It is fairly easy to tell that the mainstream media is now taking the candidacy of Benjamin Carson very seriously. They are now questioning his religious beliefs and examining everything that he has ever said or written.
Doctor Carson is a 7th Day Adventists, and while they are criticized, they are in tune with mainstream Christianity on the major tenants: creation in six days, the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden creating original sin, the Virgin Birth, the divinity of Christ, the Trinity, a belief in Satan, that God inspired the authors of the Bible, the inerrancy of scriptures as written by the authors, salvation by the atonement of Christ, and most other dogma. This will not keep some Christians who belief that any faction outside the walls of their denomination is a cult from shunning Carson based on his religious convictions. Some may remember that many fundamentalist Christians sat at home on their thumbs thereby allowing Obama to defeat Romney in the last presidential election. Hopefully these same people will have noted the error of their way in that judgment and not repeat it—but I wouldn’t bet a lot of money on that.
Probably the greatest difference between 7th Day Adventists and mainstream Christianity is their observance of Saturday as the Sabbath. When the earth and all around us was created there was no calendar—therefore, any day has a one in seven chance of being the intended day or rest—but some folks get really hung up on which day should be observed.
As to whether Joseph had the pyramids built to store grain in them, I would disagree with that opinion, but, to my knowledge, there is no empirical evidence to support when or why the pyramids were built. And to go one step further, there is no way to confirm that a Joseph actually lived or ruled Egypt. There are many who feel that the exodus, the story of Joseph, and other claims regarding the Israelites are merely fanciful tales which have no bearing in truth. Of course Bible literalists would take umbrage with that opinion.
No doubt Doctor Carson had a troubled childhood while living in poverty without the benefit of a father and was no doubt tempted by the culture of helplessness that permeates many within the inner city dwellers. It is perfectly understandable that he would act out as a child, considering his intellect and desire to achieve and all the obstacles in his way; it seems a normal reaction to me.
Back to the point at hand; Doctor Carson is a threat to the liberal community because of his skin color coupled with his political beliefs. He was a wonderful role model for the Black community until the day that he announced that he was running for president as a Republican—that does not fit the herd mentality of the liberal Black community. So now he is no longer a role model – now he is merely another Uncle Tom in the mold of Secretary of State Rice, Supreme Court Justice Thomas, author Larry Elder, and others who do not share the widespread victim mentality of the Black community.
The great fear is that Carson, with his quiet dignified demeanor could sway many Blacks to favorably consider him in the primaries and the national election if he should win the nomination. The last thing that the NAACP, Congressional Black Caucus, and others who feed off the herd mentality within the inner cities of American want is a Black man who challenges their hateful, fear mongering rhetoric.
This should not be taken as my indorsement of Doctor Carson, but it is an observation of the way that the media skewers a decent man who is a conservative candidate and ignores the shortcomings and failings of liberals who could not carry his lunch in an ethical comparison.
Have a good week. Bill Shuey is a freelance writer from North Carolina.
