Muslim Court

Carson skeptical about a Muslim on the Supreme Court

By Nick Gass

Ben Carson says he would have no problem having a Muslim on the Supreme Court, as long as that person is willing "to accept the principles and values" of the United States and its constitution.

Carson, who said last month that he would not advocate that a Muslim be president of the United States, told radio host Hugh Hewitt he would take a hard look at any potential Muslim nominee's background before proceeding.

"If I were the one nominating such a person, I would spend a good deal of time looking at their background and seeing if it is consistent with the kinds of standards that we expect from such a position," Carson said, according to an excerpt from the interview. "I would take that into account much more than what they had to say. It’s been part of the problem, I think, with some of the selections. We listen to what they say and not what they have done."

Asked whether he would be open to having a Supreme Court justice who practices Islam, Carson said it would be acceptable as long as they have rejected the "lifestyle" of the religion "which incorporates sharia."

"If they clearly have rejected that, will do that publicly and their life has manifested that, then there’s no inconsistency whatsoever," he said.

As far as what a Senate confirmation hearing might look like, Carson said that questions should include queries about that individual's religious background, due to the potential influence of Islamic law and teachings.

“I think if we’re talking about a whole different way of life which includes sharia, we obviously want to make sure that if a person comes from a background where that is likely to be their belief system, and it’s more than just a relationship—it’s a political aspect and a whole style of living," he said. "If that is the case, obviously, we need to know about that.”

Hewitt mentioned Abdul Kallon, a federal judge in Alabama, who took office in 2010 and asked whether we needed to know more about his background.

Carson said he would go back and look at his life and background, as well as his judicial record.

"That can tell you a great deal without specifically asking a religious question," he said.

Asked how he would distinguish between Muslims who attended mosques that are known to be radical and those that are more mainstream, Carson said "common sense" would have to be exercised.