Dr. Ben Carson, a potential candidate in the 2016 GOP presidential primary, said Wednesday he “absolutely” believes being gay is a choice.
In an interview with CNN, Carson argued prisons prove people choose to be gay.
“Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay,” Carson said. “So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”
The American Psychological Association says says “there is no consensus among scientists” on how a person’s sexual orientation is developed.
“Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors,” the APA says. “Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”
Carson suggested in a 2013 Fox News interview that legalizing gay marriage would pave the way for legal bestiality and pedophilia. He later apologized for the remark, but argued it “was taken completely out of context and completely misunderstood.”
“As a Christian, I have a duty to love all people and that includes people who have other sexual orientations, and I certainly do, and never had any intention of offending anyone… If anyone was offended, I apologize to you,” Carson said.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, other potential GOP candidates have weighed in on LGBT issues, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who said he thinks being gay is a personal choice, and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who said engaging in “homosexual conduct is a choice.”
Fred Sainz, HRC Vice President of Communications, questioned Carson’s comments in a statement Wednesday.
“The only thing that’s really been proven here is that when Ben Carson says what he really thinks, he reveals himself as utterly unfit for office,” Sainz said. “Ben Carson is putting his own personal ambition ahead of medical science by suggesting that a person can change their sexual orientation. As a doctor, Carson surely knows that countless mental health and medical organizations have condemned the idea that you can change a person’s sexual orientation.”
Additional Reading
Homosexuality: Nature or Choice? A Review of Scientific and Moral Facts
Categories: Highlight, Homosexuality, Video
Utter nonsense. He’s making a fool of himself by showing his ignorance so publicly. He’ll be his own downfall.
In some countries, being gay is now a fashion and popular trend. Firstly they started propagating this immorality by saying it is in genes or it is inherited but as number is tremendously increasing which is completely in negation of any genetically transmitted order phenomena, they have now shifted the propaganda by labeling is as voice of the mass forcing legislators to make constitutional changes and unfortunately most of politicians just to claim popular vote, blindly stand for these immoral people …
@Ahmed:
Your ignorance and bigotry on the subject is astounding. Tell me, when Alan Turing accepted chemical castration over imprisonment, was he just being “trendy”? Why didn’t he just choose to stop being gay? How about the lesbians in South Africa who are raped to try to make them straight? Or the Ugandans who are imprisoned and even killed?
I’m genuinely embarrassed for you.
@AL
Please dont be embarrassed for me and do not give me news, give me proofs and evidences before I do it. I am really fed up with this…
AQ is right and AL is not. There must be limits to liberty and style of living. Does this subject not go against the Bible and the Quran?
Homosexuality is prohibited in Islam, and for good reasons. But Quran no where recommends death penalty for such behavior, as some bigoted Muslim majority countries do. Homosexuality should be discouraged, but in no way it should be treated with violence, anger or frustration.
It should be discouraged to those with such tendencies, society and environment play a big role in this. In europe you have parades called Gay Pride etc people celebrate this, even straight people join in these days, tv channels have shows for people who are coming out of the closet so to speak. This should be discouraged. Let them live in peace and others as well, You cannot promote homosexuality as normal or just different. Because it certainly is not.
@Ahmed: Most gay people will tell you they didn’t choose to be gay – is that not proof enough? Or are you calling gay people liars? Why would anyone choose a life of persecution, prejudice, imprisonment, and even death?!
@Ghulam Sarwar: Your argumenmt is basically this: “He’s right; you’re wrong.” I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to do better than that. What you have to remember is that much of the world has no interest in what the Bible or Quran have to say, and even many Christians accept that the Bible was of its time, and many excerpts are no longer relevant to modern life.
@KhalidS: With respect, all you’ve done is repeatedly state that homosexuality is wrong, but you’ve offered no valid reason as to why you believe it to be so.
I will never understand why some people care about what other consenting adults do in the bedroom, although it’s widely believed that those with such bigoted views have repressed homosexual tendencies.
@AL,
No one is calling gays liars.stop twisting things. As far as Islam is concerned, gays shouldn’t be persecuted, imprisoned, or sentenced to death. You always ask for reasons, but once given, you jump from there to another without agreeing or otherwise. If its not deductive reasoning then there is absolutely no use arguing about anything. e.g
homosexuality spreads diseases, like Chlamydia and gonorrhea of the throat, Chlamydia and gonorrhea of the rectum, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and HIV etc. Children that they adopt have their own mental issues seeing the imbalance between their parents and not understanding why? And pairs are made so they can evolve, and regenerate into a new generation, and since homosexuality cannot regenerate, these are a few ways of ending the human race eventually, by disease, by mental issues, by death and not being able to reproduce on the other end. I am sure there still are people who would think otherwise, but these are hard facts. As i said, violence is not the answer, nor it is recommended by Islam, but at the same time it is prohibited and for good reasons and we should not promote it.
