what people
like your client stand for

and what they're
doing to our society,

and Stennis does, too,
even if he doesn't admit it.

Well, the jury doesn't hate her.

Ah, but that's
the secret, Tommy.

They don't need to hate her.

They just need to see a tiny
flaw in her, a half truth,

a small inconsistency,
just a little bit of doubt,

and they'll find against her.

Nice shoes.

You ready?

Come on.

(Judge Stennis)
Congress shall make no law

respecting an establishment

of religion or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof.

The first half of this passage

is known as
the establishment clause.

The second half is known as
the free exercise clause.

Now, there has been
an ongoing debate

about what the role
of government should be,

because in practice,
these two provisions

are often in conflict,

which is what brings us
here today.

In the matter of
Thawley vs. Wesley,

is the plaintiff prepared to
make its opening statement?

We are, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Then proceed.

(Pete) Ladies and gentlemen,
in a jury of this size,

I'm imagining that there are,
probably among your ranks,

a few Christians.

Hopefully practicing ones,

and that's a good thing,
that's fine,

because Christianity
is not on trial here,

even though my opponent will
try to convince you that it is.

Nor is faith on trial.

Only Ms. Wesley
is on trial here today.

Now, ask any 4th grader

and they're probably
familiar with the phrase,

"Separation
of church and state,"

and that is guaranteed
to us under our laws.

The plaintiffs
are the parents of a student

in Ms. Wesley's class
who was subjected to hearing

the teachings of Jesus Christ
being favorably compared

to the teachings
of Mahatma Gandhi.

We all know
that Jesus is part

of a particular
religious tradition.

These parents, who are
trying to raise their daughter

to be a free thinker,

free of any religious dogma,

are wholly offended by what
went on in that classroom.

And she, reciting the words

that were allegedly
attributed to Jesus,

who allegedly lived
2,000 years ago,

gave a clear and
compelling indication

of what she believes,
what she supports,

what she endorses.

Now, let me put it this way.

I don't mean to offend anyone
who may be a Muslim here,

and I do not want to slight
the prophet of Islam,

but if you were to ask me a
question concerning the Quran,

the sacred text of Islam,

and I could come up
with the answer

with great speed and accuracy,

and I could quote
the proper surah, or chapter,

then it would be reasonable
for you to infer

that I was not only
a follower of Islam,

but that I considered it
to be superior

to all other forms of religion.

If I did this in a house of
worship, that would be fine.

But if I did it in an 11th grade
classroom in a public school,

that would be preaching,
not teaching.

So, why? Why in the world
are we here today?

Why? Because Ms. Wesley
refused to apologize,

and that means that
her true motivation

in that moment in her classroom

was to take an innocent question

and turn it into an opportunity
to preach, not teach.

If we grant Ms. Wesley
the right to do that,

and by extension, everyone else,

to violate the law based solely
on our own private beliefs,

then our society will crumble.

I believe that.

So, I implore you, please
do not set this precedent.

Do not.

The future of our republic
depends on it.

[cell phone dinging]

(student)
What's going on?

(student) Brooke is exercising
her right to protest.

Brooke, I need you
to stop this immediately.

Brooke, this is the last time
I'm gonna tell you.

If you don't stop right now,
there are gonna be consequences.

[ringing]

(Marlene)
Hey, Aunt Amy.

Hey, Marlene.

Yeah, I just saw the video,
what's going on?

So, you remember
my friend, Brooke?

(Amy)
Yeah.

Well, she got
a teacher in trouble

for asking her about Jesus.

What?

Now she's not even
supposed to talk about it

and we can't even cover it
in our school paper.

Is there any way that
I could meet with her?

- The teacher?
- No, Brooke.

(Judge Stennis) Mr. Endler,
your opening statement.

Ladies and gentlemen
of the jury,

I have here a copy
of the Constitution

of the United States
of America

and its Bill of Rights,

arguably the two most
important documents

in the history
of our great nation.

But despite Mr. Kane's
impassioned rhetoric,

you know what you
won't find in there

no matter how hard you look?

The phrase "Separation
of church and state."

That's right.

It's not in there,
never has been,

because that phrase
comes from a letter

written by Thomas Jefferson.

Now, ironically,
Jefferson was writing

to a Baptist congregation,
ensuring them

that they would always
have the right

to believe as they wished,
free of government interference.

But lately, that phrase has
been taken out of context

and twisted and contorted

to mean the exact opposite.

And one morning early this year,
my client, Ms. Wesley,

she woke up as usual,

she drove to work
at her job as a teacher

at Martin Luther King
High School,

a place where she was
Teacher of the Year.

Her lesson plan
for second period A.P. history

that morning, it didn't include
any mention of God or Jesus.

She didn't have a Bible sitting
on her desk in plain view.

She didn't start her class
with a blessing.

She didn't lead her
students in prayer.

No, all she did was
answer a question,

because that is what
she gets paid to do.

Now, Mr. Kane will insist
loudly and often

that faith isn't on trial here,

but that is exactly
what is on trial,

the most basic human right
of all, the right to believe.

Mr. Kane's afraid.

He's afraid that you, the jury,
the touchstone of common sense,

might not agree with
his tortured interpretation

of the Constitution,

that you might understand
that my client has rights,

rights that trump his agenda,
and that in realizing that

you will hold as I do

that my client is guilty
of no wrongdoing

and innocent of any
and all claims against her.

Thank you very much.

(Brooke) And now it's become
this huge deal,

and all she did was
answer my question.

Why do you think your
parents are doing this?

Because my mom thinks
it'll help me get into Stanford

or one of the lvys, and my dad
thinks it'll help pay for it.

And nobody's asked
you what you think?

No.

So, are you gonna help her?

I don't know.

I would at least
like to talk to her.

Maybe I could help get
her story out there.

Great, because everyone's
telling me to stay out of it.

Do you always do
what you're told?

What is your heart
telling you to do?

(Pete) Mr. Thawley, how did
you feel when you found out

that your daughter
had been exposed

to faith-based teachings
in class?

Well, it felt like
we had been violated.

I mean, this was supposed
to be a history class,

not Sunday school.

My wife and I
are free thinkers.

We're rationalists.

We believe in
a non-theistic world view,

and that's how we were trying
to raise our daughter.

And did you discuss this
incident with your daughter?

Well, I tried,

but it's hard discussing
anything with kids that age.

