Tolerance, Miss California, and Perez Hilton
If you are not aware, Miss California drew the name Perez Hilton as the judge who would ask a question during the interview portion of the competition. He asked, “”Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?” Miss California answered, “Well, 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. And you know what, 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 and that’s how I think it should be - between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”
First of all, why would Donald Trump have a homosexual sit as a judge at a woman’s beauty contest? That is not a question to which I have found an answer. I guess we could go further and discuss the value of beauty contests … but that’s another discussion entirely.
Next, note that Mr. Hilton’s question was worded, “Do you think …” He asked for her opinion. She gave her opinion.
After the ceremony (Miss California lost to Miss North Carolina), Miss California’s sponsors disappeared, apparently very upset at Miss California’s response to this question. Then many articles and blogs appeared on the internet espousing differing views about this situation. Perez Hilton ranted and raved and called Miss California unmentionable names. He said later, on the Today Show, that she gave “the worst answer ever in pageant history.” Then he said that had Miss California won the contest he would have gone on stage and taken off her crown. Donald Trump alluded to the fact that Miss California lost the competition because of that answer. Another judge, Claudia Jordan, a past Miss USA contestant, said that there was an answer to be learned. “In pagents, just like in politics, it’s probably best to just give a neutral answer where you’re not committed to one side or the other — if you want to win.”
When Mr. Hilton was asked on the Today Show what type of answer he expected he said that he thought Miss California, of all contestants, would be better prepared to answer his question and that he would have liked it much better if she had left out her politics and her religion out. He said Miss USA needs to be politically correct and inclusive of everyone. You should watch this video — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5tZbga2Iz8
Miss California’s response was wonderful. She realized that her answer probably cost her the title, but she wouldn’t answer any differently if she could go back and do it again. Note that her answer did not mention her politics or her religion in any way … she simply said it was her opinion and the way she had been raised.
Donald Trump finally commented and said, “I am very honored that she won. She really did a fantastic job … She was doing well on every single card and she really did answer also a very, very tough question very well. Miss California has done a wonderful job, that was her belief … It wasn’t a bad answer, that was simply her belief.“
Let’s talk about tolerance. The definition of tolerance is, “willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of other.” Mr. Hilton and many other online bloggers were less than tolerant of Miss California’s opinion. Some would like us to believe that being tolerant means embracing the beliefs of others and that is not an accurate definition. Besides, as Christians, we are not to be tolerant of those choosing to practice sin. We are to rebuke them and then, if they do not change, stay away from them. Another blogger who goes by the name of JayBird actually accused Miss California of being both intolerant and unbiblical in her response. He said, “Unfortunately her answer wasn’t exactly biblically correct, in the sense that the Bible also says a lot about tolerance and acceptance of everyone. It’s also widely open to interpretation. I’m not going to pretend to be any exceptional Bible scholar, but I do go to church every week. I am proud that my church belongs to several organizations that actively seek out and support GLTBQ people to let them know they are welcome, equal additions to our congregation. A few of the groups are also actively campaigning for marriage equality. There are a wide variety of responses to homosexuality within the Christian faith, and I hope people know that Prejean’s beliefs are not representative of everyone’s.”
What a great opportunity to discuss tolerance, political correctness, false logic, and biblical mandates with your children!
