Her.meneutics: Carrie Prejean's Book Urges Women to Stand Up for Beliefs

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November 10, 2009

Carrie Prejean's Book Urges Women to Stand Up for Beliefs

Still Standing doesn't claim Prejean made the right decisions, only that she has the right to make them.

Alicia Cohn

In her book, Still Standing: The Untold Story of My Fight Against Gossip, Hate, and Political Attacks, former Miss California Carrie Prejean describes herself as “a sacrificial Christian thrown to the vicious and cruel media lions to be torn apart.” Prejean, a competitor and semi-finalist in the Miss USA 2009 pageant, became the center of media controversy this spring when she responded to a pageant question that she believes “marriage should be between a man and a woman,” not between same-sex couples.

Media treatment of the ensuing controversy — which raged on between Prejean, pageant officials, celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, and pageant owner Donald Trump — revealed more incriminating details, such as Prejean's half-naked photographs and pageant-funded breast implant surgery. Prejean’s avowed Christianity also prompted questions about the effectiveness of pageant preachers and Christian women's involvement in the questionable beauty pageant scene.

In the book, Prejean skirts some of the major issues that circulated in media gossip — including her relationship with Michael Phelps, the photographs, her breast implants, and heated comments in her parents’ divorce records — by acknowledging but quickly dismissing them.

Regarding the breast implant surgery, she writes, “It was a choice I had to make, and I made it; and as with all my choices, I’m prepared to stick by it.” It is an interesting answer, considering the book was inspired by another choice she had to make on stage. The book is more about Prejean’s right to make her own choices than an argument that she made the right ones.

The closest she comes to expressing regret is her admission that she did not always listen to the right people. She admits to putting herself “in a position to be exploited” when she signed on to the Miss California pageant, which is also the closest she comes to repudiating her involvement in the pageant scene. “For me, pageants had always been about competition and using that sash and tiara for good,” she wrote. “Now I saw the whole pageant as a sham, glittering and fake. Many of the people I had worked with and the girls I competed with were wonderful. But we were trapped in a system run by petty egos, shallow values, and a sort of venomous incompetence.”

Still Standing evokes similarities to an earlier memoir about a beauty queen, Yes, You Can, Heather: The Story of Heather Whitestone, Miss America 1995. Whitestone, the first Miss America with a disability (she is deaf), also used her crown as a platform for her faith. Yes, You Can, Heather used a similar theme as Still Standing by blending memoir with exhortation for young women not to compromise their dreams. But the differences between the two memoirs are striking: The crowning achievement in Yes, You Can, Heather is Whitestone's achievement of the crown, while Prejean’s story describes her choice to give it up. “It was more important to me to be biblically correct than politically correct,” she writes.

One other difference is tone: Comparing the two book titles should make it obvious that Prejean is the more defiant beauty queen. Indeed, her book is so effective at depicting a hardened survivor that the reader is likely startled by any mention of Prejean’s age: only 22 by the book’s release date.

As Still Standing reaches to make a larger point about freedom of religion and speech (Prejean veers from her own story by dedicating an entire chapter to First Amendment issues), it is likely to leave readers wondering if the real Prejean is really revealed within these pages. Everybody watched as Prejean stumbled over her words on stage. Her book barely hints at the vulnerability beneath the events: the indecision, doubt, and the coaching that must have occurred regularly throughout the subsequent months.

Yet when Prejean ends the book with eight lessons aimed at young women, the words of wisdom seem well earned. Prejean speaks of making a choice on stage between the Miss USA crown and staying true to her beliefs and herself. The book reveals that the true choice was made after the incident on stage, in a day-by-day struggle to stand behind a choice that she made in a split second and a statement that, admittedly, she blurted out. In many ways, it is a story of a girl from a Christian home growing into a Christian woman who is responsible for her own decisions and their consequences. Prejean discovered that her beliefs were worth standing behind, and that is a story worth reading.

Her.meneutics editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey interviewed Carrie Prejean about her book, her faith, and her plans for the future.