She's 16.

Some of you know
what that's like.

It's hard enough trying to
maintain credibility as a parent

without a teacher jumping in

and arguing
against your position.

Now, we trust the school
not to overstep its bounds

in terms of what is
and what isn't appropriate.

Is that too much to ask?

No.
Thank you, Mr. Thawley.

That's all, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Your witness, Mr. Endler.

No questions, Your Honor.

Next witness, Mr. Kane.

Mrs. Rizzo, did Ms. Wesley
talk about faith issues

on the school campus?

All the time.

Everybody knows
she's a Christian.

I don't think she'd chew a stick
of gum without praying first.

It makes everyone feel awkward.

(Pete)
Thank you.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Your witness, Mr. Endler.

Mrs. Rizzo, you stated
that Ms. Wesley

talks about her
faith all the time.

I'm curious, can you
give me a specific instance?

Well, not off
the top of my head.

Well, has she,
as far as you're aware,

ever started her class
with a prayer?

(Mrs. Rizzo)
No.

(Tom) Has she ever asked
anyone in the teacher's lounge

to pray with her?

No.

(Tom) Has she ever asked you
personally to pray with her?

(Pete)
Objection, Your Honor.

- No.
-Cumulative.

The question has effectively
been asked and answered.

Your Honor, Mrs. Rizzo's
sworn testimony states

that Ms. Wesley talked
about her faith all the time,

yet she's failed to cite
a single instance.

I'm merely trying to discover
some basis for her opinion.

(Judge Stennis)
Sustained.

Mr. Endler, we're done with
this line of questioning.

(Tom) Mrs. Rizzo,
in the school's initial inquiry

into this matter, you were
Ms. Wesley's representative

on behalf
of the teacher's union,

were you not?

Yes.

And did you ever consider
that your disapproval

of her faith might
taint your ability

to represent her properly?

(Pete)
Objection, speculative.

(Judge Stennis)
Sustained.

[sneezing]

God bless you.

Careful, or you
might end up on trial.

Mr. Endler!

No further questions,
Your Honor.

[reporters shouting]

(female news anchor) So, when
are these religious zealots

going to realize it's not only
disrespectful of them

to push their beliefs on others,

in this case,
it's actually illegal?

This woman, this fundamentalist,
used her position of influence

as a teacher to fill the minds
of our children with nonsense.

If you ask me,
the religious extremists

we need to worry about
are the hard-core Christians.

How about we show up in force
and show Ms. Wesley just exactly

what we think
of her proselytizing?

(Pete)
Principal Kinney, what was

the school district's
final determination?

(Principal Kinney) Well, Grace
has been suspended without pay

pending the result
of this trial.

Isn't it rather unusual,
leaving it up to a third party

to determine whether
Ms. Wesley is fired?

(Principal Kinney)
We've decided to accept

the court's interpretation
of wrongdoing either way.

No questions, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Your witness, Mr. Endler.

(Tom)
Ms. Kinney,

can you tell me the full name
of the high school

over which you preside?

Doctor Martin Luther King Junior
Memorial High School.

(Tom) I noticed that the name
fails to mention

Dr. King's title
as Reverend Doctor.

It's his work
in the field of civil rights

that we prefer to highlight.

(Tom)
But that's the whole point.

You consider
his faith and politics

to be separate things,

but I don't, and he
certainly wouldn't have.

Objection, Your Honor.

Counsel is testifying.

Sustained.

Jury's instructed to ignore
Mr. Endler's preceding remarks.

Ms. Kinney, are you familiar
with Dr. King's letter

from the Birmingham Jail?

(Principal Kinney)
Yes, it's a seminal piece

of civil rights history.

(Tom) In that letter
Dr. King makes numerous

faith-based references,
does he not?

Offhand, I don't recall.

Allow me to refresh
your memory.

He cites the example
of the three youths

from the book of Daniel who were
tossed into the fiery furnace

by King Nebuchadnezzar because
they refused to worship him.

Elsewhere, he urges
action with Jesus,

and here I quote,
"Extremist love."

And in his speech,
"I've Been to the Mountaintop,"

he stated that he just wanted
to do God's will.

Is this coming back to you now?

Yes.

In your opinion,
would Ms. Wesley,

had she chosen to do so,
have been allowed to present

the examples that I just
mentioned in her class?

(Pete)
Objection, speculative.

(Judge Stennis)
I'm going to allow it.

Overruled.

Witness may answer.

No.

If it were up to me, she would
not have been allowed.

Why not?

(Principal Kinney)
Because those examples

are too closely
associated with faith.

In other words, they're facts,

but they're just facts that are
too dangerous for discussion?

The word I would use would be
"controversial."

But aren't facts just facts?

I mean, there's
nothing controversial

about 2 plus 2 equaling 4,
or E equals MC squared,

or the date man
landed on the moon.

So, why the controversy
about these facts?

I think the fact that
we're all here today

speaks for itself.

Thank you for your honesty.

One last question.

In your orientation

at the beginning
of the semester,

your memo to the staff stressed
diversity and tolerance,

did it not?

Yes.

Well, would it be fair to say
that except for Christianity,

all other forms of diversity
are welcome?

(Pete)
Objection!

Your Honor!

I will withdraw the question.

(Judge Stennis) Mr. Endler,
you seem to have a penchant

for injecting commentary
where it doesn't belong.

You would do well to avoid
further provocation

of this court.

I apologize, Your Honor.

I'll look to curtail it
in the future.

Redirect, Your Honor?

Ms. Kinney, I understand
that you attended a service

at Ms. Wesley's church
a short while ago.

Is that correct?

(Principal Kinney)
Yes, that's correct.

It was an event honoring several
students who attend that church

for their community service.

(Pete)
Mm-hmm.

And who was it that
invited you to that service?

Grace Wesley.

(Pete)
I see.

And where were you when
this invitation was extended?

At my office.

On school grounds?

(Principal Kinney)
Yes.

(Pete)
During work hours?

(Principal Kinney)
Yes.

Thank you.

Oh, one last question.

Is it true that Ms. Wesley
accepts donations

for a faith-based charity,
Convoy of Hope,

right there in the classroom?

Yes, she does.

(Pete)
Thank you again.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
You may step down, Mrs. Kinney.

Court's adjourned.

[gavel banging]

Grace, can I ask you
a question,

off the record?

Sure.

