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Constitutionalist Ben Carson confused about the Constitution

Self-described Constitutionalist Ben Carson appears to have trouble understanding the Constitution. On Sunday's Meet the Press, Carson got into the following back-and-forth with host Chuck Todd:

Chuck Todd: "Should a President's faith matter?"

Ben Carson: "Well, I guess it depends on what that faith is. If it's inconsistent with the values and principles of America, then of course it should matter. But if it fits within the realm of America and consistent with the Constitution, no problem."

Todd: "So do you believe that Islam is consistent with the Constitution?"

Carson: "No, I don't, I do not. I would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that."

In case Mr. Carson forgot, the First Amendment says this:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

 So, in other words, according to the Constitution, it's legal and consistent with American principles and values for people to believe in and practice the religion of their choosing. Ironically enough, Carson recently defended Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis for refusing to do her job and hand out marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs, yet he doesn't believe a Muslim should ever be elected to the Oval Office because Islam is apparently not consistent with the values and principles of this country. Fascinating...

Based on these two positions, Mr. Carson is essentially saying this: "I support Kim Davis' First Amendment rights, but don't feel this way about gays and Muslims, because of the Constitution" and "While I'm a strong believer in freedom and equality, I still don't believe gays and Muslims deserve equality,"

Ben Carson's statements and positions are doubly ironic because he happens to be a black man. Before the signing of the Civil Rights Act, some businesses refused service to African-Americans due to their religious beliefs. What would Carson have said then? "I support these businesses' First Amendment rights; I just don't support my own."? I don't think so... Supposed Constitutionalist Ben Carson should probably read the book The Constitution for Dummies prior to making another statement about the subject. He may be an expert when it comes to operating on brains, but when it comes to the Constitution, he appears to be a novice.

http://www.vox.com/2015/9/21/9362989/ben-carson-muslims-constitution

https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
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