If these reasons are not enough proof that mankind is hellbent on self destruction, then I really do not want to know your definition of reason, because that would be absurdity to me.
Peace
@KhalidS
Actually, it was implicit in Ahmed Qureshi’s reasoning that gay people are liars. He suggests homosexuality is a choice; this is refuted by millions of gay people – therefore, the inference is they’re lying. I’m sure he can respond for himself.
Let me address each of your “arguments” in turn:
1. Homosexuality does not spread disease, although I accept homosexual sex can. But guess what?! – so does heterosexual sex! STDs do not discriminate based on the sexuality of the individuals involved. This is an irrefutable fact, not a matter of opinion.
2. With respect, if you’re going to make a statement such as “There are scores of studies that suggest the wellbeing of children raised by same sex couples suffer no detrimental effects, when compared to children raised by heterosexual parents”, you really have to back that up with research and evidence by experts in the field.
Here are just a couple of examples from many:
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry concluded:
“All decisions relating to custody and parental rights should rest on the interest of the child. There is no evidence to suggest or support that parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are per se superior or inferior from or deficient in parenting skills, child-centered concerns, and parent-child attachments when compared with heterosexual parents. There is no credible evidence that shows that a parent’s sexual orientation or gender identity will adversely affect the development of the child.”
The Australian Study of Child Health in Same-Sex Families carried out by the University of Melbourne concluded that Australian children of same-sex couples fared better on average than families from the general population on measures of general health and family cohesion, but continue to be subject to discrimination.
In fact, the only so called “studies” i could find to the contrary (and there weren’t many), weren’t done by impartial experts in the field of psychology and child well-being, but by religious groups with an axe to grind. So, it would appear that any “mental issues” (as you so nicely put it), aren’t caused by being raised by same sex parents, but by the discrimination they face as a result of backward, ignorant, bigots. Food for thought?
3. “And pairs are made so they can evolve, and regenerate into a new generation, and since homosexuality cannot regenerate, these are a few ways of ending the human race eventually, by disease, by mental issues, by death and not being able to reproduce on the other end. I am sure there still are people who would think otherwise, but these are hard facts.”
With the greatest of respect, there’s nothing factual in what you’ve just written – it’s just nonsense. If it’s a “hard fact”, I expect you to list your sources. It is estimated that between 5 and 10% of the planet’s population is homosexual – that leaves a whole 90-95% of heterosexual people to breed the “traditional” way. In any event, advances in medical science mean it’s a matter of time before same sex parents can reproduce (I assume this is what you really meant when you wrote “regenerate”?!). So don’t worry, there’s no danger of the population dying out.
4. “If these reasons are not enough proof that mankind is hellbent on self destruction, then I really do not want to know your definition of reason, because that would be absurdity to me.”
I’m sorry, but you haven’t provided any valid reasons, and absolutely no proof. You’ve just made stuff up based on your own prejudices, and everything you’ve said is entirely contrary to all the research and evidence.
And you’re sign off of “Peace” is somewhat ironic.
@Al
There you go again, twisting words. Typical of atheists.
“Homosexuality does not spread disease, but homosexual sex does”! LOL, whatever.
And about heterosexual sex and STD, who is asking you to sleep around like animals, just get married, much safer.
You are willing to promote something which spreads disease not to one person, but to future generations as well, just for the sake of atheism! “big sigh”
And there you go again, “advances in medical science mean it’s a matter of time before same sex parents can reproduce” LOL, Al, you are in a funny mood today.
reminds me of Junior by Arnold and devito.
Even if possible, will be a disaster like cloning. because this is just not how its designed by God Almighty
(i know you don’t believe in God, but i do) And He said so lol.
You have spent 80% of your comment on child’s well-being argument, but only 10% on diseases related to homosexual sex. I wont go into detail like you did, but just for the sake of atheism even if i agree with you, ignoring all other factors and risks regarding
homosexuality would be height of stupidity.
And speaking of research and evidence, why don’t you show me a research which proves that homosexual sex is as safe as heterosexual sex? Since you don’t find anything wrong in promoting homosexuality, homosexual sex, whatever you call it.
This other time you spotted anger in my comment, but couldn’t give a single counter argument.
This time you spotted irony when I said peace. weird.