These people, they're
looking to destroy you,

and I don't just mean
financially.

Do you think it's worth it?

I hope so.

So do I.

[laughing and chatter]

Fishy and cheesy
at the same time.

David, this tuna melt
is exquisite.

Oh, yeah, exquisite.

It's the provolone.

That was my idea.

I love what it does
to the flavor of the fish.

Don't I know you?

You're from
Blaze's Car Rental, right?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, that gig didn't
really work out for me.

I don't think customer
service is my forte.

So, you decided
to become a waiter?

Well, this is where
I do my dinner theatre.

In the mornings
I serve up croissants.

In the evenings
I serve up Chekhov.

Oh.

Hey, listen, sorry about
the whole car not working thing.

It's okay.

I learned my lesson.

He bought a Prius.

Starts every time.

Oh!

- Same 9W-
- Same 9W-

Amazing.

Gentlemen, I don't wanna
spoil your brunch,

but I'm hearing from
a friend of mine

in the prosecutor's office
about a subpoena

that just came down
demanding that we submit

copies of our sermons for
the last 3 months for review.

Can they do that?

They tried it in Houston.

So, now the government
can determine

what we can and can't preach
at our churches?

Let's not overreact.

I'm sure there's
no ill intent here.

Unfortunately, I think
this is just the beginning.

We've been ignoring it, and now
we're paying the price for it.

(pastor) Well, don't forget
the silent majority.

They're out there.

They just need something
to stand for.

Well I'll admit there's
pressure, but I think with time

this will correct itself.

(Dave) Forgive me,
but I think you're wrong.

I'm serving on a jury
in a case right now

that touches
on these issues.

And of course, I'm not allowed
to talk about it,

but I mean, the one thing
that it's convinced me of

is that if we stand by
and do nothing,

pressure that we're
feeling today

is gonna mean
persecution tomorrow.

What makes you so sure?

(Dave) Speed of change,
viciousness of the opposition.

The message of the gospel
has us standing in the way

of a lot of things
that powerful people want,

and our resistance
to change that message

because it's not ours to change
has made us a lot of enemies.

Whether we admit it
or not, we're at war,

the war of Ephesians 6,
not against flesh and blood,

but against the powers
of this world,

against the spiritual forces
in the heavenly realms.

And if we insist
on denying that,

then we've already lost.

[knocking]

I brought a giant bag
of Chinese food

and a briefcase
full of files.

I say we eat first.

I say you're a genius.

(Tom)
Does Walter want to join us?

Oh, no.
He's hiding in his room.

How come?

He's treating this
like it's a date,

which should give
you some indication

of what my social life is like.

Don't worry,
I won't tell.

Falls under
attorney-client privilege.

So, is this what you always
saw yourself doing,

the lawyer thing?

No, um...

I wanted to be Batman.

How 'bout you?

Your parents have you all set
to go to the convent?

Actually, there were
no bedtime prayers

in my childhood.

I was raised in a house
without much faith.

When did you decide
to become a Christian?

I was walking home
from class.

It was dark, and I was
struggling with a lot of things.

And I turned the corner,

and right there in front of me
was this church.

It had this old sign out front,

but it just stopped me
in my tracks.

And the sign...
the sign said,

"Who do you say that I am?"

And as I read it, I could hear
the Lord speak to me.

You know,

I couldn't get that question
out of my head for days,

so that was the start
of a journey that didn't end

until I found the answer.

N"?

N"?

N"?

N"?

N"?

N"?

N"?

♪ Nearer, my God, to thee ♪

♪ Nearer to thee ♪

(Brooke)
That was beautiful.

Forgive me, but I did
not know anyone was here.

Oh, no.
Please don't apologize.

I didn't mean to interrupt.

I just didn't know
where else to go.

I'm Martin.

I'm Brooke.

Do you think I could
ask you a few questions?

That would be fine.

Good, 'cause I have a lot.

He doesn't make mistakes.

But I thought you proved bias.

I mean, Principal Kinney
and Mrs. Rizzo?

Those were just jabs.

We need a knockout punch.

Why did you feel compelled

to bring Jesus up
in history class?

Why shouldn't I have?

Grace, I'm not here
to debate with you

what you think
your rights were as--

No, Tom, listen.

This isn't about faith.

This is about history.

Okay, maybe I'm wrong here.

I'm not the law expert,

but I think they've
missed the point.

I'm not sure I follow.

Their whole attack, it's
about me preaching in class,

but I didn't do that.

They're saying you did.

You cited Scripture.

You talked about Jesus'
teachings just like

they were any other
verifiable fact.

But what if they're just that?

I mean, just because certain
facts happen to be recorded

in the Bible doesn't mean
they stop being facts.

We can separate
the history-based elements

of Jesus' life from
the faith-based element.

I mean, in my classroom,
I didn't talk about Jesus

as my Lord and Savior.

You know, all I did was
comment on quotations

attributed to Jesus, the man,
and I did it in A.P. History.

There was nothing wrong
with the context.

And any rule saying
that you can talk

about any historic figure
that ever existed

exceptJesus
is discriminatory.

They can't institute that.

And every credible historian
admits that Jesus existed.

I mean, there's just
too much evidence.

Grace, I love it.

This is our defense.

Jesus as a historic figure,
just like everyone else.

And you know what?

Kane will never see it coming.

You got some reading to do.

He just had so many notes
written in the margins

that for the first time
I felt like I was

truly getting to know
my brother.

Like God gave me
the extra 5 minutes

that I so desperately
needed with him.

I just don't understand why he
never told me about his faith.

(Martin)
Sharing one's faith with family,

especially not knowing
how they will react,

can be difficult.

Count our struggles
as blessings, right?

That is exactly right.

There are more than 5 minutes
awaiting you and your brother.

John chapter 11,
verse 25 to 26 says,

"I am the resurrection
and the life.

"He who believes in me
will live even if he dies.

"And whoever lives
and believes in me

will never die."

Do you believe this?

I do.

Then invite him
into your heart

and make him
the Lord of your life.

Dear Lord, I'm not
quite sure what to say,

but thank you for dying
on the cross for me.

Please forgive me of my sin.

Jesus, please come
into my life,

and I will follow you
as my Lord and Savior.

Amen.

N"?

Thank you.

Can you state your name
and occupation for the court?

My name is Lee Strobel.

