02x18 - Brother Hanson & the Miracle of Renner's Pond

[bunniefuu]

♪ We never thought of finding ♪

♪ The place where we belong ♪

♪ Don't have to stand alone ♪

♪ We'll never let you fall ♪

♪ Don't need permission ♪

♪ To decide what you believe ♪

♪ Whoo! ♪

♪ I said jump! ♪

♪ Down on jump street ♪

♪ I said jump! ♪

♪ Down on jump street ♪

♪ Your friends will be there ♪

♪ When your back is
to the wall ♪

♪ You'll find you need us ♪

♪ 'Cause there's no one else
to call ♪

♪ When it looks hopeless ♪

♪ A decision's what you need ♪

♪ You better be ready to ♪

♪ Be ready to ♪

♪ Jump! ♪

♪ Jump street! ♪

If somebody barbecued
biology books in my school

They'd have been voted
class president.

You find something funny about
books being b*rned, hanson?

No, but it ain't
like somebody o.d.'D.

Somebody doesn't always
have to o.d., Hanson.

I didn't say they did.

Fine.

Fine.

You get a chance
to look at the file?

Yes.

Larchmont high.

On the edge of the county.

No drug problems.

Girls still wear skirts.

Their favorite movie
was footloose.

And % fundamentalist.

So what's the big stink?

There's a science teacher
over there

Who wants to teach creationism.

He might be stirring
things up.

How well do you know the bible,
hanson?

I went to sunday school
till I was .

Good. Study up.

You'll go in as a thumper.

Get next to whoever is behind
the book burning.

Sure.

, Years.

According to genesis

That's how long ago
god created the earth.

A few days later, he created
property taxes.

What about
the rock formations

They found in greenland?

I've read they're almost
four billion years old.

It's science
fiction, randy.

They've also found
some human fossils

That go back
two million years.

h*m* habilis.

Maybe you're the h*m*.

Josh.

Maybe the bible's got typos.

Read it and find out.

Yeah.

I'm just asking
a question.

And it's
a good one.

We have here two theorems
diametrically opposed--

The bible and darwin's theory
of evolution.

If one stands,
the other falls.

Principal garner.

Miss wallace.

Welcome.

Carry on, jim.

So what about
those rocks?

Randy, ask yourself this.

How can anyone know,
with certainty

That any rock is
four billion years old?

How do they do it?

Geologists measure the rate
of radioactive decay

In a rock's
isotopic
structure.

You think I'm
making this up?

Geologists make up the
actual ages of the rocks

Because they're all based
on the assumption

Of evolution.

On the contrary.

Radioactive half-life
measurement is only one method

Used to test the earth's age
and history.

Scientists can check it

Against stratified
earth layers

Or the hydrogen-helium ratio
of the sun.

What you still have are theories
supporting other theories.

Mr. Crawford.

Evolutionary theory has
withstood a hundred years

Of close scrutiny by scientists
around the world.

It's as much
a fact of life

As gravity.

Look at these
children.

You deny them the joy
of knowing

That they were created
by almighty god...

I can't allow this
to continue.

...created on the sixth day,
in his image

Male and female,
and god blessed them.

Mr. Crawford,
that's enough.

And god saw
everything

He had made, and,
behold, it was good.

Jim!

Anyone who believes in evolution
doesn't need a teacher.

They need
a bible.

That will be
all for today.

Mr. Crawford,
thank you.

Miss wallace.

Where are you
taking him?

Back to the garden
of eden.

Hey.

Come on.

Let go.

Let him go.

Jim, you want to teach
creation, please take a job at a
parochial school.

It's the students here who need
the elightment.

That's not the point.

I've got to tell ya,
you're going to push
yourself out the door.

The school board been all over
me after the biology books.

I was as appalled by
the act as you were.

I know, but I didn't make a
point of saying the text was a
thr*at to mankind.

Don't trivialize my opinons.
I said it was factually
misleading.

And you knew the effect
that would have.

I do not condone
the burning of books.

But you may well
have insipred it.

Teaching creation
is against the law.

I don't have to agree,
but I have to uphold it.

What can I do?

How can I teach
what I don't believe?

The same way that I can
go against my heart

And ask you to.

