God's Not Dead 2 (2016)

Melissa Joan Hart: Grace Wesley

Photos 

Quotes 

• Grace Wesley : I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.

  [from trailer] 

• Grace Wesley : 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... but right now it's like... it's like He's a million miles away.

  Walter Wesley : Honey, you of all people should realize when you're going through something really hard, the teacher is always quiet during the test.

• Brooke Thawley : You never let anything get to you. How do you do that?

  Grace Wesley : Jesus.

• Grace Wesley : I am not going to be afraid to say the name Jesus.

• Walter Wesley : Love you.

  Grace Wesley : I love you better.

  Walter Wesley : Love you first.

  Grace Wesley : That's unfair.

  [Walter chuckles] 

  Walter Wesley : Gotcha!

• Tom Endler : [after his harsh line of questioning her on the stand]  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.

  Grace Wesley : So, you did have a plan.

  Tom Endler : 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.

• Judge Stennis : Young lady, your youth is no excuse for disturbing the sanctity of this court.

  Brooke Thawley : 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.

  Catherine Thawley : Brooke, what are you doing?

  Judge Stennis : Not unless you are called as a witness, young lady.

  Tom Endler : [quietly to Grace]  If I put her on the stand, what am I gonna hear?

  Grace Wesley : That she asked a question and I answered it.

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

  Pete Kane : 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.

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

  Brooke Thawley : 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?

  Brooke Thawley : Yes, Your Honor. I'm not afraid of telling the truth. I'm only afraid of not being able to tell it.

• Principal Kinney : Grace, I just have to hear it from you. Did this happen?

  Grace Wesley : 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.

• Walter Wesley : 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.

  Grace Wesley : [sarcastic]  I'll work on that.

  Walter Wesley : Okay. You know, I-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 Wesley : Not after your last cholesterol test. Besides, I have some papers I have to grade before the staff meeting.

  Walter Wesley : I'm 81 years old, and bacon is not gonna be what kills me.

  Grace Wesley : Nice try. You're 82.

• Superintendent 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.

  Grace Wesley : Should I have a lawyer, too?

  Superintendent Jim Powell : Oh, I don't see the need for that. Ms. Rizzo is present as your union representation.

  Grace Wesley : Okay.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : 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.

  Grace Wesley : Yes, that's correct.

  Superintendent Jim Powell : And your answer incorporated specific detailed reference to those teachings that included Scripture itself, the words of Jesus.

  Grace Wesley : Yes.

  Mrs. Rizzo : What were you thinkin', Grace?

  Superintendent Jim Powell : Do you believe your response was in line with district policy?

  Grace Wesley : Yes.

  School Attorney : As well as in compliance with state and federal guidelines?

  Grace Wesley : Yes, sir.

  School Attorney : Well, Ms. Wesley, unfortunately for you, I'm fairly certain the school board will disagree.

• Grace Wesley : [bringing Walter breakfast in bed]  Good morning!

  Walter Wesley : Morning, Grace. I keep telling you, you don't have to keep doing this.

  Grace Wesley : Oh, are you kidding? This is the best part of my day, Gramps.

• Grace Wesley : So, uh, have you defended many teachers in disciplinary matters?

  Tom Endler : Nope, you're my first. Just hired on from the public defender's office.

  Grace Wesley : Criminal law? No offense, but I-I'm not a criminal.

  Tom Endler : Don't be so sure of that. Your kind of case makes everybody uncomfortable. School boards, teachers, parents. It makes them feel... yucky.

  Grace Wesley : Yucky? Is that a technical legal term?

  Tom Endler : You got a better word for it?

• Tom Endler : 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.

  Grace Wesley : I can't do that.

  Tom Endler : Why?

  Grace Wesley : I gave an honest answer to a student's legitimate question in history.

  Tom Endler : Grace. Grace, you don't wanna do this. It's the wrong decision.

  Grace Wesley : Is it?

• Walter Wesley : Prayer always seems to be the last thing we do when it should be the first. Now, how 'bout some more popcorn?

  Grace Wesley : With a glycemic index of 100, not a chance.

  Walter Wesley : I swear, Grace, if you don't start feeding me better, I'm gonna leave you for a nursing home.

• Mrs. Rizzo : Hey, what do you call a teacher with no students?

  First Teacher : Unemployed.

  Frazzled Teacher : I got it, how about ecstatic?