I'm a professor
of Christian thought

at Houston Baptist University

and the author of more than
2O books about Christianity,

including "The Case for Christ."

Can you help me prove
the existence of Jesus Christ?

(Lee) Absolutely,
beyond any reasonable doubt.

(Tom)
How so?

(Lee) Actually, this court
already affirmed it

when we were called into session
and the date was given.

Our calendar has been split
between B.C. and A.D.

based on the birth of Jesus,

which is quite a feat
if he never existed.

Beyond that,
historian Gary Habermas

lists 39 ancient sources
for Jesus,

from which he enumerates
more than 100 reported facts

about his life, teachings,
crucifixion, and resurrection.

In fact, the historical evidence
for Jesus' execution

is so strong that
one of the most famous

New Testament scholars
in the world,

Gerd Ludemann of Germany,
said, "Jesus' death

as a consequence of crucifixion
is indisputable."

Now, there are very few facts
in ancient history

that a critical historian
like Gerd Ludemann

will say is indisputable.

One of them is the execution
of Jesus Christ.

(Tom) Forgive me,
but you're a believer,

are you not?

A Bible-believing Christian?

Guilty as charged.

So, wouldn't this tend
to inflate your estimate

of the probability
that Jesus existed.

(Lee) No, because we
don't need to inflate it.

We can reconstruct
the basic facts about Jesus

just from non-Christian sources
outside the Bible.

And Gerd Ludemann is an atheist.

In other words, we can prove
the existence of Jesus

solely by using sources
that have absolutely

no sympathy toward Christianity.

As the agnostic historian,
Bart Ehrman, says,

"Jesus did exist,
whether we like it or not."

I put it this way:

Denying the existence of Jesus
doesn't make him go away.

It merely proves that no amount
of evidence will convince you.

(Tom)
Thank you.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Mr. Kane, your witness.

No questions, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
That's lunch.

We'll recess until 2 p.m.

(Reverend Jude)
Can I help you with something?

Oh, hi.

I was looking for Pastor Dave.

My friend, Mina, she said
I should come see him.

She said he's real
easy to talk to.

He won't be back
until after next week.

Oh, okay.
Thanks.

Sweeping is something
I only do part-time.

I enjoy it because
it helps me think.

But if you need to talk,
I'm actually a pastor.

(Amy) It's been 3 weeks
since my doctors told me

I was in remission.

(Reverend Jude)
Oh, Amy, that's wonderful.

It is.

Yes.

(Amy) But even though
I've been given this gift,

I've been questioning my faith.

I know Jesus existed,
but I'm struggling to believe.

(Reverend Jude) Actually,
I think you already do believe,

and the proof is you're
not willing to put God

back on the shelf
now that your cancer is gone.

He won't let you dismiss
the thought of him.

Part of you senses
Jesus' presence

and wishes that he would just
go away and leave you alone.

Actually, now
that you mention it,

I had thought of that.

Look, he delights in using us
in ways we never dreamed of

and giving us things that we
never even knew we wanted.

We just have to give him
a chance.

Will you?

Thank you.

Hi, I'm Reverend David Hill.

(officer)
Sermon transcripts, right?

- Yes.
- Just put it right there.

They've been coming
in all morning.

I'm sure they did what
they thought was best.

That's it?

Those are your entire sermons
for the past 120 days?

No, that's a letter
that I wrote

explaining why I'm not going
to hand them in.

Excuse me?

I know it's unusual
for a Christian pastor

to willfully resist a subpoena

issued by a lawful
government authority,

and it's even more unusual

that he should feel
compelled to do so.

Are you sure
you wanna do that?

It's something
that I have to do.

You know the old saying,
"The squeaky wheel

gets the grease,"
don't you?

I have another saying:

"A nail that sticks up
gets hammered down."

[gasping]

(Amy) Susan, what I'm seeing
is a teacher who answered

a student's question
to the best of her ability.

Amy, it sounds like
you're taking the side

of Grace Wesley here.

Surely, you see that she used
the student's question

to promote her Christian agenda.

(Amy) Actually, Susan,
that's not how I see it.

I believe Ms. Wesley's entitled
to her own opinions,

and that includes
in the classroom.

She didn't try to convert these
students, in fact--

Amy, I must say,
I'm shocked at what seems to be

a complete 180 from the typical
stance of your plot.

Just look at the facts
of this case for a minute.

She clearly infringed on
the rights of her students.

Marlene?

I have an idea.

Come over as soon
as you can, okay?

(female juror)
You look terrible.

You really ought to
ask to be excused.

No, no, I'm fine.

I really need to be here.

(bailiff)
All rise.

(Judge Stennis)
You may be seated.

Juror number 12, is there
something you'd like to say?

I'm sorry, Your Honor,
I gotta--

[audience gasps]

Bailiff, call paramedics.

(male)
Sir.

(Pete) Well, I guess
that proves there is no God,

'cause they just lost
the only juror

they could count on.

(paramedic)
Any dizziness?

- Yeah.
- Vomiting?

About a half hour ago.

Does this hurt?
How 'bout this?

[screaming in pain]

(paramedic)
I hope you're not too attached

to your appendix.

[crowd shouting]

Brooke!
Marlene.

It's not looking good in there.

[shouting]

[shouting]

(Judge Stennis) Ms. Marshall,
are you prepared to fulfill

your duties as an alternate?

Yes, I am, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Mr. Endler, next witness.

(Tom) Would you state your name
and experience for the record?

My name is
James Warner Wallace.

I'm a retired homicide detective
from Los Angeles County.

And are you the author of the
book, "Cold Case Christianity"?

(James)
Yes, I am.

Can you share the subtitle of
the book with the court, please?

"A Homicide Detective

Investigates the Claims
of the Gospels."

(Tom)
Would I be correct in saying

that your duties as
a homicide detective

include investigating
cold case homicides?

(James) Yes, that is
and was my expertise.

Don't most of those cases
get solved with DNA evidence?

Objection, leading.

And counsel is
testifying again, Your Honor.

I'll rephrase.

How many of your
cold cases were solved

through the use
of DNA evidence?

None. Not one.

That's often popular on TV,

but our departments
never had the good fortune

of solving a cold case
with DNA.

(Tom) Well, how do most
of these cases get solved?

Often by examining
eyewitness claims,

witness claims that were
made many years earlier,

even though often our
witnesses are now deceased.

