Dr. Ben Carson argued that legalizing gay marriage could lead to polygamy in an interview with a conservative radio show last week, adding that if Americans ignore the “word of God,” they might as well “toss the whole thing in the garbage.”
“If you change the definition of marriage for one group, what defense do you have for the next group that comes along and wants it changed?” the Republican presidential candidate asked radio host Eric Metaxas on Thursday. “Can you say, ‘oh no we’re just changing it for one group and it’ll be this way forever’ — how is that fair? It just doesn’t make sense.”
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Polygamy is “the natural next question,” Carson said. “And on it goes from there.”
The argument is not a new one for the retired neurosurgeon, who has previously likened homosexuality to pedophilia and bestiality.
“My thoughts are that 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,” Carson told Sean Hannity in 2013.
Speaking with Metaxas on Thursday, Carson maintained that he’s not trying to offend gay people by rejecting their desire for marriage equality.
“I’m a very reasonable and tolerant person. I have nothing against gay people whatsoever and I would like for them to answer is what position can a person like me take who has nothing against gay people, but who believes in the traditional biblical definition of marriage that is acceptable to them,” Carson said. “I’ve yet to hear a clear answer on that.”
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“If you can do that with one part of the word of God, you can do it with the rest of it too,” Carson added. “Toss the whole thing in the garbage.”
The radio interview, part of an ongoing media blitz to promote Carson’s latest book, was just the latest in a series of high-profile interviews where the Republican made headlines for controversial remarks, including his argument last week that the Holocaust was enabled by gun control.
Carson’s comments on gay marriage begin at 28:40.
Jane Timm