You need to find a way.

Don't make me suspend you.

The relationship I have
with my students

Is something I hold very dear.

It's why I teach.

Hi.

How are you doing?

You're new here,
aren't you?

Yeah.

I saw you stand up to the
principal in biology class.

That was pretty brave.

I don't need nobody shoving
monkey science down my throat.

"Where two or three are gathered
together in my name

There am I
in the midst of them."

What's your name?

Cameron crawford.

Tom halstrom.

Crawford.

You related to...

He's my father.

I thought it was real cool
the way your father

Stood up to mr.
Garner today.

He's speaking at the
church meeting tonight.

Are you going to go?

My father would drag me there
even if I didn't want to.

How about you, tom?

Oh, yes.

Wouldn't miss it.

Miracles don't come very often.

Most of us never witness one.

We accept the truth
of god's miracles

Not with our eyes but with
the faith in our hearts.

But our town is different.

God has let us see
the miracle of his kindness.

A lot of you have come
from different churches

To rejoice in our miracle.

I'll ask brother james
and his son cameron

To step up.

Every day, every man, woman
and child among us

Must make compromises.

Some of them are reasonable.

They help us to get along
with our fellow man.

Some are not so reasonable.

But we say to ourselves

It keeps the peace.

So be it.

And sometimes,
to keep the peace

We compromise the word of god.

Never, brother.

Sad but true, brother.

But what happens when we
compromise god's truth?

Hell, brother.

Don't speak for god, brother.

He bends over backwards to keep
us away from those fires.

It was my doing.

I was in my personal hell
because I compromised hisword.

And god gave me

A miracle to open my eyes.

Over the christmas holidays

My son, cameron

Was skating on renner's pond
when the ice broke open

And swallowed him up.

Minutes, my boy
was trapped beneath the ice.

Before they pulled him out,
deader

Than the blood below my feet.

I have here

This signed medical report
that shows him d.o.a.--

Dead on arrival--

At county hospital.

I would like to tell you

That I prayed to the lord
to save my son.

But I knew you couldn't bring
back the dead.

You don't know
everything, brother.

I certainly don't.

Because for a moment I forgot
about a miracle like this

That happened on calvary.

And just like the resurrection

The lord showed to me only he
has the power to create life.

And at that moment

My little boy opened his eyes
and came back to me.

Because only god can create
life.

( Amens and applause )

So I have pledged to correct
this abomination of god's truth

Called evolution...

And teach the true story
of creation to my students.

( Amens and applause )

Crawford:
where you from, tom?

Jacksonville, florida.

Nice part
of the country.

Yes, it is.

You belong to any church
organizations there?

Tuesday evening bible study
and the church sports league.

Join our church league.

Sounds good.

Let me ask
you something.

In that bible study group

What translation
of the scriptures
did you read?

King james.

Good.

Can I ask you a question,
mr. Crawford?

Please.

Why won't they teach us
the bible in school?

That's a good question.

I think it has to do with fear.

Man knows his heart
can play tricks on him.

So he's learned
not to trust his feelings.

He needs facts
that can be proven

Without the danger
of a faulty heart.

Not everyone knows

Believing in the lord
requires faith.

We witness god's miracles

Yet talk ourselves
out of believing.

People turn from the bible

Because god's words can
only be proven in the heart.

But evolution, see...

They believe that can be proven
in the mind.

Personally, I believe
it's been proven

With another part
of the anatomy.

Your father's a good man.

He's a great man.

He's got a tough fight
on his hands.

A lot of people don't want
the church in school.

A lot of people do.

I'd like to have been
with those guys

Who b*rned the monkey books.

Burning books is wrong.

It keeps the devil
out of school.

Just ask your dad.

He said those vandals
should be thrown in jail.

Take a look.

Is that cindy?

Cameron:
yeah.

I used to walk by here
all the time.

Man, she's good-looking.

She was giving you
the big eyeball.

Me? No, she liked you.

Oh, no, no, no.

It was you.

Cameron:
I never even talked
to her before today.

I used to walk by here
every night

Just to watch her.

Before today I didn't
think she knew my name.

Hanson:
she knows it now.

Now that I'm a miracle boy.