(Tom) Forgive my ignorance,
Mr. Wallace,

but how is that possible?

Well, we have a number
of techniques we can use

to test the reliability
of an eyewitness,

including something called
forensic statement analysis.

That's a discipline where
we scrutinize the statements

of eyewitnesses

and looking at what
they choose to minimize,

what they choose to emphasize,
what they omit altogether,

how they expand time
or contract time.

And when we examine these
kinds of eyewitness accounts,

we can usually tell who's lying,
and who's telling the truth,

and even who
the guilty party is.

And did you apply
this skill set anytime

outside of your
official capacity?

Yes, I applied my expertise
to the death of Jesus

at the hands of the Romans,

and I actually looked at
the gospels

as I would any other set
of forensic statements.

Within a matter of months,

I determined
that the four gospels,

written from different
perspectives,

contained the eyewitness
accounts about the life,

ministry, death,
and resurrection of Jesus.

(Tom)And did you consider
that the four accounts

might be part of a conspiracy,

designed to promote belief
in a fledgling faith?

Yeah, you have
to consider conspiracies

when assessing
eyewitness accounts,

but successful conspiracies

typically involve
the fewest number of people.

It's a lot easier for 2 people
to lie and keep a secret

than it is for 20.

And that's really the problem
with the conspiracy theories

related to the apostles
in the 1st century.

There are just
far too many of them

trying to hold
this conspiracy

for far too long
a period of time.

And far worse,

they're experiencing
pressure like no other,

unimaginable pressure.

Every one of these folks
was tortured and died

for what they claimed to see,

and none of them
ever recanted their story.

So, the idea that this is a
conspiracy in the 1st century

is just really unreasonable.

Instead, what
I see in the gospels

is something I call unintended
eyewitness support statement.

(Tom) What's an unintended
eyewitness support statement?

If I can borrow your Bible?

Let me go to
the Gospel of Matthew

for an example of this.

I'll start with a passage

in which Jesus is in front
of Caiaphas at a hearing.

It says here,
"Then they spit in his face

"and struck him
with their fists.

"Others slapped him
and said,

'Prophesy to us, Christ.
Who hit you?"'

Now, that seems like
a very simple request,

given that
the people who hit him

are standing
right in front of him.

This makes no sense.

Why would it be prophecy to be
able to tell you who hit you?

But it's not until you read Luke
that you get an answer to this.

He says, "The men
who were guarding Jesus

"began mocking
and beating him.

"They blindfolded him
and demanded,

'Prophesy, who hit you?"'

S0, now we know why
this was a challenge,

'cause Luke tells us the
thing that Matthew left out,

that he was actually blindfolded
at the time this took place.

This is very common,

this kind of unintentional
eyewitness support

that fills in a detail
that the first witness left out.

After years of scrutinizing
these gospels using the template

that I use to determine
if an eyewitness is reliable,

I concluded that the
four gospels in this book

contained the reliable accounts
of the actual words of Jesus.

And that's to include
the statements

quoted by Ms. Wesley
in her class?

Absolutely.

Thank you, Detective.

Your witness.

Detective Wallace,

I'm not gonna try to match
biblical knowledge with you.

But isn't it true that these
gospel accounts vary widely

in what they say,

that there are
numerous discrepancies

between these accounts?

(James) Absolutely, but that's
exactly what we should expect.

I don't quite understand that.

Well, reliable eyewitness
accounts always differ slightly

in the way
they recall the story.

They're coming to it

from different geographic
perspectives, their history,

even where they are
located in the room.

When I examined the gospels,
I was trying to determine

if these were accurate,
reliable accounts,

in spite of any differences

there might be
between the accounts.

Ah, and as a devout Christian,

you feel you succeeded?

(James)
Ah, Mr. Kane.

I think you misunderstand me.

When I began this study,
I was a devout atheist.

I began examining the gospels
as a committed skeptic,

not as a believer.

You see, I wasn't raised
in a Christian environment,

although I do think I have
an unusually high regard

for the value of evidence.

I'm not a Christian
because I was raised that way

or because I hoped
it would satisfy some need

or accomplish some goal.

I'm simply a Christian
because it's evidentially true.

(Pete)
Motion to strike, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Granted.

Jury's instructed to ignore
Detective Wallace's last remark.

No further questions.

Witness is excused.

(James)
Thank you, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
Mr. Endler, your next witness.

We don't have one, Your Honor.

She didn't do anything wrong;
she was just trying to help me!

Brooke!

Order!
I'll have order!

Young lady,
your youth is no excuse

for disturbing
the sanctity of this court.

But this case is
supposed to be about me.

I'm almost 17 years old;

it's not like I can't
think for myself.

I just don't have
the right to speak.

- Brooke, what are you doing?
- Not unless you are called

as a witness, young lady.

If I put her on the stand,
what am I gonna hear?

That she asked a question
and I answered it.

Your Honor, we'd like to call
Ms. Brooke Thawley to the stand.

Objection, Your Honor!

Ms. Thawley is a minor.

Her parents do not
want her subjected

to the emotional pressure

of testifying against
her own teacher.

Ms. Thawley, are you willing
to testify on your own behalf?

Yes, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
And do you understand

that you will have to answer

all the questions truthfully,

regardless of your feelings,

and that failure to do so
is punishable by law?

Yes, Your Honor.

I'm not afraid
of telling the truth.

I'm only afraid
of not being able to tell it.

N"?

I will allow this witness.

Objection overruled.

(Tom)
Brooke, in class,

who first brought up
the name "Jesus,"

you or Ms. Wesley?

I did.

As part of a question?

Yes.

And at that time,

did you feel like you were
asking a faith-based question?

No, not really.

It just seemed like
Martin Luther King and Jesus

were saying similar things,
so I brought it up.

(Tom)And did you consider
Ms. Wesley's response

to be a reasonable answer
to your question?

Yes.

(Torn) So, if I'm hearing you
correctly,

you asked a question in history
class about a historical figure,

and your history teacher
answered it

in a sensible manner?

Yes.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Ms. Thawley,
do you like Ms. Wesley?

Yes.

(Pete) Would you say she's
your favorite teacher?

Yes, absolutely.

Do you think
Ms. Wesley likes you?

(Tom)
Objection, speculative.

(Pete) Your Honor, speaks to the
state of mind of the witness,

if not Ms. Wesley herself.