Comments

Oh well here we go again! I really thought that I had seen the end to the fascination of so many christines with ms Prejean. But I guess that's not the case!

Well sorry to pop your bubble. Call me a party pooper or whatever; I can take it ladies.

But the latest on Ms. Prejean (that she didn't include in the book of course) is; That at the age of 17 while still a minor according to the laws of the land.

She made a Video of herself naked for her then boyfriend. Whatever she was doing in the Video I'll leave it to your's imaginations. But I can assure of this my dear ladies, she was not standing in the Video.

As a father I'm glad she and others like her are not the Paradigm to follow by young christines, oops I meant ""christinas"" oops no sorry I really meant ""christians"" women.

Sorry not to be able by conscience in this "crise de conscience" party.

Carrie should be judged by her character now, not as a 17 year old, in fact not even as a 22 year old at the beginning of the Miss USA pageant.

I believe this young woman has matured immensely since this controversy regarding her statement on same-sex marriage first began. Has she made mistakes? Sure, she has shown us she has made plenty of mistakes but as a 22 year old, she still has much growing up to do.

But what better message of hope for the young ladies who have "messed up" in their lives? Here is a young woman that has been through it and is still standing tall and strong. If nothing else, that should be positive message for anyone that is also "going through it!"

Excellent review of her book as you show why getting and reading Carrie's book would be more helpful than hurtful!

Ms. Prejean describes herself as “a sacrificial Christian thrown to the vicious and cruel media lions to be torn apart.” During a week when we many were praying for the persecuted church, Ms. Prejean has much to learn from brothers and sisters in Christ in many countries around the world who truly "sacrifice" for their faith.

Ms. Prejean put herself in this position by not living up to her supposed values. The apparent inconsistency between her beliefs (i.e., values such as faith, family and traditional marriage) and actions (i.e., sex symbol, breast implanted, suggestively photographed and videoed pageant queen) led to a media nightmare for Ms. Prejean (which of course she is exploiting for all it is worth).

Scripture suggests leaders be "above reproach." Let's allow for some spiritual maturity to take place in Ms. Prejean's life before we make her out to be Christianity's next Ruth Graham.

I agree with Jim comments. This women has be transformed by the Spirit and seems ignorant of what the Bible teaches about modesty for both sexes. She defends modeling and pageants when both clearly require one to present oneself- at least part of the time - in a sexual and suggestive ways. The Bible says "FLEE from every HINT of lust (my capitals)--but she is even PROMOTING IT, forget fleeing it herself. By her example she will lead many astray in this matter, she will influence them. While I can applaud her statements on gay marriage, she is sorely in need of Bible study and adhearance to what she studies on these matters. She could benefit from time spent in 1 and 2 Corintians where Paul admonishes a young and lust filled church on what is correct and not correct. Chrstianity Today magazine owes clarification on these matters in later articles

Oh of course the excuses are flying like manure at a cow chip flinging contest.

Oh gals, you just go and put this little trollup up as a role model for you daughters.

Just be prepared to raise your grand kids while your daughter is still in Jr. High.

Well, well said Tralfaz Kudos to you!!

That's the way it was, it is, will be. Nothing new under the sun, more of the same. The end results of godlessness is the Strongest argument for Godliness.

!!!!

As a young Christian woman (26), I can't believe there is any shred of credibility left for Carrie. Personally, I am disgusted by her exploitation of Christianity to salvage her own questionable reputation and also certain sectors of Christianity's exploitation of her for their own political agenda. Carrie should NOT be held up as a Christian example of any kind, and it seems like she is only being held up as one because she happened to express certain political and social opinions in the name of Christianity. I am thoroughly cynical about both her motives and the motives of some who want to turn her into a Christian model/icon. What is there to emulate in her? She made one insensitively and unintelligently worded statement and stuck by it and got a book deal out of it. What about living a life of modesty, of compassion, of love, of integrity, and developing the ability to articulate one's beliefs in a way that is convicted, convincing, and compassionate? Now, that's worthy of emulation. I feel sorry for Carrie and do hope that she can develop into a grounded and mature Christian witness. If this whole ordeal pushes her that way, then I am encouraged; however, I still haven't gotten the sense that any depth or growth has really developed. All I see is defensiveness in order to remain viable in a world of 24 hour news cycles.