What was it like?

When I was under the ice

And everything was whooshing
and crazy all around me

I kept thinking I'm just a baby
and I've never done anything.

Then that ice water started
numbing me.

Everything slowed down.

I started thinking about things
I wanted to do.

Then I was dead...

And none of it mattered.

I could see the light.

And it felt good and warm
to be in the light.

Then god sent me back.

I didn't want to go.

But it's part of god's plan

So I accept it.

How do you know it was
god's plan?

At first I kept asking myself

Why would god choose me?

I wasn't happy about it.

But when people saw that god
brought me back from the dead

They started
turning back
to the lord.

My father told me I couldn't
shirk the responsibility

Of being god's messenger.

When my father d*ed

All I kept thinking was
I want to get inside him.

I want to help
him through it.

I wanted to know
if he was scared

Or in pain.

I wanted god or somebody
to tell me why--

To make sense
of it for me.

God never spoke.

God can speak to you now, tom...

Through me.

Because I've been dead
and god sent me back.

When I entered light

I was glowing in god's love.

There was no pain.

No sadness.

I know your father
felt that, too.

What have you got?

Hanson:
nothing.

Nothing?

I got a school
full of kids

Who don't want
to be taught evolution

And a teacher who doesn't
want to teach it.

We knew that going in, hanson.

Can I ask you a question?

You know, uh...

Kind of on the personal side?

You can ask.

Do you believe in god?

Adam and eve and all that stuff?

I believe in god.

Most of the time.

I also believe
human life evolved

Like darwin said it did.

All crawford wants is to teach
what he believes.

Seems like it should be okay.

It's out of your hands, hanson.

Unless you want to repetition
the supreme court.

What brought all this on?

I don't know...
Cameron, I guess.

He's this, uh... Miracle boy.

Miracle boy?

He came back from the dead.

Isn't that a miracle?

What do you think?

Could be a miracle.

Could be some very good doctors.

Maybe it just wasn't his time.

But he came back.

When was the last time
you met someone who was
already dead once.

I now this sounds crazy but
ever since my dad d*ed

I've been cursing to god one
mintue and begging him the next,
just to tell me he was okay.

And then all of a sudden, this
kid comes back from the dead
and tells me my dad is okay.

And I kind of belive him.

Maybe you found religion.

Maybe.

Just remeber, you're in there
to find an arsonist.

( Bell rings )

Well, uh...

As soon as
principal garner

And miss wallace
get settled

We can begin.

Miss wallace, I feel
I owe you an apology.

You do?

Yes, I realize teaching
evolution is the law

And I'll do it.

I brought a visual aid.

Class...

I'd like you to meet
your uncle harry.

( Laughter )

The way darwin
had it figured

Man's origins go back
to the tree shrew

Some million years ago.

Uncle harry,
and then man

Developed the upright
position by grasping

Tree trunks with the fore
and hind limbs.

Excuse me.

Is this necessary, jim?

You're not ashamed
of your heritage

Are you, mr. Garner?

Garner:
why don't you
come with me?

You had to do it, didn't you?

I feel I have to.

Moral decay, dr*gs, alcohol...

These tragedies stem
from our children

Growing up without faith
in god or themselves.

What's your solution?

Make it mandatory that students

Believe in your god?

If that's what it takes.

Somebody's got
to save these kids.

Make things right for them.

Jim, you are a gifted teacher.

Teach.

I tell you what.

If you would like to debate

In an open forum
on the scientific merits

Of creationism and evolution

I'd welcome it.

Any time.

That is not the issue.

It's against the law
to teach religion
in public schools.

If you insist
on teaching creationism

I'll remove you
from your teaching post.

There's a p.t.a. Meeting
tonight.

I can guarantee that won't
be their attitude.

If I return you
to your classroom

Are you going to teach
evolution?

I can only teach
what I can believe.

Then you're suspended, jim.

Well, we'll see who has his job
in the end, jack.

Man:
you yanked mr. Crawford
out of class.

I want to know
why the best teacher

In this damned school

Got pulled
from class and fired.

For illegally
teaching the bible

To those
who don't want it.

Calm down.

Yes...

Mr. Crawford was removed

But he wasn't fired.