(Judge Stennis)
I'm gonna allow it. Overruled.

You may answer the question.

Yes, I think she likes me.

(Pete)
Uh-huh.

Do you think
there's any possibility

that in answering your question,

she may have tried to share
some of the ideas of her faith,

a faith that she holds
most dear?

No, uh,
no, not at that moment.

Not at that moment.

You mean to say that
there were other moments

in which she talked to you
about her faith?

Hmm? Ms. Thawley, please?

(Judge Stennis) You must answer
the question, Ms. Thawley.

Yes, but it was
outside of school

and it was only one time.

Move to strike.
Your Honor, this is irrelevant.

No actions off the school
campus are at issue here.

(Judge Stennis)
Denied.

Mr. Kane seems to have
found a loose thread.

I'm inclined to let him pull it.

See what unravels.

(Pete)
Thank you, Your Honor.

Why didn't you
tell me about this?

You didn't ask,
and I didn't think it mattered.

(Pete) Brooke, you realize that
you have to tell the truth here.

You understand that, correct?

Yes.

(Pete) So, what did you mean
when you said

that you had talks
about faith outside of school?

My brother died in an accident
6 months ago.

Ms. Wesley noticed that
I wasn't doing so well,

so she asked me if everything
was all right after class.

(Pete)
Mm-hmm.

I told her I was fine,

but I went and found her
later on at the coffee shop.

(Pete)
And did Ms. Wesley refer you

to any kind of
psychological counseling?

No.

(Pete)
Did she suggest that perhaps

she wasn't the right person

to be discussing this
with you?

No.

Well, then what
did Ms. Wesley do?

She was really nice.

We talked for a long time

and I could tell
that she really cared.

(Pete)
Mm.

I asked her how she
kept it all together so well,

and she said, "Jesus."

(Pete) So, she's the one
who brought up Jesus?

Did her endorsement
ofJesus

move you to explore
Christianity?

Yes, at first.

But when the Salvation Army came
to pick up my brother's things,

one of the ladies found his
Bible, and she gave it to me.

I didn't even know
that he had one.

(Pete)
Mm.

So, I started reading it,
and once I started,

I realized that
I didn't wanna stop.

That's why.

That's why I came up with the
question that I asked in class.

Now, ifl understand
you correctly,

without Ms. Wesley's
direct involvement,

you never would've asked that
question in the first place,

would you?

I don't know.

(Pete) After all
of your Bible readings,

do you feel now
that you're a believer?

Yes.

(Pete)
Maybe even a Christian?

Yes.

(Pete) At the risk
of seeming redundant,

do you think any of this,
the Bible readings,

the question
about Jesus in class,

the newfound commitment
to Christianity,

is it likely that any of that
would've occurred

without Ms. Wesley's
direct involvement?

No, it wouldn't.

(Pete)
I thank you for your honesty.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis) Mr. Endler,
do you wish to redirect?

(Torn)
No, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
You may step down, Ms. Thawley.

N"?

N"?

(Grace)
Why do they look so angry?

Because they think
we lied to them.

But we didn't.

It doesn't matter.

(Judge Stennis)
This court is adjourned.

[gavelbangs]

(Tom)
I have to prepare you, Grace.

We're gonna lose
this case.

I know.

You were right.

I'm gonna lose everything.

(news reporter) We saw
a very large crowd out here

at the courthouse yesterday,

both in protest and
support of teacher Grace Wesley,

who is on trial for allegedly
proselytizing at the classroom.

Now, in an unexpected
move yesterday,

we saw some of Wesley's
former students

come out to silently demonstrate
their support for their teacher.

[crying]

Oh Father, please
take this from me.

I don't know what to do.

Please don't forsake me.

Please.

[sobbing]

N"?

N"?

[phone ringing]

Hey, Brooke.

(Brooke)
I ruined everything, didn't I?

It's okay,
you don't have to answer.

I know that I did.

I'm not even allowed
to talk to her.

How do I let her know
that I'm sorry

without making things worse?

(Amy)
I can't tell you what to do,

but whatever you do,
just let her know you care.

(Grace) Recently,
when I've been praying,

it's like Jesus isn't letting me
feel his presence.

Usually I can almost
reach out and touch him,

but right now it's like
he's a million miles away.

Honey, you of all people
should realize

when you're going through
something really hard,

the teacher is always quiet
during the test.

[knocking on door]

♪ Oh Lord my God ♪

♪ When I in awesome wonder ♪

♪ Consider all the worlds
thy hands have made ♪

♪ I see the stars ♪

♪ I hear the rolling thunder ♪

♪ Thy power throughout
the universe displayed ♪

♪ Then sings my soul,
my Savior God, to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

♪ Then sings my soul,
my Savior God, to thee ♪

♪ How great thou art ♪

(Mike Huckabee)
First of all,

this trial took
an unexpected turn

when Wesley's counsel
decided they'd try to prove

the existence of Jesus.

Gary, this is kind of
your area of expertise.

How do you convince
the skeptics?

Well, Governor, I employ what
I call the minimal facts method,

which uses only
the historical events

that are so well evidenced

that they're accepted
across the board,

even by skeptical
and non-Christian scholars.

As a result, we--

Now I understand
what it is

you weren't allowed
to talk about.

I wish I still wasn't
allowed to talk about it.

She needs me on thatjury.

Have faith, David.

God's plan is at work.

How'd you get here anyway?

(Jude)
I borrowed your Prius.

It's very nice.

(David)
Don't get too comfortable.

I'm planning a full recovery.

So, Rice, do you believe

that she was proselytizing
to her students?

Governor, not at all.

Jesus Christ was
the most influential person

who ever lived.

How could you ignore
that fact and teach history?

[knocking on door]

I think the real problem is...

(David)
Hey, Martin!

More questions?

I wanted to make sure
that you were okay.

(David)
Yeah, I'm fine.

They're just holding me
over for a little observation.

I'll be released soon.

Something different
aboutyou.

Are you okay?

I should say so.

Yes.

I believe God wants me
to be a minister,

to return to my country
and become a pastor,

just like you.

That's great.

(Jude) There'll be challenges
in your country.

Are you prepared for them?

lam.

I'm proud of you.

Come here.

That's awesome.

(Mike Huckabee)
It's a shocking reality

that Christians are soon
gonna be forced

to choose between
obeying the law of man

or following the Word of God.

I'm Mike Huckabee.

