A Matter of Faith Page #4

I told her I could take

the day off tomorrow

and we'd ride up

for a quick visit.

She said she'd love to have us.

We'll take her out to early

dinner and then drive back.

KIMBERLY:
Up and back

in one day?

Don't worry, I'll drive,

you can sleep on the way home.

[Knocking on door]

[Door opening]

Hi Mom.

Hi honey.

I can't believe you guys

decided to come up here today.

Well, it was your father's idea.

Where is Dad'?

[Knocking on door]

Professor Kaman'?

Yes.

My name is Stephen Whitaker.

May I speak with you

for a moment'?

Sure. I'm sorry, have we met'?

No, but my daughter is in

your freshman Biology class.

Rachel Whitaker.

Ah Rachel.

She's a pleasure

to have in class.

Thank you.

Professor Kaman,

I don't mean to come off

so direct

or with any disrespect,

but I'm concerned about what

you're teaching in your class.

Is that so?

[Pen dropping]

Can you give me an example'?

Well, it seems your class

deals quite a bit

with the subject of evolution.

Yes it does.

Can you explain to me

why you teach only evolution?

Sure, but first let me

ask you Mr. Whitaker,

are you a religious man'?

A religious man'?

Well you believe in God

and the Bible.

Yes sir I do.

And does that help you'?

Help me?

Does that help you to be

at peace with yourself?

Yes it does.

Well then I think that's great

and I would encourage you

to go on believing.

But you're teaching evolution.

Mr. Whitaker, I teach what

my textbooks tells me to teach.

It comes from real people who

have conducted real experiments

and observed real evidence

and frankly,

I'm at peace with that.

But it goes against

the core beliefs

of everything we've been

teaching Rachel all her life,

against what Christianity

stands for.

Dad.

Hello Rachel.

What are you doing here'?

I came by to talk

to your instructor.

But why?

Well I just wanted to stop

by for a minute.

[Chair movement]

Hello Rachel.

Professor Kaman.

Mr. Whitaker, I've got to meet

with another student momentarily

so I'm afraid we're going to

have to pick up this discussion

at another time.

But I tell you what.

You strongly believe

in the creation story

from the Bible, right'?

Yes, that's correct

but I don't call it a story.

Every month the university

sponsors a debate

that is also open to the public.

My Department will be hosting

the next one on October 19th.

Why don't you and I

debate this issue?

It would be a great opportunity

for you to express your views.

They're moderated,

they're orderly.

Evolution versus Creationism.

What do you say'?

No, I couldn't do that.

I mean, I never intended to-

Professor Kaman,

my dad can't debate you.

Rachel, your father has

the passion of his beliefs,

that's what makes

for a great debate.

You can read oft a prepared

text, that's done all the time.

But, Dad you can't.

Now wait a minute

Professor Kaman.

I did not come here

with any intention

of doing a debate with you.

I understand Mr. Whitaker.

It's just that I think

this topic would be

so valuable for the students.

And you do believe

in your viewpoint, don't you'?

[Music]

I can't believe Dad agreed

to debate Professor Kaman.

Mom, you've got to stop this.

The man cornered me Rachel.

What was I supposed to say?

You could have said no.

This man obviously

has no respect for God

or anything that we believe in.

But Professor Kaman doesn't

claim to be a Christian either.

Do you know how embarrassing

this is going to be for me?

I don't want to embarrass

anyone, especially you.

Dad, you're not going to convert

Professor Kaman to your beliefs

so why even try'?

Actually, it's not his beliefs

that I am concerned about.

What's that supposed to mean'?

I feel this man

is affecting you Rachel.

That he's causing you

to change your views.

That's ridiculous.

Mom, say something.

Honey, your father's just

concerned about you that's all.

I can't believe

this is happening.

And I'm certainly not happy

with what this Kaman guy

is teaching you.

[Music]

Let's just go to dinner.

[Music]

[Phone ringing]

Phil Jamison.

KAMAN:
Marcus Kaman.

Professor.

Hey Phil, I think I've got

the topic for the next debate.

How does evolution

versus creationism sound?

Ah ha, well unless

you changed teams,

I know what side you fall on.

We'll note it on

the calendar of events.

It seems some of my views

are being challenged.

JAMISON:
Now who

in thew right mind

would challenge

anything you say.

The father of one

of my students.

JAMISON:
The plot thickens.

Yeah, I got a religious dad

who doesn't like his little girl

thinking for herself.

I see.

I might have to do

a little publicity on this

just to build the crowd.

Well, I got his name and number

right here if you need them.

Yeah, no problem, here you go.

Evan, got our topic

for the next debate,

and I think this one

will be of interest to you.

It seems the father

of one of the students

is challenging Professor Kaman.

Evolution versus Creationism.

I wanna do a story on this

prior to the debate

and build it up.

There's the father's

contact information.

See what you can find out,

you know his purpose, motive,

what he hopes to accomplish.

I'll get Shane to do

the same thing

with Professor Kaman.

Okay sir, will do.

Who knows, maybe we can get

some community interest

on this one.

[Music]

Whitaker'?

Before we begin today,

I'd like to make a

brief announcement.

I'd like to make a

brief announcement.

Each month the University

sponsors a debate

at the Fine Arts Center

and our department

will be hosting the next one.

Yours truly will be taking part

as it's a topic that is near

and dear to my heart,

evolution versus creationism.

Now we have a slightly

unusual situation this time

in that my debate opponent

is the father of one

of the students in this class,

Miss Rachel Whitaker.

I don't doubt that Miss Whitaker

finds this situation

a little embarrassing

but I want her to know

that she has my complete

support at this time

when she is beginning

to think for herself.

I just wanted the rest of you

to be aware of the situation,

and I hope you're all planning

on coming to the debate

as a part of your participation

in this course.

Okay'? Let's get to work,

open your books to chapter six.

[Music]

We just left after dinner.

I felt it best to give

her some time.

She was pretty upset.

I agree, sometimes

it is the right thing to do.

Maybe I shouldn't have accepted

but I felt put on the spot.

Now I feel like

Rachel's against me

because of this.

She's not against you Stephen.

Plus I'm not a public speaker

like he is.

I've never done anything

like this before.

Look, you know we're here

to help you anyway we can.

I appreciate that.

[Footsteps]

Rachel, right'?

My name's Evan.

We met the other day.

Can I talk to you

for a minute'?

Not right now,

I'm got a lot on my mind.

Is your father's name Stephen?

I can't believe my father went

to see one of my Professors

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