Go Rachel. I'm so glad to see that you see this for what it is. It's just her wanting to keep her name in the news and pressing her own agenda. Herself. Just like Perez Hilton. He's the same as she. Before this whole mess, La Hilton didn't care nor lift a finger to fight for equality for gays. I don't know how you, Rachel feel about that, but that's not the issue. It's about two people that only cared about making a buck. Carrie and Perez, two peas in a very ugly pod.

Amen Rachel! My thoughts exactly. Carrie's defensiveness is so annoying to me and frankly I don't know why we're still talking about her.

"Prejean veers from her own story by dedicating an entire chapter to First Amendment issues"

-- I can't decide whether to laugh or cry. If her understanding of the First Amendment is anything like her understanding about how states enact legislation (see her comment in the CT interview about how it was "incorrect" to say that "Vermont recently legalized same sex marriage" because "actually, the people in Vermont didn't vote" -- note to Carrie, we live in a constitutional republic in which states enact legislation by having our elected representatives vote on the bills rather than by public referenda, which are extremely rare) this will be a hoot.

Seriously, why is CT devoting ANY time to this woman? I completely agree with Rachel. The first two times I heard her statement, I thought she was being mocked for her incoherent answer, much like that other poor pageant girl who went on about education and "U.S. Americans" and "suchlike."

And what's with Sarah Pulliam, having to interview (hopefully she didn't think it was a privilege) BOTH Carrie Prejean AND Joe the Plumber, who each in their own way is the epitome of everything that is wrong with political evangelicalism? Sigh.

So, in the last few weeks we've had 3(!) posts about the new study on women's progress, all of which focused to a greater or lesser extent on how unhappy women supposedly are, one on how Wheaton might have to make a trade-off between competence and diversity (or so some misguided neanderthals think) in hiring a new president, a guilt trip for looking at those cute pictures of funny kittens (which also emphasized how women's unhappiness), a post about women on Christian dating sites who have somehow haven't seen the "Nigerian bank" scams, another promoting a blogger who links to a "joke" about how women's brains are "driven by ... emotion," and now a review of a "book" by a babbling beauty queen. I think it's about time for an article about an articulate, intelligent, successful, happy Christian woman. Heaven forbid it should be a Christian feminist. There are some who are even evangelical.

I'm sorry Miss Prejean is so screwed up and unwilling to accept responsibility for anything; emotionally and maturity-wide she's about a seven year-old. However as someone who is not a practicing christian, I'm a reluctant deist if anything, a thing is what it is. Prejean is no more "filled with the holy spirit" than Elvis is at a truck stop in Little Rock. Narcissism is unpleasant no matter where it comes from. She's had more than her fill of notoriety, let's forget her now, for everyone's sake.

I could never express myself as clearly and intelligently as "Rachel" and "Christian Lawyer" have here, but a very hearty AMEN to both of their well thought out comments. I agree all on points they've made.

I only wanted to add that so many "instant celebs" in our society have written books and in my opinion have not earned that right. Many negative things happen to alot of us when we're younger but I feel it takes many years to process it all and as a believer in Jesus Christ with God's help it can still be a painful and slow process. Carrie's book is just another to glut the market.

I regret that you wasted time and effort to even review this book and give any publicity to Carrie Prejean' self-serving drivel. This young lady continues to be an embarrassment to any thinking follower of Jesus. Lord, spare us hypocrites like her as well and all the exploitive Christian organizations that have given her a platform to continue to humiliate herself and discredit credible Biblical critiques of our culture's moral decline. Please, let's not give any more attention to this opportunistic book that is unworthy to be on anyone's reading list. The young lady has already outlived her "Andy Warhol 15 minutes" of undeserved fame. In the future I recommend your reviews to those who really have something worthy to say!