He's temporarily suspended

Pending a hearing
with the board of education.

How come it took three months
to fix the heater

But you got
new science books

In three days?

I have to have evolution
shoved down my son's throat.

Evolutionary theory
can co-exist with god.

Why are you afraid
of accepting...?

Accept nothing.

I do not want my children
thinking they are apes.

Anybody who says

God didn't create
heaven and earth is crazy.

Why don't you
keep heaven

And leave earth for us?

Biological origins play
a very small part

In the science curriculum.

Frankly, I prefer the creation
of genesis

So I teach it
to my children
at home.

Mr. Garner?

Would you mind if I spoke
a few words?

Okay, jim, but please...

Keep it peaceful.

For those of you
who don't know him

This is
mr. James crawford.

How are you
this evening?

Why don't you
stick to science?

I plan to.

But I have no intentions

Of teaching your
children atheism.

We've discussed this already.

We did, but even you
have to admit god's will

Holds the right
over school policy.

It's illegal,
mr. Crawford.

You're breaking
the law.

We'll change the law.

With god's help, we'll bring
the almighty back

Into the classroom.

Not on my taxes.

The children must be served.

I think it's only fitting
that we quiet our angry voices

And let the wisdom
of the child speak.

Yeah, let him speak.

I'd like to ask my son cameron

To stand up

And speak his mind.

( Sprinkling of applause )

I had another life before god
took me away.

Now that I'm back from the dead,
I'm different.

I'm not like
the other kids in school.

So I shouldn't
speak for them.

But I have a new friend--

Someone who just moved here.

I know the lord wants
to hear from him.

Tom halstrom?

Tom?

Hi. I'm new here.

Today's my first day
in mr. Crawford's class.

I liked what he had to say.

I never seen no miracle before,
but you got one in this town.

( Amens )

I say if god's
given us a message

We better hear it.

I didn't come here to listen
to brother halstrom testify.

I want to know who b*rned
the new science textbooks.

I did.

Man:
no, I did.

No, I did.

I did.

I did.
I did.

Woman:
I was there, too.

So was i.

It was me.

I was there.

So was i.

I did it.

( Faint noise downstairs )

( Glass shattering )

( Bell rings )

I'm sorry I'm late.

I had some...

Where is everyone
today?

There are some notes
on your desk.

Take your seat.

I came to give you this.

You're all being kept
out of class by your parents.

It's just
until the next chapter.

Great.

So this is how you're taught
to resolve conflicts.

You just ignore it
and pray to god it goes away.

Josh, you're excused.

Let's get into how accurate
ancient fossil records are.

Hi.

Hi.

You're protesting
biology class, too?

Well, my dad is.

Me and shannon thought
maybe you and tom

Might want to come over
to my house tonight

And we could study
the bible together.

You really want
to do that?

Sure.

I want you
to teach me.

Tonight.

Yeah, sure.

I'll find tom
and see if he can go.

It will be great.

Miss wallace:
how come you don't have a note?

I'm just here to learn.

Nobody says I got
to believe it, right?

Thank you.

Do you believe in god?

Tom, scientists
can believe in god

Every bit as passionately
as you

Or mr. Crawford,
or the pope.

The two are not
mutually exclusive.

Why don't you tell people that?

Because I shouldn't have
to state religious beliefs

To keep monkeys out of my house.

You got a point.

Penhall:
hallelujah,
brothers and sisters.

What if I could prove it to you

That beyond a shadow
of a doubt...

That god really existed?

How can you prove it?

I can prove it.

He will come by my house?
Call me?

I can prove it.

Prove it.

Okay. When I was little

I was alone in the bathroom.

I don't want to hear this.

There's a mirror in front of me
and behind me.

I'm looking at the reflection

Of the reflection
of the reflection.

I counted

To see how many
there are.

When I get to, like,
the rd reflection

Way in the back

I see this little guy

And he's waving back
at me.

It's the truth.

Thank you, doug.

You've helped me tremendously.

Hanson!

I got another story.

Go away.

More truths doug?

Hey, I'm on a mission from god.

You call this a report?

B&e, arson.

Destruction
of public property.

Vandalism.

Harassment.

