Miss USA Affirms Evolution

A Christian Miss Tennessee told Miss USA judges she strongly disapproves of the
burning of sacred texts, including her own, during a challenging final question
round that led to the crowning of Miss California, a self-professed "science
geek" and believer in evolution.

When asked if the burning of any religious article should be protected by the
First Amendment the same way burning the flag is protected, Tennessee's Ashley
Elizabeth Durham, a journalism student, answered, "Absolutely not."

Durham disclosed her Christian faith with the audience and said she would be
upset if the Bible were burned. She then urged for mutual respect for the Bible
and any other religious text, including the Quran.

"You should also respect other religions," she proclaimed. Burning either the
Quran or the Bible, she said, is "just a line that you do not cross."

The question was posed by Rocco DiSpirito who, without naming names, cited
Florida Pastor Terry Jones’ controversial action of burning a Quran. Jones had
announced plans last year to burn copies of the Islamic holy book on the
anniversary of 9/11. He canceled the 9/11 event after much outcry from the
public, but later continued with the burning on March 20 of this year despite
sweeping condemnation over his plan.

A 24-year-old Muslim man later desecrated the Bible at the gates of Saint
Anthony's Catholic Church in Lahore, Pakistan, in March to avenge the Florida
burning.

After answering the question, Durham was named the first runner-up. Miss
California, Alyssa Campanella, was named Miss USA.

Campanella told judges during the pageant that she would legalize marijuana for
medical use only.

"It's abused today, unfortunately; that's the only reason why I'd be a little
bit against it," she reasoned.

Campanella is not against evolution in schools, however. During the preliminary
online questions, she was asked whether evolution should be taught in schools.
She responded, "I was taught evolution in high school. I do believe in it. I'm a
huge science geek ... I like to believe in the big bang theory and, you know,
the evolution of humans throughout time."

The online questions, which touched on evolution and nudity, were fraught with
controversy from public figures who feared conservative contestants would be
ostracized for their answers.

"They witnessed with Carrie Prejean (the former Miss California) how a firestorm
can create a road kill, and nobody wants to be part of a situation like that
again," Keith Lewis, state pageant director California, New York and New
Hampshire, told Fox News. Prejean sparked debate when she stated her belief in
traditional marriage during the 2009 pageant.

While many pageant contestants this year expressed an openness to include
evolution in public schools, some also expressed their desire to see the other
side – such as creationism – given equal time in the classroom. One contestant
completely rejected evolution as a school subject.

"I do think evolution should be taught in schools," said Durham in her video.
"Personally, that's not my belief, but I do believe all ideas should be put out
there for people to decide for themselves."

Online fan favorite for the quarter-finalist round Brittany Toll of New Mexico
also said of evolution, "I think evolution should be taught in schools because
evolution is based off of science and I think science is a huge thing that we
need to continue to enrich our schools with."

Miss Alabama, Madeline Mitchell, was the third runner-up, and Miss Texas, Ana
Christina Rodriguez, placed fourth at the 2011 Miss USA pageant.