Ben Carson Clarifies Muslim Remarks: I Won’t Support Anyone Who Wants Theocracy

FILE – Republican USA presidential candidate Ben Carson is seen speaking during the second Republican presidential candidates debate, September 16, 2015.

Mr Carson is publishing a new book next month which he says is directed at those “who misinterpret and undermine” the constitution.

Carson’s business manager said the candidate believes many Americans share his views. “What we have to recognize is that this is America, and we have a constitution and we don’t put people at the leadership of our country whose faith will interfere with the carrying out the duties of the constitution”.

When Trump failed to correct a supporter at a recent rally who suggested that President Barack Obama was a Muslim, it started a renewed conversation about the religion and American politics.

Also appearing on NBC’s Meet The Press, Trump said he could forsee a day when a Muslim could be president, but unlike Carson, did not explicitly say that he opposed the idea of a Muslim in the White House. “If the reaction is not going to be the same for Muslims versus the others, then we as a society are moving towards accepting bigotry”.

With his insult to Muslims, Dr. Carson has stolen the spotlight away, at least temporarily, from the candidate who mocks women and immigrants.

Despite the reservations of Nihad Awad, Ben Carson also clarified what he meant by his no Muslim president comment, claiming the only exception should be if a Muslim “publicly rejected all the tenants of Sharia and lived a life consistent with that”. He has great respect for the Muslim community, but there is a huge gulf between the faith and practice of the Muslim faith, and our Constitution and American values.

Immediately following Awad’s comments, Carson’s business manager, Armstrong Williams, told CNN that Carson was not trying to “hurt or offend” but came to his conclusion about Islam “because of his love for America”. But we can expect for the rest of the career politicians choking on the dust of Trump, Carson, and possibly even Carly Fiorina to begin ramping up their own Islamophobia as soon as they’re done with Kim Davis.

“I think the Christians are a very different circumstance because Christians are being persecuted”, Cruz said, “And the Obama administration has abandoned Middle East Christians”. “They’re treated like third-class citizens”, said Trump.