Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has said that the end times are at hand and warned that people with an apocalyptic worldview could prompt such an event if they came into possession of nuclear weapons.
When Carson was asked by show host Sharyl Attkisson during a Sunday interview if he believed the "end of days" was near, he said, "You could guess that we are getting closer to that."
"You do have people who have a belief system that sees this apocalyptic phenomenon occurring, and they're a part of it, and who would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if they gain possession of them," the former neurosurgeon added.
However, Carson emphasized that there is a chance to change this course and "ameliorate the situation," adding that he would do "everything to seek peace" and not take "a fatalistic view of things."
He also discussed a variety of other issues with Attkisson, a former CBS journalist, which included the Democrat candidates, guns, the refugee crisis in the Middle East, and his own Christian faith.
"[I believe in] godly principles of loving your fellow man, caring about your neighbor, developing God-given talents to the utmost so that you become valuable to the people around you," he said.
In continuing his comments, Carson reiterated his controversial belief that the core tenets of Islam as found in Sharia Law are incompatible with the American Constitution because they "subjugate women in a pretty substantial way" and punish by death acts of "adultery and homosexuality."
He also slammed the United States government's decision to grant 900 Muslims in Syria asylum compared to just 20 Christians: "I don't think our policies make a whole lot of sense," Carson contended. "Why would you bring them into a country that they are dedicated to destroy?"
Instead, the United States should use some of its expertise and financial resources to help solve the problem and settle them within their own region, he added.
On the issue of separation of church and state, Carson said "there should be a line drawn" while also noting "there shouldn't be a Constitutional reason why a person can't live a public life of faith."
Before concluding the interview, the presidential candidate criticized the current "politically correct culture" and people who are easily offended by displays, such as a Nativity scene, in the public square.
Meanwhile, a recent CBS poll revealed that Ben Carson is the top choice of Republican primary voters who most value honesty: "I want people to see me as an honest person, a person who is actually willing to express what they believe," Carson recently told The Hill. "The way I look at it, if people don't like that, I'd rather not be in office. I don't want to be in office under false pretenses, just saying things people want to hear so I can get elected."
