Ben Carson: President Should Be 'Sworn In On a Stack of Bibles, Not a Koran'
Best selling author and pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson defended his view that a Muslim should not be put "in charge of this nation," and added that whoever is elected president of the United States should be "sworn in on a stack of Bibles, not a Koran."
On NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, host Chuck Todd asked Carson, who is a 2016 GOP presidential contender, if he believes "Islam is consistent with the Constitution?"
Carson said, "No, I don't. I do not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."
Those remarks touched off a media firestorm and the Muslim advocacy group CAIR [1] has called for step down from his presidential run.
In an interview with The Hill on Sunday, however, Carson did not back down and explained his position further.
As for the person who wins the presidential election, that person should be "sworn in on a stack of Bibles, not a Koran," Carson told The Hill [2].
He continued, "I do not believe Sharia is consistent with the Constitution of this country,” in reference to the Islamic law (sharia) that governs Islamic society and a Muslim's personal life.
“Muslims feel that their religion is very much a part of your public life and what you do as a public official, and that’s inconsistent with our principles and our Constitution," said Carson.
If a Muslim ran for president and publicly rejected Sharia and lived in a way consistent with the Constitution, Carson said he could support that notion. However, Carson also told The Hill [2] about Taqiyya, which is a practice in Shia Islam that says it is okay to lie to achieve one's goals.
(h/t The Hill [2])
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