Prejean speaks of making a choice on stage between the Miss USA crown and staying true to her beliefs and herself. The book reveals that the true choice was made after the incident on stage, in a day-by-day struggle to stand behind a choice that she made in a split second and a statement that, admittedly, she blurted out. -- Alicia Cohn

And there you have it folks... In the clutch Carrie didn't choke...

Name me one perfect person besides Jesus who walked this earth.... I am named after a man who was both an adulterer and a murderer, and yet this is written about him....

Acts 13:22 But God removed him from the kingship and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, `David son of Jesse is a man after my own heart, for he will do everything I want him to.'

Acts 13:23 "And it is one of King David's descendants, Jesus, who is God's promised Savior of Israel!

As a believer in Jesus, I serve a redeemer, one who will abundantly pardon those who repent...

Jesus said that by their fruits you would know them...

The fruit I see displayed so far in this board amounts to not much more than sour grapes...

And God himself only knows how much cordwood is lodged in the eyes of Ms Prejeans detractors...

Her implants have a very different story to tell. Be sure to look for that autobiography in Feb 2010.

One of the the issues surrounding Carrie Prejean relates to whether or not she is placing herself in the position of leadership and as an example to Christians. (meant to be read as Evangelical Christians) Based on the interview w/CT the says "I don't say I'm a role model" (see top of page 4 of interview) We must hold her feet to the fire based on her response. Sure we can forgive her imperfections but I don't want her canonized as an Evangelical Saint or having her begging endlessly for money on TBN.

Vote with your dollars, folks. Hopefully, this drivel won't sell.

Very good comment, GW. I guess one of my big issues with her is her consistent lying. That wasn't me. I never posed nude. Oh, I forgot about those pictures. The wind was blowing. Oh, I guess that was me but I was 17 at the time. No, I was 20. Seriously, she has a problem, and we're only enabling her by writing and publishing articles or interviews such as this.

All I can say is God is a God of second chances! Regardless of her past, present, what would Jesus do? So many different christians blog on this site but who knows your lifestyle, As a 31 year woman I applaud her for speaking up on a issue that so many so called christians and political figures would never say a word about besides going with the norm. These are truly the last days, work out your own salvation instead worrying about how Carrie is using the name of christianity to gain fame or fortune!

I can't judge Ms. Prejean's heart or pretend to know where she stands with God. That is something only she knows. But I do not see from her actions how she in any way fulfills the biblical requirements for Christian leadership (which she has de facto chosen by choosing to strive for and remain in the public limelight) or exemplifies the personal qualities that the scripture says are to be present in those living the Christian life and particularly those who are in a position of leadership and influence.

And those so-called Christian leaders who so quickly used her for their own selfish political advantage ought to be ashamed of themselves and repent of their selfishness and worldly ambition.

I and my family really pretty much ignore the whole Christian celebrity crazes as they come and go, and I have no doubt that we are better off for it.

I tell you I can sure see her point on people shutting down her "freedom of speech". I think there was actually one full hour in the past week where Carrie wasn't pontificating to somebody about this in a television interview. She's quite the victim and she did nothing, absolutely nothing, to warrant anybody's critique and you better not ask any questions other than "how did the bad, bad liberal media hurt you Carrie?" Pleeaaase.

Miss Prejean is a walking car wreck. To buy her book is to pay for her insurance. She is living proof that "My Christian faith" has replaced "patriotism" as the last refuge of a scoundrel.

I really hope that Carrie reads these comments. Frankly, as an educated Christian woman, who also believes that marraige is between a man and a woman, I was never under the illusion that the beauty pageant crowd had to believe in me. They also can believe however they wish, and thier preferences are abundantly clear(and godless, I might add). I'm embarrassed to have this young woman as an ambassador to anything that I deem important. She has made herself a laughing-stock, and doesn't seem to know it. I wish she would take out her implants and learn to love the Lord with all her heart, mind, soul, and strength.

