After Trump’s critique, Carson says Seventh-day Adventism is

For the first time, erstwhile leader Donald Trump has been overtaken by the fast-rising GOP star: Ben Carson. But he’s also framing his beliefs in broad terms that aim to transcend divisions among Christians.

The retired neurosurgeon tells AP that his relationship with God is “the most important aspect”. “It’s not really denomination specific”.

Carson discussed a brief period as a college student when he questioned whether to stay in the church. “I don’t see any reason why women can’t be ordained”, he said.

Even though Carson is gaining a massive amount of popularity in Iowa, it is Trump who is leading the pack in the presidential campaign in most of the states. Voters have come to know him for his faith-infused policy stands, including his opposition to abortion and gay marriage, without hearing much from him about his Adventism. “I would certainly give an apology if I said something bad about it, but I didn’t”. Let’s interpret it this way’.

During a rally last Saturday in Florida, Trump noted he was a Presbyterian, calling his own church “middle of the road”. Then he added, “I mean, Seventh-day Adventist, I don’t know about”.

Now, half a century ago many evangelicals were very wary of Seventh-Day Adventism.

What Donald Trump doesn’t know about Seventh-day Adventism could perhaps fill a book or two. “So I’m a little bit surprised”, he said. Williams replied, in part, that Carson “does not embrace that”. He continued with his question about the “strictest tenets” and “extreme propositions” in Seventh Day Adventism. On average, studies including the famous “Blue Zone” project reveal, Seventh-day Adventists who follow the guidelines live seven years longer than the general population. Seventh-day Adventists hold that the Sabbath should be worshipped on Saturday and that religions that observe the Sabbath on Sunday have been corrupted by Satan.

The denomination was established in 1863 in Battle Creek, Michigan, and now claims 18.7 million members worldwide, including 1.2 million in North America.

Ellen White is considered a prophet, but her extensive religious writings, while deeply influential in shaping the church, are not given the same weight as Scripture. Religion is important, but more and more religious people are less concerned with denominational affiliation than they are with how deeply connected you are with your faith.

Carson is accustomed to misunderstandings about his church.

Q: What do you mean by saying ‘not a religious person?’

The church views the Bible as the literal word of God and the primary authority for Adventists. Videos are plentiful online of Carson debating atheists, upholding Adventist teaching that God created the Earth in six days, and giving personal testimonies at churches.

Ben Carson: “No drinking, no alcohol, no cigarette smoking or illicit drugs”.

Adventists also have a heavy emphasis on education and many go into the medical field, due in part to the spiritual discipline within the church of staying healthy. You know, if you have the love of God in your heart, it seems like you wouldn’t do that.

It’s hard for me to imagine that anyone at 100 Witherspoon St.in Louisville (the PCUSA national HQ) is a Donald Trump supporter. “I have several honorary degrees from Catholic universities”, he said.

Q: How does this type of worship compare to Saturday services with the Seventh-day Adventist church?

“I think there’s a wide variety of interpretations of that”. And, look, I don’t have to say it, I’m Presbyterian…. “It’s the intensity of religious faith that matters more”. We’ve been to court on behalf of Sabbath-keepers, and filed a brief supporting Samantha Elauf, the Muslim woman refused a sales job by retailer Aberchrombie & Fitch because she wore a hijab.

“It makes us feel good that Dr. Carson is running for president because he is a man of integrity”, he said. Church officials are hoping to change that, unveiling on Thursday a new website — whoareadventists.org — to provide a few answers.

“I think this is a great opportunity for us”, said Daniel Weber, an Adventist spokesman. Trump later claimed he raised Carson’s faith only to say he doesn’t know much about it – not to disparage it. But many believe he brought up Carson’s religion to highlight to evangelical Iowa voters that Carson’s version of Christianity may be too exotic for their liking.

Candy Carson: “I miss it a lot”.

Carson said he could easily handle whatever criticisms of his faith arise during the campaign. “To me that is the thing that is most important”.