We'll see you next time
on "Point of View."

[chattering and shouting]

N"?

N"?

Hey Brooke, why don't you
go be with Ms. Wesley.

I think we can handle this.

(student) Yeah, seriously,
we've got backup coming.

You're covered.

Go get 'em.

- [chattering continues]
- God's got this.

N"?

Where's Tom?

(bailiff)
All rise.

(Judge Stennis)
Be seated.

Are we missing someone?

Sorry, Your Honor.

My apologies to the court.

(lawyer)
That's unexpected.

He almost looks
like a lawyer.

Your Honor, I have
one final witness to call.

Grace Wesley.

(Judge Stennis)
Ms. Wesley, please

approach the witness stand.

Do I have to?

I'm afraid so.

Your Honor, given the
witness's reluctance to testify,

can I have the court's
permission to treat her

as a hostile witness?

You may.
Proceed at your own peril.

(bailiff) Do you swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth?

I do.

Please be seated.

(Tom) Grace, I want you
to do something for me,

something for everyone
in this courtroom.

I want you to apologize.

I want you to say you're sorry
and that you made a mistake.

Your Honor,
what's going on here?

Do it, Grace.

I can't do that.

(Tom) Why? Why can't you
do that, Grace?

Because I don't believe
I did anything wrong.

Well, as your attorney, I'm
advising you to do it anyway.

To at least pretend
that you're sorry

and throw yourself
on the mercy of the court.

What?

(Grace)
That would be a lie.

So what?

Everyone lies.

Not everyone.

(Tom) Are you looking
to become a martyr?

What in the world
is he doing?

I have no idea.

(Grace)
N0.

Tommy...

(Tom) Then what is it
that you want, Grace?

Tell me. Tell us.

(Grace)
I want--

I want to be able
to tell the truth.

The truth?

Whose truth?

And what truth
are you referring to?

Grace, is there some truth that
you know that no one else knows?

Oh, that's right.

The other night,

didn't you tell me that Jesus
spoke to you personally?

Why are you doing this?

I'm the one asking
the questions, Ms. Wesley.

Did you
or did you not tell me

that Jesus spoke to you
personally?

Yes.

(Tom)
And what did he say?

I'll make it easier for you.

Didn't you say that he
asked you a question?

That was personal.
You weren't supposed to--

(Tom)
I don't care.

The other night, you told me
that Jesus asked you something.

What did he ask you, Grace?

Tell all of us.

I think we deserve to know.

Why are you
doing this to me?

Answer the question.

They won't believe me.

(Tom)
Doesn't matter.

All that matters
is that you believe it.

Tell us, Grace,
under penalty of perjury,

what was the question that God
presented to you personally

that night on campus?

Answer the question.

Answer the question!

He asked,
"Who do you say that I am?"

And what did you answer?

You are the Christ,
the Son of the living God.

(Tom)
Well, there you have it.

Your Honor, I think we've
all heard quite enough.

(Judge Stennis)
Mr. Endler,

are you looking
to change your client's plea?

(Torn)
No, Your Honor.

I say she's innocent
of all wrongdoing.

But I'm asking the jury
to find against her anyway.

I mean, let's, let's face it.

She has the audacity to believe
not only that there is a God,

but that she has a personal
relationship with Him,

which colors everything
that she says and does.

I think it's time
that we stop pretending

that we can trust
a person like this

to serve in a public capacity.

In the name of tolerance and
diversity, I say we destroy her.

(Judge Stennis)
That's enough, Mr. Endler.

Then we can all go
to our graves content,

knowing that we stomped out
the last spark of faith

that was ever exhibited
in the public square.

[gavelbangs]

(Judge Stennis)
That's enough, Mr. Endler.

(Tom) I say we make
an example of her.

Mr. Endler, that's enough.

Let's set a new precedent,

that employment by our
federal government mandates

that you must first denounce
any belief system you have.

Mr. Endler that is enough!
You are out of order.

And if someone slips
through the cracks

and hides their beliefs, then
we arrest them and fine them.

And if they don't pay,
then we seize their property.

And if they resist--

Well, let's not kid ourselves.

Enforcement is always
at the end of a gun.

(Judge Stennis) Mr. Endler,
you are out of order.

I charge you with contempt!

(Tom)
I accept the charge,

because I have nothing but
contempt for these proceedings.

If we're going to insist that
a Christian's right to believe

is subordinate
to all other rights,

then it's not a right.

Somebody is always
going to be offended.

Two thousand years of
human history proves that.

So, I say we get on with it.

Cite the law, charge the jury,
and send them off to deliberate.

So be it!

Now, we are gonna bypass
the usual closing arguments,

unless Mr. Kane finds the need
to further address the jury.

No, Your Honor.

We can ask nothing more.

(Judge Stennis) My instructions
to you are simple.

Uphold the law without unfairly
prejudicing your decision

or risking a mistrial on appeal.

Now, I believe I can safely say
that the respondent's counsel

has dared you to convict
his own client.

The jury will now be
dismissed for deliberation.

We are adjourned.

She hasn't got a prayer.

Let's go.

Remind me to send him
a thank-you note.

[crying]

N"?

N"?

N"?

N"?

[phone ringing]

[cheering]

(Michael) Thank you so much.
Thank you, guys.

Thanks for coming out.

Hey, right now on the phone,

a friend of mine named Amy
is on the line,

and she's calling about a woman
who's on trial for her faith.

This woman has risked
everything for Jesus.

Amy's asked me to pray
for this woman.

Will you guys join me?

Lord, we know that
to risk anything for you

is a complete honor
with eternal rewards.

But if it's within your will,

can you please restore
this woman's hope

and make her faith
an example to all of us?

Lord, show your power
to a fallen world.

We know you have the power
to do anything.

So, we ask you right now, crying
out as the body of Christ,

move those hearts
of those people,

both the judge and the jury,

to let them know the
beauty of your majesty.

And we all said amen.

Amen.

[cheering]

[phone ringing]

N"?

N"?

N"?

(Judge Stennis) Ladies
and gentlemen of the jury,

have you reached a decision?

We have, Your Honor.

(Judge Stennis)
And how do you find?

We, the jury, find in favor
of Grace Wesley.

[cheering]

N"?

(Judge Stennis)
We are adjourned.

Nice shoes.

N"?

N"?

N"?

Grace, I'm sorry.

