(JONATHAN ERNST/Reuters/Corbis)
Ben Carson is a man of high ideals. Like many born-again believers, the former director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital is concerned about the direction America has taken, and he has had enough. Carson’s latest book, One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future, outlines his ideas to help turn the country around morally, socially and financially.
Dr. Carson spoke with Charisma News’ Shawn Akers in a recent phone interview about his ideals and a potential run for the presidency.
Charisma News: Your new book, One Nation, went to No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list in the first week. But how has the book been received by the general population, and what kind of feedback have you gotten?
Carson: Despite all of the attempts of the left to ignore it, tremendous. A lot of people who have bought the book have come back and bought a whole bunch more to give to their family and friends. On the book tour, the week before last, every place we went, just enormous crowds of people. It’s gratifying to know that people are waking up.
CN: As you well know, religious freedoms are being attacked on a daily basis now in this country. What can the church do to stem the tide, or is this simply biblical prophecy being fulfilled?
Carson: I think that the church has to stop its “go along to get along” attitude. Nobody wants to ruffle any feathers. But I think at some point you have to stand up for what you believe in. The secular progressive agenda, quite frankly, is at odds with the Judeo-Christian value system. If you just keep quiet about it, they win by default. I’m a person that believes in live and let live, but I don’t believe you should suppress what you believe so that you don’t create waves or cause a problem.
CN: In your opinion, has the church become so worldly and put itself in self-preservation mode that it has forgotten what the gospel is really about?
Carson: Absolutely. To a very large extent, that has happened. It requires courage, just as freedom does. Our nation is supposed to be for, of and by the people, and there is a great deal of emphasis on freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of religion. But freedom is not free. It doesn’t come by simply sitting back and watching things happen. You have to be involved in it. If you’re not involved, that freedom will just disappear.
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SOURCE: Charisma News
Shawn Akers
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