I always sign off with Peace. Very Islamic.
Peace.
@KhalidS
Happy to blow each of your points out of the water (again):
““Homosexuality does not spread disease, but homosexual sex does”! LOL, whatever.”
– I’m afraid you’re going to have to do better than “LOL, whatever”. If that’s your “counter argument”, it was hardly worth bothering.
“And about heterosexual sex and STD, who is asking you to sleep around like animals, just get married, much safer.”
– Oh, so it’s the sleeping around “like animals” you object to? In that case, you must support gay marriage – after all, as long as they’re not sleeping around and spreading STDs, what’s the problem?
“You are willing to promote something which spreads disease not to one person, but to future generations as well, just for the sake of atheism! “big sigh”
– For the sake of atheism? What has atheism got to do with it?! I promote equality for the sake of equality – it’s a concept you appear unable to grasp.
– As for spreading disease, as we’ve already established, heterosexual sex does that too – it’s not a matter of opinion; it’s an irrefutable fact.
– And as above, you’re going to have to do better than “big sigh”.
“And there you go again, “advances in medical science mean it’s a matter of time before same sex parents can reproduce” LOL, Al, you are in a funny mood today…reminds me of Junior by Arnold and devito… Even if possible, will be a disaster like cloning. because this is just not how its designed by God Almighty…(i know you don’t believe in God, but i do) And He said so lol.”
– Actually, it is already possible – don’t you follow the news?! Although I expect if it’s to do with science and progress, you just zone out. With respect, I hardly think you’re qualified to predict the future of reproductive science and research – I’ll stick to the experts if it’s alright by you.
– And as for “this is just not how it’s designed by God Almighty”, I can only assume you don’t take medication if you’re sick; don’t ever visit a doctor; refuse any kind of medical treatment; would refuse life-saving treatment if you ever required it… after all, these are all man-made advances; they weren’t designed by God. If you were to pick and choose the areas of medical science that suited you, that would make you a hypocrite.
“You have spent 80% of your comment on child’s well-being argument, but only 10% on diseases related to homosexual sex. I wont go into detail like you did, but just for the sake of atheism even if i agree with you, ignoring all other factors and risks regarding homosexuality would be height of stupidity.”
– I was responding to your comments with evidence and reason; I didn’t realise I had a particular quota to spend on each area! Either way, it’s irrelevant.
– And again, I’m not sure what “for the sake of atheism” means, or why you think it has any relevance in this debate. Atheism is the absence of a belief in deities – your bizarre conflation of atheism and homosexuality is a red herring, and therefore irrelevant.
– “ignoring all other factors and risks regarding homosexuality would be height of stupidity” doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a bunch of words in a sentence with no meaning, or proof, or evidence to support it, simply because you’re prejudiced against homosexuals, because you’ve been indoctrinated to be that way. Just because you want to believe something to be a certain way, it doesn’t mean it is.
“And speaking of research and evidence, why don’t you show me a research which proves that homosexual sex is as safe as heterosexual sex? Since you don’t find anything wrong in promoting homosexuality, homosexual sex, whatever you call it.”
– Again, you fail to grasp logic. You’re the one saying homosexuality is wrong because it spreads disease; I simply pointed out that so does heterosexual sex. No sex is risk free. Globally, the biggest spread of HIV is via heterosexual sex – particularly in Africa and Latin America.
– You then changed your argument to say heterosexual sex is fine as long as people don’t sleep around “like animals” (which is an incredibly intolerant, judgmental, narrow-minded, and bigoted statement, btw), so by that “logic”, you must also be ok with homosexual sex, provided they don’t sleep around “like animals” too.
– “homosexuality, homosexual sex, whatever you call it” – Call what? – They aren’t one and the same thing you know. Someone’s sexuality is not solely defined by the act of sex (I can’t believe I actually have to explain this).
“This other time you spotted anger in my comment, but couldn’t give a single counter argument. This time you spotted irony when I said peace. weird. I always sign off with Peace. Very Islamic.”
– All I’ve done is give evidence based, empirical counter arguments. You just don’t want to accept them because they disagree with your non-evidence based, irrational beliefs.
And “peace” is ironic because there’s nothing peaceful in your sentiments towards gay people – quite the opposite in fact. Perhaps your views are “very Islamic” though. Shame, because such extreme views don’t do your more tolerant co-religionists any favours.
