During an interview, Dr. Ben Carson, who is likely to run for president in 2016, said that homosexuality is a choice, and prison inmates prove it, reported CNN.
Chris Cuomo interviewed Carson on “New Day” and asked about Carson’s stance on same-sex marriage and whether being gay was a choice.
“Absolutely,” responded Carson. “Because a lot of people who go into prison go into prison straight — and when they come out, they’re gay. So, did something happen while they were in there? Ask yourself that question.”
It’s around that point when Carson’s logic really breaks down. Carson believes that male-on-male prison sex, most of which is usually forced and categorized as rape, completely undermines the argument that homosexuality isn’t a choice. CNN reported that the American Psychological Association (APA) has found that “most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.”
This assertion includes not just the APA, but also a majority of the medical community which Carson is a part of.
After that claim, Carson reveals his stance on same-sex marriage:
Why do gay people want to get married? Why do they say they want to get married? Because they want to have various rights — property rights, visitation rights. Why can’t any two human beings, I don’t care what their sexual orientation is, why can’t they have the legal right to do those things? That does not require changing the definition of marriage.
It seems that, as a Christian, Carson doesn’t mind same-sex marriage as long as they don’t use the term “marriage.”
Aside from Carson’s stance that homosexuality is choice, and using a ridiculous example like prison sex to “prove” his claim, Carson is merely trying to protect the term “marriage” more than the act. Which is fine. He can use whatever definition he chooses, but it’s still marriage.