Very noble...but...

Much of has been made in the news of Carrie Prejean, Miss California, answering that she believes that marriage should be between a man and a woman. She has become a lightning rod, reviled by the deviants of the world and praised as an example by Christians. This is the "controversial" answer that she gave....

"I think it's great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage," she said. "And you know what? I think in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."

So a tacit rejection of gay marriage, which according to the questioner "Perez Hilton" who is apparently a homosexual celebrity blogger (and what has become of this country that someone can be identified that way!) cost her the title. Apparently what the judges want is for these young women to repeat the P.C. answers that will give you the crown. Good for her to answer that way and stand up for marriage in God's eyes. As she said upon returning home, she was raised to see marriage as described in the Bible in her church...

She offered her version of the tense hours following the April 19 Miss USA pageant while appearing at the San Diego megachurch that has helped shape her views. The Rock Church, founded by former San Diego Chargers defensive back Miles McPherson, was active in the campaign to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriages in California last year.

I am sure that Mr. "Hilton" knew full well of her church affiliation and asked what amounted to a no-win gotcha question. I loved this comment from another judge:

"I do not fault her for her beliefs. I fault her for her complete lack of social grace, and that's a quality I want my Miss USA to possess," judge Alicia Jacobs, a former Miss Nevada, wrote on her blog.

So it is a sign of a "complete lack of social grace" to not parrot back what someone wants to hear and instead speak your mind. They might as well just record a PC answer and not let the girls speak, just play the recording of the correct answer while they stand there.

It all sounds like something I would support. So what is my problem?

Here is my issue. Before we go overboard anointing Ms. Prejean as the spokesperson of the faith, keep in mind that in this same pageant there is a swimsuit portion. I won't link to it or put the pic up, but Ms. Prejean's swimsuit is, well, barely there. If you search her name on Yahoo! one of the first images that pops up is her in her swimsuit. It is hardly modest, but it is what is expected of a woman if she wants that crown. Her church is only giving her a partial message if she is learning that homosexuality is wrong but that wearing a skimpy bikini to win the worlds acclaim is OK.

Maybe I am making too much of this. Maybe not.

likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works. (1Ti 2:9-10)

And....

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. (Luk 11:34)

And...

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mat 5:28)

I hope that this whole incident has been instructive to Carrie Prejean. If you seek the world's approval by parading around on TV in a bikini, the world will only give you its approval if you deny everything that the world hates. She is a beautiful and no doubt smart young woman. She has far more to offer this world than a tiara and a sash, and the cost of her immodest attire on TV outweighs whatever good she may have done. Far better to adorn herself in this world by standing apart by her faith and leave the crowns for Christ.