I couldn't tell you.

It had to come
as a surprise,

otherwise the jury wouldn't have
been swayed by your reactions.

So, you did have a plan.

No, you did.

You stood up
for what you believed in

and you held on
to your faith.

I don't know anybody
that would have done that.

They were hoping to
make an example of you,

but instead you became
an inspiration.

We did it!

Hey, you've kept
quiet long enough.

Why don't you go
share the good news?

Hey, thank you.

Yeah.

N"?

[Newsboys singing "Guilty"]

♪ When did it become
breaking a rule ♪

♪ To say your name out
loud in school ♪

♪ When your name's the only one
that sets us free ♪

♪ When did it become incorrect ♪

♪ To speak the truth
about life and death ♪

♪ When your life
gave us all eternity ♪

♪ Even if it gets me convicted ♪

♪ I'll be on my knees
with my hands lifted ♪

God's not dead!

♪ If serving you's
against the law of man ♪

♪ If living out my faith
in you is banned ♪

♪ Then I'll stand
right before the jury ♪

♪ If saying I believe
is out of line ♪

♪ If it's just cause
I'm gonna give my life ♪

♪ To show the world
the love that fills me ♪

♪ Then I want to be guilty ♪

(news reporter) A case
that was turning for the worse

was concluded with
a powerful happy ending

for Ms. Grace Wesley.

Live outside the courthouse
here in Hope Springs.

Father. You did it!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

God is good.

(news reporter)
The verdict is in.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait.
I want to hear this.

In the case
of Thawley v. Wesley,

they have ruled in favor
of Grace Wesley.

The crowd is in full celebration
here in Hope Springs.

So are you gonna
say it, or should I?

Say what?

God is good.

All the time.

And all the time.

God is good.

Amen, brother.

N"?

♪ Show the world
the love that fills me ♪

♪ Love that fills me ♪

♪ Then I want to be guilty
by association ♪

♪ Guilty of being a voice
proclaiming your ways ♪

♪ Your truth, your life ♪

♪ I'll pay the price
to be your light ♪

I'll get to work
on the appeal.

Don't bother.

If we appeal and lose,
it'll set a precedent.

I don't want that.

I don't understand
how we lost this.

He outsmarted us.

He played our role
in attacking Wesley.

He made the jury
hate everyone, but her.

Not to mention he proved
the existence of Jesus Christ.

[cheering]

God's not dead! He's surely
alive!

God's not dead!
He's surely alive!

God's not dead! He's surely
alive!

God's not dead!
He's surely alive!

God's not dead! He's surely
alive!

God's not dead!
He's surely alive!

God's not dead! He's surely
alive!

♪ My God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ He's roaring ♪

♪ He's roaring... ♪

♪ He's roaring like a lion ♪

♪ Let hope arise
and make the darkness hide ♪

♪ My faith is dead,
I need a resurrection somehow ♪

♪ Now I'm lost in your freedom ♪

♪ In this world, I'll overcome ♪

♪ My God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ My God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ God's not dead,
he's surely alive ♪

♪ He's living on the inside,
roaring like a lion ♪

♪ He's roaring... ♪

♪ He's roaring ♪

♪ He's roaring like a lion ♪

♪ He's roaring... ♪

♪ He's roaring ♪

♪ He's roaring like a lion ♪

♪ He's roaring
like a lion. ♪

N"?

[Hayley Orrantia singing
"Silence You"]

♪ You're not everybody's
expectations ♪

♪ You're not just
the cards you're dealt ♪

♪ You aren't a product
of your generation ♪

♪ You are what you
make yourself ♪

♪ Take all that
you're afraid to say ♪

♪ Post it up
and put it on display ♪

♪ You don't have to
play nice now ♪

♪ Stay held down, shut up,
and keep it quiet ♪

♪ Don't have to take the easy
way out, follow the in-crowd ♪

♪ Stand up and make a riot ♪

♪ Nothing's gonna
change if you won't ♪

♪ No, nothing's gonna
change if you don't ♪

♪ It'll be the hardest thing
you'll ever have to do ♪

♪ But don't let them
silence you ♪

N"?

♪ When you look back
on this moment ♪

♪ You'll have wished
you'd spoken your mind ♪

♪ Step up to the plate
and own it ♪

♪ Instead of blending
in the sidelines ♪

♪ Take all that
you're afraid to be ♪

♪ Light it up
for everyone to see ♪

♪ You don't have to
play nice now ♪

♪ Stay held down, shut up,
and keep it quiet ♪

♪ Don't have to take the easy
way out, follow the in-crowd ♪

♪ Stand up and make a riot ♪

♪ Nothing's gonna
change if you won't ♪

♪ No, nothing's gonna
change if you don't ♪

♪ It'll be the hardest thing
you'll ever have to do ♪

♪ But don't let them
silence you ♪

♪ And when we're gone,
our words live on ♪

♪ So, don't let them silence,
silence ♪

♪ No, you won't ♪

♪ You don't have to
play nice now ♪

♪ Stay held down, shut up,
and keep it quiet ♪

♪ Don't have to take the easy
way out, follow the in-crowd ♪

♪ Stand up and make a riot ♪

♪ Nothing's gonna
change if you won't ♪

♪ No, nothing's gonna
change if you don't ♪

♪ It'll be the hardest thing
you'll ever have to do ♪

♪ But don't let them
silence you ♪

♪ No, don't let them
silence you. ♪

(David) You know I'm gonna
need my keys back.

(Jude)
I know.

(David) Two days of ice chips.
I'm starving.

[chuckling]

I'm hungry as well, David.

How about I take you
for a nice tuna melt?

(officer)
David Hill?

Yes?

You're under arrest.

For what?

(officer)
Contempt of court.

You failed to produce your
sermons upon court order.

Please put your hands
behind your back.

(Jude)
Please be gentle.

He has just been released
from the hospital.

I don't understand.

What is he being accused of?

(officer) You have the right
to remain silent.

Anything you say can and will
be used against you

in a court of law.
You have a right to an attorney.

If you cannot afford
an attorney,

one will be provided for you.

Do you understand the rights
I have just read to you?

(David)
Yes.

Sorry about this, Pastor.

It's okay.

Looks like I'm gonna
need you to fill in for me

a little while longer.

Of course, David,
anything you need.

What do we do now?

Same as always, Martin.

We pray, in faith.