Ben Carson Compares Homosexuality to Bestiality and Pedophilia

Just a few weeks ago Dr. Ben Carson was considered the new conservative superhero. This week though he proved to us all just how fickle fame can be. Carson has been criticized for comments he made on Sean Hannity’s show where he compared homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality. In just a few short days, Carson has gone from political darling to political liability. 

Carson made the statements on Hannity’s show Tuesday evening. Hannity was asking him about his opinions on same sex marriage and the two cases before the Supreme Court. 

"Marriage is between a man and a woman. It's a well-established, fundamental pillar of society and no group, be they gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality -- it doesn't matter what they are, they don't get to change the definition." 

The uproar was immediate and severe. Carson was scheduled to give the commencement speech at Johns Hopkins University, students there have requested that he step down in light of his comments. Carson has said he will step down as commencement speaker if asked. On Friday’s “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer things got even worse for Carson. 

"I love gay people. I love straight people. So this was really, I think, on my behalf, somewhat insensitive and I certainly apologize if I offended anyone, because I was not in any way comparing gays with people who engage in bestiality or sexual child abuse." 

Carson is extremely religious, unafraid to express those beliefs, and until recently, unapologetic. That is part of what made him so popular with conservatives in the first place. Conservatives will see the criticisms of Carson as an attack on his religious beliefs, but they are wrong. What conservatives are now experiencing is not a condemnation of their religious beliefs but rather a rejection that those beliefs should be inserted into politics. Government cannot be in the business of favoring one set of religious beliefs over another. 

The famed doctor spoke with Andrea Mitchell and apologized again for his comments. He went on to say that no group of people has a right to change the standards of society, to alter societal pillars. Allowing same-sex couples to marry in no way alters this societal pillar. It encourages more individuals to partake in the institution that he believes is so vital to society. Carson's "apology" and disastrous appearances with Wolf Blitzer and Andrea Mitchell prove he just isn't ready for political office. 

The problem with Carson is that he calls for an end to divisive rhetoric and then compares homosexuality to various atrocious felonies. Carson should serve as a cautionary tale to conservatives who may want to rethink throwing their weight behind another severely conservative candidate. Ben Carson should prove to conservatives once and for all that Americans are no longer interested in the legislation of religious beliefs.