Dr. Ben Carson raised eyebrows and inspired a spate of conversation on Sunday, after going on Meet The Press and stating flatly that he does not believe Muslims are fit to be President of the United States. Carson’s comment came in the wake of the latest Donald Trump-related controversy of the 2016 campaign, in which Trump appeared to agree with a man at a rally who said Muslims are “a real problem” in America.
Chuck Todd, host of Meet The Press, asked Carson whether a President’s faith should matter to voters. “It depends,” Carson began, “on what that faith is. If it’s inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter.”
Here’s Carson’s full Meet The Press interview. To see the Ben Carson Muslims exchange, skip ahead to the 7:45 mark:
“I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation,” said Carson. “I absolutely would not agree with that.”
Carson also stated that a President’s faith should be “consistent with the Constitution.” When Todd asked Carson whether the Islamic faith met such a requirement, Carson said “No, I do not.”
Carson’s words have provoked a firestorm, with his many supporters–Carson has seen a steady rise in the polls over the past few weeks–agreeing, and with several high-profile personalities condemning him. Ibrahim Cooper, head of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Carson’s comments were “beyond the pale,” and that the candidate should withdraw. And Senator Lindsey Graham, another candidate for the Republican nomination, called on Carson to apologize, saying his remarks were “particularly offensive” to U.S. soldiers who are Muslim.
It is perhaps also worth pointing out that Article VI of the U.S. Constitution states “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.”
What do you think of the Dr. Ben Carson Muslims comment? Is it fair to ask whether a Muslim is fit to lead America?
(Photo credits: Ben Carson via Facebook)
