Dr. Ben Carson, a pediatric
neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University and a conservative
celebrity, has apologized for comparing gay marriage to bestiality
and pedophilia.
Carson's original remarks on the
subject during a Fox News interview drew a loud outcry from students
and faculty.
“My thoughts are that marriage is
between a man and a woman,” he said on Hannity. “It's a
well-established, fundamental pillar of society, and no group, be the
gays, be they NAMBLA, be they people who believe in bestiality – it
doesn't matter what they are – they don't get to change the
definition,” Carson said, referring to the North American Man
Boy/Love Association, a group which is thought to no longer exist.
He walked back the comments during an
appearance on CNN's The Situation Room, denying that he had
made the comparison.
“As a Christian, we have a duty to
love everyone and to love them as themselves. And so I love gay
people, I love straight people. So, this was really, I think, on my
behalf somewhat insensitive and I certainly apologize if I offended
anyone because I was not in any way comparing gays with people who
engage in bestiality or sexual child abuse.”
In a statement released Friday, Carson
apologized to John Hopkins University for his “poorly chosen
words.”
“I am sorry for any embarrassment
this has caused,” Carson
said. “But what really saddens me is that my poorly chosen
words caused pain for some members of our community and for that I
offer a most sincere and heartfelt apology.”
“Although I do believe marriage is
between a man and a woman, there are much less offensive ways to make
that point.”