Why is Christianity Today giving time to a young, immature Christian woman is misrepresenting God and who clearly has a deep need for attention that is expressed in her life's choices --sex tape for boyfriend, modeling, Beauty Pageant contestant--and now media spokeswoman for Christian values. She needs to fill her heart with the love of Christ instead of trying to fill it with the attention of a boyfriend or strangers gazes or becoming a media celebrity. She badly needs to put what is first, FIRST-- JESUS--build a personal intimate relationship with Him instead of running after the attention of people. She needs growth as a woman of God--which requires her to get out of the spotlight and spend a lot of time in the Word, in prayer and living by the Word. She is being exploited by REPUBLICANS, who may be Christians, but who really put politics first ahead of everything when it comes down to it. You know, dear conservatives, (of which I am one) Jesus never told you that fundamental change would come politically--IT NEVER DOES--so stop focusing on that. Change in this world comes through each child of God being changed over time in character and living out the word of God. Stop exploiting this girls need for attention for your agenda.

And where is her church???-- has no one there counseled her about this? Don't you care about her?? She is making a fool of herself, not growing as a Christian--same mistakes over and over!!-- and bringing reproach on the Lord. She drives certain people away from the faith by her hypocrisy and gives them ammunition to attack it with. And this magazine is selling copies in part by giving her a platform. SHAME on CT magazine

I must admit that I was one of those who defendeded Carrie and her right to free speech. I admit she was attacked rather harshly by Perez Hilton. That is where my sympathy for her ends. After watching her recent interviews on TV, I am more and more turned off by her. This woman doesn't represent Christ. She represents a political agenda. In interviews, she is defensive and so bitchy. I'm sorry, if you don't want people asking you questions about your MANY sex tapes and nude photos, don't write a book and don't give interviews. She is such a hypocrite and that sickens me!

I can't believe that your website, aimed primarily at young people, and dealing often with religious/ethical questions, would stoop to Giving Carrie Prejean such prominence. The woman should not in any way be held up as a model for the young. Her book is on the trashy side, and her life seems to have had its trashy side also. I can only conclude that you have given her this billing because she is a "conservative," a political philosophy that your organization perhaps endorses. That is not an acceptable reason to headline, for young minds, an ignorant, narcissistic woman of such questionable integrity. For shame!

In disgust,
A Teacher

Of course Carrie is young and makes mistakes, but I frankly
am a little surprised at the vitriolic comments about her
on this thread.
What would Christ say to her? What did he say to the
woman with Sin in her life?
Case closed.

I know not which is the better argument against Christianity, Carrie and her book, or the reaction of Christians to her and her book.

I have no particular feelings of animosity nor favor towards Miss Prejean. I only feel that she has received much more publicity than she deserves, and I'm not going to waste my time formulating an opinion about her, nor money in buying her latest book.
I know as much as I need to know about her. She is a blip on the radar screen, and her 15 min. of fame are about over. I pray that she seriously considers putting all of this behind her, and that she seeks to grow in her relationship with the Lord.

None of you "Perfect Christians" are no better than Carrie Prejean. I just bet the same people who post defend their heroes like Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer and other Christians who fleece the flock and do worse, like Ted Haggard.

I really wish CT would pull this article and not give additional support to the controversy surrounding this woman. Certianly the title "....urging Women to stand up for beliefs" is ridiculous given the context of her current scandals and lack of so-called beliefs. Good thing God gives grace!!

Posted By: Mandi

And isn't it sad that in Jesus name.... You do not....

It’s people like Carrie who make atheism a growing trend.

Posted By: Kirk | November 16, 2009 9:56 PM

Actually Kirk...

It's folks like you who use lame excuses about the human frailties of others to justfy their own godless behavior who make atheism what it is... Self-centered hedonism personified...

Hello
This is a good post and its interesting to know about Carrie Prejean and her book.You have given nice review about her book.Thank you very much for sharing this with us.

I think this whole matter should serve to cause us to examine what is going on among Christians, and consider our own lives and if there is a "hint" of sexual immorality or lust in it. Jesus said not even a hint was permissible.

In response to David...do you know the definition of grace??
"grace is unmerited favor from God"-I can't really claim to give that anyway, nor did I say anything directly pertaining to CP, only to CT. Maybe you should do less offending of others in comment threads.

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