Ben Carson (Religion)

No Room for Separation

Carson's stance on the separation of church and state seems a bit unclear but leans towards his opposition of the idea. During a speech at his Iowa caucus outpost, Carson remarked that the idea of a separation between church and state was an unnecessary political correctness. Carson went on to make an appeal to Evangelical voters stating that God must not be banished from the public square. (WT) Carson however, mentioned at a speech during the Iowa State fair that politicians must " take the separation part to heart and keep the religion at home". Therefore, as he's primarily denounced the idea of a separation between church and state he still believes in its functionality. (AATP)

Notable Quotes on the Separation of Church and State:

“There are those who go around proclaiming separation of church and state. You can’t put anything up that has anything to do with God. … I’ll have a seizure if I see a cross and all of this kind of crap,” he continued. “The fact of the matter is — do they realize that our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, says we have certain unalienable rights given to us by our creator, AKA, God.” -Ben Carson during a talk at his Iowa Caucus site (WT)

"More and more we see the Right go deeper onto the slippery slope of shaping laws to reflect their own private religious beliefs. I am not a person who thinks a religious person can’t hold office, I’m just a firm believer that politicians should take the separation part to heart and keep the religion at home." - Carson at the Iowa State Fair (AATP)

Israel

Having Israel's Back

After an initial visit, Carson proclaims that he is a strong supporter of Israel and disparages the Obama administration for their handling of the Israeli crisis. Carson states that if elected into office, he would make it clear to the Israeli's that the US is a strong supporter and ally. Carson also made statements about a desire to counsel the Israeli's against divesting land for Palestinian peace efforts and instead suggested the responsibility should fall on neighboring states. (YH)

Notable Quotes on Israel:

"I would make sure that Israel knew that we had their back," he said. "Because if their neighbors know that we're backing them up, they're not going to be anywhere near as aggressive." -Ben Carson to the AP on visit to Israel (YH)

"I do not believe that Obama has been one to cultivate the relationship," - Ben Carson to the AP on visit to Israel (YH)

Education

Schools Shouldn't Be Too Political

When asked what he would do with the department of education, Carson responded that he wanted to repurpose it. Carson's vision for the department is to act as an overseeing body that monitors speech on University campuses. Subject to Carson's discretion, if speech on a University campus is deemed "too politically biased" Carson would cut federal funding to the institution. The Department of education therefore, would be employed to conduct monitoring efforts and report back to Carson. (MSN) Other than his views regarding changing the purpose of the department of education, Carson is relatively silent on the place of religion in schools, although he is admits to believing in creationism.

Persecution of Christians in other Countries

Stop the Islamic State

Carson feels strongly about moving quickly to counter the attacks of the Islamic state. Carson outlines a multi-step plan on his website including: issuing a formal declaration of war, partnering with moderate Arab nations, and instituting a task force to review and amend all visa and immigration policy. Specifically, Carson wants visas issued to expire after three months and require mandatory check in points throughout their duration. (BCW) Additionally, in response to the attacks abroad, Carson is vehemently opposed to the idea of allowing Syrian refugees into the country. Carson thinks that allowing the refugees across United States boarders before procedures are in place to prevent similar attacks to those that occurred in Paris, is a grave national security threat. Furthermore, Carson has proposed the idea of increasing ground troop presence in the Syrian region in attempt to combat the efforts of ISIS.

Notable quotes on the persecution of Christians abroad:

"We can no longer dawdle while ISIS continues to persecute Christians, enslave young girls, oppress civil societies and perpetrate terrorist attacks against the free world. We must destroy their caliphate and prevent their terrorists from infiltrating our homeland." - Carson (BCW)

"Until we have a process that will keep us all safe from what happened in Paris, I believe it is foolish to take in refugees into our country," Carson in a Facebook post. (CP)

"The Islamic State wants to destroy Western civilization and establish a caliphate and that its “convert-or-die doctrine” mirrors some of the ideas pushed by the “political-correctness police” in America." - Ben Carson (CNS)