  Mrs. Rizzo : You're both right. Retired! Only 36 days to go!

  Grace Wesley : You know you're gonna miss the kids when you're gone, Rizzo.

  Mrs. Rizzo : No, Grace. That's sweet, but no, I won't. The older I get, the more difficult these kids are to deal with.

  Frazzled Teacher : Oh, I totally agree. Yesterday, I just about snatched at Tim Webster. That boy had me on my last nerve.

  Grace Wesley : Well, I happen to think that difficult students can be a blessing.

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

• Grace Wesley : 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.

  [Brooke raises her hand] 

  Grace Wesley : Yes?

  Brooke Thawley : Isn't that sort of like what Jesus meant when he said that we should love our enemies?

  Grace Wesley : Yes. Uh, 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.

  Slacker Kid : Except that that didn't work. Jesus got himself killed and everybody knows that.

  Grace Wesley : Well, so did Dr. King. So I guess it just 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.

  Slacker Kid : I still wouldn't do it.

  Grace Wesley : 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.

• Tom Endler : Grace, I'm gonna level with you. Nobody wants your case. I-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.

  Grace Wesley : So, what's the good news?

  Tom Endler : I don't like to lose. And I'm willing to fight for you.

  Grace Wesley : Are you a believer?

  Tom Endler : You mean a Christian? No, but I-I think that's an advantage.

  Grace Wesley : Why?

  Tom Endler : 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.

  Grace Wesley : Okay.

  Tom Endler : Okay, what?

  Grace Wesley : Okay, I agree to let you represent me.

• Superintendent Jim Powell : I assume Ms. Wesley understands that this board has the power to recommend any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including termination.

  Tom Endler : [before Grace can say anything]  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.

  School Attorney : 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.

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

  Grace Wesley : No.

  Tom Endler : Grace...

  Grace Wesley : I can't.

  Tom Endler : [she gets up and leaves]  I'd like to request a brief recess to have a word with my client. Excuse me.

• Tom Endler : Grace?

  Grace Wesley : Are you...

  Tom Endler : Tom Endler, your union-appointed attorney.

  Grace Wesley : Oh, you don't look like a lawyer.

  Tom Endler : Thank you.

  Grace Wesley : I'm not sure I meant that as a compliment.

  Tom Endler : I'm determined to take it as one.

• Grace Wesley : Injunctive relief?

  Tom Endler : They're asking that you be fired, plus revocation of your teaching certificate.

  Grace Wesley : What? How am I supposed to...

  Tom Endler : Plus attorney's fees. Essentially, you'll... you'll lose everything.

  Grace Wesley : Why are they doing this?

  Tom Endler : 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.

  Grace Wesley : So what do we do?

  Tom Endler : We win.

• Tom Endler : It's called voir dire. It means that we get a chance to eliminate any potential jurors that may have a bias against you.

  [taking his briefcase from security] 

  Tom Endler : Oh, thank you, sir. So, how are you feeling?

  Grace Wesley : I'm good.

  Tom Endler : 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.

• Amy Ryan : Grace, can I ask you a question, off the record?

  Grace Wesley : Sure.

  Amy Ryan : These people, they're looking to destroy you, and I don't just mean financially. Do you think it's worth it?

  Grace Wesley : I hope so.

  Amy Ryan : So do I.

• Grace Wesley : So, is this what you always saw yourself doing, the lawyer thing?

  Tom Endler : No, um... I wanted to be Batman.

  [sharing a laugh] 

  Tom Endler : How 'bout you? Your... your parents have you all set to go to the convent?

  Grace Wesley : Actually, there were no bedtime prayers in my childhood. I was raised in a house without much faith.

  Tom Endler : When did you decide to become a Christian?

  Grace Wesley : I was walking home from class. It was dark, and I was struggling with a lot of things. And I... I turned the corner, and right there in front of me was this church. It had this old sign out front, but it just... it 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.

• Tom Endler : He doesn't make mistakes.

  Grace Wesley : But I thought you proved bias. I mean, Principal Kinney and Mrs. Rizzo?

  Tom Endler : No, those were just jabs. We need a knockout punch. Why did you feel compelled to bring Jesus up in history class?

  Grace Wesley : Why shouldn't I have?

  Tom Endler : Grace, I'm not here to debate with you what you think your rights were as...

  Grace Wesley : 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.

  Tom Endler : I'm... I'm not sure I follow.