No suspects.

It was a weird situation.

It looks clear to me.

You want
me to lie?

I want you
to make an arrest.

We may need
a lot of backup.

What's that mean?

The town confessed.

The town?

Yes.

They all stood up

And any of them
could have done it.

Are you trying to solve
this case, hanson?

Yes.

Can I ask you a question?

Sure.

Most of this community
believes in creation.

Shouldn't
they decide

What they want to teach?

Even the president wants prayer
back in school.

They want the laws changed,
fine

But they won't to do it
by burning books

Nor with mob
fanaticism.

You got a point.

I know you're having
a hard time, hanson.

Keep at it.

( Doorbell )

I'm not walking
into an ambush, am i?

Come on.

This is my fault.

I apologize.

Let me talk straight through
without stopping.

I know-- get off
the soap box...

Straight through.

Half your students
were out today.

Besides what's happened
to my home...

I'll find out who...

Straight through, jim.

Fights are breaking out.

Parents are threatening
each other.

No one is learning.

All because of a two-week
section of biology.

No.

No, this goes far
beyond one single issue.

The town's behind me.

I came from a meeting.

We'll boycott stores
carrying p*rn.

Let's add censorship
to the list.

We'll vote out board
members who oppose us.

Will of the people?

We owe the children
that much

And I owe god at least
this much.

Jim...

What happened to you?

I was cheating my family
and myself and god.

God took my
son from me

To get me
on the path.

You can't know
what that was like.

( Knocking )

Come on in.

Hi, guys.

You want
some drinks?

Some potato chips?

I'll have
some soda.

You sure you don't want
something stronger, cameron?

How about you, tom?

I'll have the same,
thanks.

Where are
your parents?

They're at the movies.

They'll be back.

I told them you were coming
for bible study.

I brought my bible.

Good, let me see it.

My father gave me
a different bible.

I'd like you to see it.

Come on upstairs.

It's by
my bed.

We'll be right back.

I thought it was cool
when you spoke

In front of those
people the other night.

I was very nervous.

You know what--

Cindy's sister is
away at college.

You want to see
her room?

It's real private.

I'd like to, but I'm
in training for a fight.

Who are you fighting?

Satan.

What's your favorite
bible story?

Daniel in the lion's den.

I like samson and delilah.

There are so many
love stories in the bible.

It's to ward us away

From temptation.

Haven't you ever been tempted?

I've seen you walk by my window
times in one night

Watching me get ready for bed.

I did not.

It's okay.

I like it.

You do?

Not with everybody.

But you're special.

You came back
from the dead.

That kind of makes you
like jesus.

It wouldn't be wrong for you
to touch me, would it?

What's wrong?

You haven't said a word.

My hand's dirty.

What? Your hand's
clean as a whistle.

I never touched
a girl before.

How can I be
a vessel of the lord

When I'm unclean?

Cameron, it's okay.

I've offended god.

He brought me back to teach
the path of righteousness

And I've descended into hell.

You're only human.

You didn't do wrong.

I've betrayed the lord.

"A whip for the horse

A bridle for the ass,
and a rod for the fool's back!"

"Be ye kind
one to another

Tender-hearted

Forgiving one another

Even as god hath
forgiven you."

The water's freezing.

"And whosoever toucheth her bed

"Shall wash his clothes

"And bathe himself in water

And be unclean until the even."

It will be tough

But we've made
a good start.

We'll do it.

In two hours, the whole
town will be there.

Come in.

Hi, mr. Crawford.

Cameron's upstairs.

I came
to see you.

Okay.

Should we go
into the study?

Sure.

This thing has
gone too far.

What do
you mean?

Everybody's using cameron
as a marching song.

It's not fair.

Maybe you're too
young to understand.

What's happening here is good.

Cameron has
inspired people

To fight
for the truth.

What about cameron's truth?

I'm not following you.

He's .

He should be thinking about
girls and playing baseball--

Not leading
some crusade.

This might be difficult
for a boy your age

But god has a bigger
plan for my son.

Does he, or do you?

That's not a very
fair thing to say to me.

You're using him.

Maybe when you're
a little older...

I'm years old.

I see.

Exactly what is your business
here, officer... Hanson?

