Ben Carson, appearing on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday, said he would be fine with a Muslim being president if that person were to “subjugate their religious beliefs to our constitution.” (RELATED: Carson: Islam Is Not Consistent With The Constitution)
Carson also criticized Sharia law, suggesting, “When you have something that’s against the rights of women, against the rights of gays, subjugates other religions, and a host of things that aren’t compatible with our constitution, why in fact would you take that chance?” (RELATED: Carson Blames Political Correctness For Outrage Over Muslim Comments)
Carson further claimed that “it doesn’t matter their religious background, if they accept American values and principles and are willing to subjugate their religious beliefs to our constitution, I have no problem with them.”
Martha Raddatz: I want to go back to your controversial comments on the possibility of a Muslim president. The question seemed quite clear. The question was, should a president’s faith mattered? You said, “I guess it depends on what that faith is.” The question was, “So, do you believe Islam is consistent with the constitution?” And you said, “No, I did not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that.” Do you stand by that now?
Ben Carson: Well, first of all, you know what I said is on a transcript and it’s there for anybody to see.
Raddatz: I’m reading the transcript Dr. Carson, that’s exactly what you said.
Carson: Read the paragraph before that. Where I said, anybody, it doesn’t matter their religious background, if they accept American values and principles and are willing to subjugate their religious beliefs to our constitution, I have no problem with them. Why do you guys always leave that out, I wonder?
Raddatz: I don’t think we do Dr. Carson and it was really quite clear, “I would not advocate we put a Muslim in charge of this nation.” You also talked about Sharia law, that they must denounce Sharia law. Do you assume that all Muslims embrace Sharia law?
Carson: Well, let’s, what we should be talking about Islam and the tenets of Islam and where do they come from? They come from Sharia, they come from the Koran, they come from life works and examples of Muhammad. They come the Fatwas, which is the writings of the scholars, you know, and if you go back and you look at, what I would like is for somebody to show me an approved Islamic text that opposes Sharia. Let me see it. If you can show me that, I will begin to alter my thinking on this, but right now, when you have something that’s against the rights of women, against the rights of gays, subjugates other religions and a host of things that aren’t compatible with our constitution, why in fact would you take that chance? That’s one of the reasons…