  Grace Wesley : Their whole attack, it's about me preaching in class, but I didn't do that.

  Tom Endler : Well, they're saying you did. You cited Scripture. You talked about Jesus' teachings just like they were any other verifiable fact.

  Grace Wesley : 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 AP History. There was nothing wrong with the context.

  Tom Endler : And any rule saying that you can talk about any historic figure that ever existed except Jesus is... discriminatory. I mean, they can't institute that.

  Grace Wesley : And every credible historian admits that Jesus existed. I mean, there's just too much evidence.

  Tom Endler : 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.

  Grace Wesley : [leaving and returning with a book titled "Man, Myth, Messiah"]  You got some reading to do.

• Tom Endler : I brought a giant bag of Chinese food and a briefcase full of files. I say we eat first.

  Grace Wesley : I say you're a genius.

  Tom Endler : Does Walter want to join us?

  Grace Wesley : Oh, no. He's hiding in his room.

  Tom Endler : How come?

  Grace Wesley : Uh... he's treating this like it's a date, which should give you some indication of what my social life is like.

  Tom Endler : Don't worry, I won't tell. Falls under attorney/client privilege.

• Tom Endler : 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.

  Pete Kane : Your Honor, what's going on here?

  Tom Endler : Do it, Grace.

  Grace Wesley : I can't do that.

  Tom Endler : Why? Why can't you do that, Grace?

  Grace Wesley : Because I don't believe I did anything wrong.

  Tom Endler : 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.

  Brooke Thawley : [watching from the gallery]  What?

  Grace Wesley : That would be a lie.

  Tom Endler : So what? Everyone lies.

  Grace Wesley : Not everyone.

  Tom Endler : Are... are you looking to become a martyr?

  Pete Kane : [quietly to his second chair]  What in the world is he doing?

  Simon Boyle : I have no idea.

• Tom Endler : I have to prepare you, Grace. We're gonna lose this case.

  Grace Wesley : I know. You were right. I'm gonna lose everything.

• Tom Endler : What is it that you want, Grace? Tell me. Tell us.

  Grace Wesley : I want... I want to be able to tell the truth.

  Tom Endler : The truth? Whose truth? And what truth are you referring to? Grace, i-is there some truth that you know that no one else knows?

  [she doesn't know how to respond] 

  Tom Endler : Oh, that's right. The other night, didn't you tell me that Jesus spoke to you personally?

  Grace Wesley : Why are you doing this?

  Tom Endler : I'm the one asking the questions, Ms. Wesley. Did you or did you not tell me that Jesus spoke to you personally?

  Grace Wesley : Yes.

  Tom Endler : And what did he say? I'll make it easier for you. Didn't you say that he asked you a question?

  Grace Wesley : That was personal. You weren't supposed to...

  Tom Endler : I don't care.

• Grace Wesley : [seing the jury after Brooke testifies]  Why do they look so angry?

  Tom Endler : Because they think we lied to them.

  Grace Wesley : But we didn't.

  Tom Endler : It doesn't matter.

• Tom Endler : 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.

  Grace Wesley : Why are you doing this to me?

  Tom Endler : Answer the question.

  Grace Wesley : They won't believe me.

  Tom Endler : 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.

  [shouting] 

  Tom Endler : Answer the question!

  Grace Wesley : [tearfully]  He asked, "Who do you say that I am?".

  Tom Endler : And what did you answer?

  Grace Wesley : "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

• Pete Kane : 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?

  Brooke Thawley : No, uh, no, not at that moment.

  Pete Kane : Not at that moment. You mean to say that there were other moments in which she talked to you about her faith?

  [the courtroom notices her react] 

  Pete Kane : Hmm? Ms. Thawley, please?

  Judge Stennis : You must answer the question, Ms. Thawley.

  Brooke Thawley : Yes, but it was outside of school and it was only one time.

  Tom Endler : 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 Kane : Thank you, Your Honor.

  Tom Endler : [quietly to Grace]  Why didn't you tell me about this?

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

• Tom Endler : Your Honor, I have one final witness to call. Grace Wesley.

  Judge Stennis : Ms. Wesley, please approach the witness stand.

  Grace Wesley : Do I have to?

  Judge Stennis : I'm afraid so.

  Tom Endler : Your Honor, given the witness's reluctance to testify, can I have the court's permission to treat her as a hostile witness?

  Judge Stennis : You may. Proceed at your own peril.