I'm here as
cameron's friend.

Last night he was
baptizing himself

Because he felt unclean
for touching a girl.

He's not unclean,
he's normal!

Do you see what
you're doing to him?

I think you
better leave.

I'd like to see cameron.

I wish you wouldn't.

He's still my friend.

Oh, my god!

What are you doing?

You crazy?

You cannot know
the mysteries of god.

I have seen them.

This has to stop!

I have to purify myself
for the rapture.

No! They're using you.

Don't do this.

It's god's will.

That's why he
made the miracle.

It's happened before.

It never happened!

Yes, it has!

Enjoy being alive.

You don't have to be a saint.

I want you to leave.

Look at his hand.

I said get out!

We've been told teaching
the word of god is illegal.

Woman:
it is against the law.

Not god's law.

Crawford:
she's right.

We've got to change the law.

The president of the united
states wants it changed.

Righteous americans
stand behind him.

We can repetition
the supreme court

And join the fight
to revoke this heresy.

It will take years.

By then my children
will think they're monkeys.

We've got to do something now.

Our children
need jesus, too.

We can't turn our backs
on our own children

While waiting to revoke
an immoral and unjust law.

This nation
was founded by men

Willing to face
that injustice

At personal peril.

I believe god

Sent us this miracle

To give us courage
to fight for the bible.

We must fight!

Our children can go
into the school library

And check out this book

Which teaches them
to lie, cheat

Back talk and curse

But you won't find one copy
of the bible in that library.

We need the bible.

We should burn the rest
of those blasphemous books.

Yeah!

Over my dead body.

That can be arranged.

Stop it!

That's enough.

You people can be
arrested for this.

Look, I don't know
whether it's right or wrong

To teach religion in schools

But right now you can't
because it's against the law.

So is burning books.

Who do you think you are?

I'm a police officer.

I've been undercover

To stop the burning of books.

This stops now!

We got a miracle that says
different, judas goat!

There was no miracle.

You're talking blasphemy,
officer.

The lord sent us a miracle

To prove he's
the creator of life.

The lord told you that?

The proof is before us.

The miracle was
your sign from god?

Absolutely.

What made it a miracle?

He raised my son from the dead.

And that doesn't happen often?

When's the last time
god raised the dead?

So god doesn't throw
these miracles around?

It tends to cheapen them.

A one-in-a-million chance?

One in a billion!

Hate to disappoint you

But god's done it
three times this winter.

Liar!

Got the proof
right here.

One schoolboy
in texas

Pulled from a frozen river--

Dead for minutes.

Another baby
in virginia

Pulled dead from
a swimming pool.

Both are alive today.

That has nothing
to do with this.

It's a miracle

But a miracle of science.

Jim, you're
a scientist.

You know this.

These children
experienced hypothermia.

Their organs
were partially frozen.

The doctors revived them.

No!

Don't believe me,
just read!

There are thousands
of miracles for all of us.

The lord has sent us a miracle.

My son is the proof.

Cameron:
I am the miracle
and the light.

Woman:
don't jump.

Cameron:
I came back once before

And can do it again.

Cameron!

I have the message.

Don't turn your backs.

Tell him he's not a miracle.

Hanson:
tell him.

Cameron, come down.

You don't have
to prove anything.

Come down.

Don't.

I'm not afraid.

Hanson:
tell him,
crawford.

I'm innocent before thee,
o king.

Tell him he has a
right to be a person

Not your
holy symbol.

It's okay
to be himself.

Please, son.

God chose me to carry the word.

Don't let him fall.

He doesn't have
to be a miracle.

Cameron, listen--

I was wrong.

God picked me.

I was wrong.

Don't say that.

Cameron, please,
come down.

I need you
to be my son.

Cameron, please.

This is the history
of the heavens and earth

When they were created

In the day the lord god
made the earth

And the heavens

Before any plant of the field
was in the ground

And before any herb
of the field had grown.

For the lord god had not caused
it to rain on the earth

And there was no man
to till the ground.

But a mist went up
from the earth

And watered the whole face
of the ground.

And the lord god formed man
of the dust of the ground

And breathed into his nostrils
the breath of life

And man became a living being.