Yet again, you’ve not offered any arguments of any value – NOT ONE, ZERO, ZILCH! You believe homosexuality is wrong – I get that – but you have no empirical evidence or proof to back up that view, whether it relates to STDs, child care, or the future of the human race. It’s just irrational belief based on superstition – nothing more. To be honest, I’d have more respect for you if you just admitted you’re against homosexuality not for any rational or evidence based reason, but simply because you follow a 1400 year old book, which says it’s a sin.
I was wondering, what took you so long!
I know the difference between homosexuality and homosexual sex. I can’t believe you actually bothered explaining. you avoided the point I was talking about and started telling me the difference. But its ok. I am not interested in the meaning of these words, I am against the whole concept of PROMOTION of whatever is related to homosexuality. Not out of prejudice which you have accused me of twice, or hatred towards a group, you need to take your religion (Islam in particular) bashing colored glasses off and read again.
“but in no way it should be treated with violence, anger or frustration”
“Let them live in peace and others as well”
What is worrying is that you believe sex in married life with a partner is as risky as homosexual sex and sleeping around sex as far as STDs or other sexual related diseases are concerned. How pathetic is this as a fact!
And how pathetic is your assumption that only Islam discourages homosexuality.
How pathetic your logic is, is astounding, that why religious people go to hospitals. Only a new-atheist can give you such irrational logic, and they are full of it. What does going to hospital and getting a treatment has to do with religion anyways? You think only atheists are blessed with brains!!
When you will prove with empirical evidence based on research that homosexuality is as safe as heterosexuality, then I will give you the evidence based on research that it is not. But you and I both know you cannot do that.
Yes I believe homosexuality is wrong, and yes I say that because it is written in the Quran. But it is also written in the same 1400 year old book which was revealed to prophet Muhammad in barren deserts of Arabia, who could not even read or write himself, that how the universe was made, the big bang, how the earth was made and all the stages, how it rotates on its axis, how the solar system works, how life started, how it will end, what is atom, subatomic particles, different dimensions, how atomic explosion works, the expanding universe, the constants, how the sky is made, the seven layers, black holes, creation of life from water, creation from clay, the programming in genes, the sequence in the development of human organs in the womb(do you think he had MRI scan back then or ultrasound?), the identity in the finger print and on and on and on and on etc etc etc. And 1400 years later science has proven every single word of Quran to be true. But atheists and other non-muslim scientists out of mere prejudice against Islam will never debate on these subjects from the Quran, because if they did, the next logical step would be to believe it is the Word of God, because it is literally and metaphorically impossible for someone to tell us all this 1400 years ago sitting in a desert, one who only learnt to write his name later on in life for official signature.
But anyway, the same Quran told us that homosexuality is wrong, is harmful, and we should discourage it then why shouldn’t I believe this too, makes perfect sense in the light of scientific advancements of today which endorses every other warning that Quran has given us. Quran does not say kill them, flog them, boycott them, mistreat them, imprison them or whatever, which you again and again trying to put as if I hate gay people. I have gay friends as well, one of them is my
ex-classmate, known him for more than 10 years now. Very sweet guy though, and he knows my point of view as well about homosexuality. We get along just fine.
Peace.
“I know the difference between homosexuality and homosexual sex. I can’t believe you actually bothered explaining. you avoided the point I was talking about and started telling me the difference.”
– What point would that be? I’m still waiting for you to make a valid one.
“But its ok. I am not interested in the meaning of these words, I am against the whole concept of PROMOTION of whatever is related to homosexuality. Not out of prejudice which you have accused me of twice, or hatred towards a group, you need to take your religion (Islam in particular) bashing colored glasses off and read again.
“but in no way it should be treated with violence, anger or frustration”
“Let them live in peace and others as well””
– What are you on about now? Who is “promoting” homosexuality? It isn’t “promoted” any more than heterosexuality is. Some people are gay, some straight, some a bit of both. Homosexuality exists; gay people exist – I suggest you learn to deal with it.
– And the old accusation of Islamaphobia rears its head. I was wondering how long it would take you. Don’t have any counter arguments? Not to worry – just accuse someone of being Islamaphobic – that’ll shut them up. Is that the plan?
“What is worrying is that you believe sex in married life with a partner is as risky as homosexual sex and sleeping around sex as far as STDs or other sexual related diseases are concerned. How pathetic is this as a fact!”
– Strawman argument – trying to attribute comments to me I did not make, presumably because you have no response to my actual argument. You really are scraping the barrel. I’ll spell it out again, as you’re clearly struggling to grasp it:
Casual, unprotected sex with multiple partners poses more of a risk in terms of spreading STDs than monogamous sex with one person. However, this applies regardless of whether it is hetero or homosexual sex. So, if you approve of monogamous heterosexual sex on the basis that the risk of spreading disease is much lower, you must also do the same of monogamous homosexual sex. After all, if two consenting men are only having sex with each other, how can they spread disease? So, it’s not homosexual sex you oppose, it’s unprotected, casual sex (whether gay or straight).
