Conservative Presidential Candidate Retracts Stance against Homosexuality

“Dr. Ben Carson is a noted retired neuro-surgeon who has plainly stated in the past his firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and the Genesis record. He has officially declared himself a candidate for the U.S. Presidential office. Carson is generally noted for his clear cut rational thinking, his conservative political and religious views and his even handed non-inflammatory responses. In a morning March 2015 TV interview, Carson clearly delineated that he believed that homosexuality is ‘absolutely’ a choice, citing as his evidence that many men enter prison as ‘straight’ heterosexuals, but when they leave the prison doors, they have become homosexuals, a voluntary choice they made during their incarceration. However, the words had hardly come out of Carson’s mouth, than a few hours later, he quickly backpedaled, apologized and retracted his remark after facing pressure from liberals who claimed that the ‘Gay Gestapo’ and ‘Gay Mafia’ was behind his remarks. Carson stated: ‘I realized that my choice of language does not reflect fully my heart on gay issues.’ He claimed that he didn’t know ‘how every individual came to their sexual orientation.’ Carson also declared that he ‘answered a question without really thinking about it thoroughly ... and I deeply regret my statement ... as a human being my obligation is to learn from my mistakes and treat all people with respect and dignity.’ ... The most likely explanation [for the change]? Carson’s campaign managers ‘told him he had to go into immediate damage control if he wants to be president.’ ... Carson said that ‘I’m not going to talk about that issue any more.’ Sadly, Carson’s last words concerning homosexuality are apparently going to be an apology for declaring that homosexuality is a choice, a disappointing stance for religious conservatives who had previously placed high trust in his apparent unwavering stance. In a later further so-called clarification of his stance, Carson wrote on Facebook: ‘While I remain opposed to same-sex marriage, I have and will continue to support recognition of same-sex civil unions. I have and will continue full recognition of same-sex marriage in state jurisdictions where the matter has been approved by a vote of the people or their representatives…’ From a Bible believer’s standpoint, the lesson to be learned is: Don’t put too much hope in so-called conservative politicians. The answer to America’s problems is not politicians but preachers! 2 Timothy 4:2 states, ‘Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.’”

“Noted Neuro Surgeon Retracts Strong Moral Stance,” Fundamentalist Digest, June-July 2015

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