Ben Carson Blasted for Saying "Sharia is Inconsistent With the US Constitution": Do You Agree?

CBN Staff/Aimee Herd : Sep 22, 2015
Facebook, CBN News

The presidential candidate said "I do not believe Sharia is consistent with the Constitution of this country." And the only exception he would make for a Muslim running for president is if he or she "publicly rejected all the tenants of Sharia and lived a life consistent with that."

(Washington, DC)—Yesterday, CBN News reported: Republican Presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson is under fire for saying he doesn't believe Islam is consistent with the U.S. Constitution and that he's not in favor of putting a Muslim in the White House.

"It depends on what that faith is," the retired neurosurgeon said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday. "If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. No I do not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."

In response, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a controversial Muslim advocacy group, is calling on lawmakers to repudiate Carson's comments.

CAIR said the Constitution expressly prohibits a religious test to qualify for elected office.

CAIR officials say his comments show he is not qualified for the presidency because he cannot hold such views about a religion and still represent Americans of all faiths and backgrounds.

There are two Muslim congressmen at this time, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-MN, and Andrew Carson, D-IN.

[During his interview], the GOP candidate added that he had no problem with a Muslim serving in Congress.

"It depends on who that Muslim is and what their policies are, just as it depends on what anybody else says, you know," he said.

On Monday evening, Dr. Carson posted the following comments on his Facebook page:

"The first issue I want to deal with tonight is the stories today about my comments yesterday when I was asked if I would support a hypothetical Muslim candidate for President. I responded "I would not advocate for that" and I went on to say that many parts of Sharia Law are not compatible with the Constitution. I was immediately attacked by some of my Republican peers and nearly every Democrat alive. Know this, I meant exactly what I said. I could never support a candidate for President of the United States that was Muslim and had not renounced the central tenant of Islam: Sharia Law.

"Those Republicans that take issue with my position are amazing. Under Islamic Law, homosexuals—men and women alike—must be killed. Women must be subservient. And people following other religions must be killed.

"I know that there are many peaceful Muslims who do not adhere to these beliefs. But until these tenants are fully renounced... I cannot advocate any Muslim candidate for President."