“And how pathetic is your assumption that only Islam discourages homosexuality.”
– Please reference where I wrote only Islam discourages homosexuality. If you’re going to respond to my comments, at least get them right, or you’re just wasting my time.
“How pathetic your logic is, is astounding, that why religious people go to hospitals. Only a new-atheist can give you such irrational logic, and they are full of it. What does going to hospital and getting a treatment has to do with religion anyways? You think only atheists are blessed with brains!!”
– Atheist bashing now. Ad hominem attacks – I must have really gotten under your skin. With respect, your above response to my comment suggests you really didn’t understand it. I was pointing out your hypocrisy at rejecting some man-made “playing God” scientific and medical advances, but not others. I suggest you read it again, and try harder.
“When you will prove with empirical evidence based on research that homosexuality is as safe as heterosexuality, then I will give you the evidence based on research that it is not. But you and I both know you cannot do that.”
– … That’s ridiculous!? So you basically have no evidence then?! (And again, you’re confusing a person’s sexuality with the act of sex. And to think you said above: “I know the difference between homosexuality and homosexual sex.” – You clearly don’t.)
However, this is entirely irrelevant. All sexual activity – whether anal, vaginal, oral …whatever – carries risks and can spread disease. It’s irrelevant to the issue of whether homosexuality is right or wrong. Homosexuality just is. It exists. Gay people exist. Seriously, get over it.
“Yes I believe homosexuality is wrong, and yes I say that because it is written in the Quran. But it is also written in the same 1400 year old book which was revealed to prophet Muhammad in barren deserts of Arabia, who could not even read or write himself, that how the universe was made, the big bang, how the earth was made and all the stages, how it rotates on its axis, how the solar system works, how life started, how it will end, what is atom, subatomic particles, different dimensions, how atomic explosion works, the expanding universe, the constants, how the sky is made, the seven layers, black holes, creation of life from water, creation from clay, the programming in genes, the sequence in the development of human organs in the womb(do you think he had MRI scan back then or ultrasound?), the identity in the finger print and on and on and on and on etc etc etc. And 1400 years later science has proven every single word of Quran to be true. “
– I’d like you to point out each of these areas in the Quran – each and every one you’ve listed, but either way, it has no relevance to the issue of homosexuality.
“But atheists and other non-muslim scientists out of mere prejudice against Islam will never debate on these subjects from the Quran, because if they did, the next logical step would be to believe it is the Word of God, because it is literally and metaphorically impossible for someone to tell us all this 1400 years ago sitting in a desert, one who only learnt to write his name later on in life for official signature.”
– More atheist bashing. You provide the evidence, I’ll be happy to have the debate.
– And as for this “sitting in a desert, couldn’t write his name” stuff – you can provide some evidence for that too, while you’re at it.
“But anyway, the same Quran told us that homosexuality is wrong, is harmful, and we should discourage it then why shouldn’t I believe this too, makes perfect sense in the light of scientific advancements of today which endorses every other warning that Quran has given us.”
– Makes no sense at all. Science offers no support to any of the above; it’s discrimination against a whole potion of society; and all humans have human rights – not just the ones whose sexual preferences you approve of.
“Quran does not say kill them, flog them, boycott them, mistreat them, imprison them or whatever, which you again and again trying to put as if I hate gay people. I have gay friends as well, one of them is my
ex-classmate, known him for more than 10 years now. Very sweet guy though, and he knows my point of view as well about homosexuality. We get along just fine.”
– Oh the old “one of my best friends is gay/ black/ female [insert protected characteristic here]” line. And by the way, I didn’t accuse you of suggesting gay people are killed, flogged etc.
Finally, you attributing comments to me I did not make, and failing to understand my points is getting really tedious. Please read them properly and respond to what I’ve actually written, or don’t bother.
Rates of HIV Infection Rising in Australia
People infected are mostly homosexual men.
http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2015/03/science-and-technology/health/rates-of-hiv-infection-rising-in-australia
@Zia Shah:
I’m wondering why my previous post hasn’t been approved, in which I posted a link to an online article stating, that globally, 85% of HIV transmission is through heterosexual intercourse. Perhaps it was a mistake, so here’s the link again:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hivaids/article_em.htm
The high rate of infection does not prove that homosexuality is by choice.