You’ll Never Believe Why Ben Carson Thinks The Great Pyramids In Egypt Were Built (Video)
GOP frontrunner Ben Carson has a rather unique perspective on why ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramids.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was built around 2560 B.C. Dr. Ben Carson in a video unearthed by Buzzfeed today shared his own views of why the pyramids of Egypt, some of the oldest and greatest structures still in existence around the world, were constructed.
Joseph, of the Old Testament, built the pyramids, Carson said, to store grain. In other words, the pyramids, which most believe were created as tombs, are actually great big silos, according to Carson.Â
“My own personal theory is that Joseph built the pyramids to store grain,†Dr. Carson told the graduating class in 1998 at Andrews University. “Now all the archeologists think that they were made for the pharaohs’ graves. But, you know, it would have to be something awfully big if you stop and think about it. And I don’t think it’d just disappear over the course of time to store that much grain.â€
Andrews University is the first school of higher education started by Seventh-day Adventists, Dr. Carson’s faith.
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Buzzfeed notes that the Biblical story of Joseph says he “helped the Egyptians survive the famine.” Carson, in the video below, calls him one of his “favorite Bible characters.”
“And when you look at the way that the pyramids are made, with many chambers that are hermetically sealed, they’d have to be that way for various reasons. And various of scientists have said, ‘Well, you know there were alien beings that came down and they have special knowledge and that’s how—’ you know, it doesn’t require an alien being when God is with you.â€
Carson goes on to explain why he believes God exists, and then repeats a conversation he had with a scientist about the creation of the universe. Carson attacks scientists by saying, “they never have an answer for any of these things,” referring to scientific theories that don’t necessarily match up as able to co-exist.
“That’s the wonderful thing about having a relationship with God,” Carson tells the graduating students. “God has already told us what happened,” he said, suggesting an inquisitive mind isn’t necessary. “We don’t have to come up with fanciful theories so we can take the place of God.”
Watch:
Of course, Twitter immediately convulsed in hysterics:
Ben Carson to ancient Egyptians: “You didn’t build that.” https://t.co/YRTgMEJlGg
— operator algebraist (@lutleylocutions) November 4, 2015
Seriously, Carson thinks Joseph the patriarch built the pyramids… and the Bible just failed to mention it. https://t.co/X0zJbk88kR
— Clio the Leo (@CliotheLeo) November 4, 2015
Presidential candidates should have bold/original ideas on lots of things. Origin of the pyramids is NOT one of them https://t.co/ImrvCM8wpL
— Secular Coalition (@seculardotorg) November 4, 2015
Hi, I have a theory that the Easter Island heads are prehistoric Pez dispensers. Plz make me president. https://t.co/rvj1YZfjRJ
— Hunter (@HunterDK) November 4, 2015
Carson sliding inexorably from “brain surgeon, so must be kinda smart” to “who let this man slice up our children” https://t.co/cb8YkrVXK5
— tres dessert (@tresdessert) November 4, 2015
no reason to listen to people who FOUND shit when you have your Bible amirite? https://t.co/M0595nGk67 pic.twitter.com/r4ShmjAAxJ
— Jon Green (@_Jon_Green) November 4, 2015
Dr. Carson, they literally found dead people in the pyramids. Why would you put dead people by your grain stores?
— Kyle Feldscher (@Kyle_Feldscher) November 4, 2015
Ben Carson told grads aliens weren’t involved in building pyramids No one tell @HISTORY Guy! https://t.co/CRApPpPPEN pic.twitter.com/PSPLYbuoND
— Karen DaltonBeninato (@kbeninato) November 4, 2015
Ah, the republican front runner… ““My own personal theory is that Joseph built the pyramids to store grain,  https://t.co/wufipzjufU
— Jesse Williams (@jessedw81) November 4, 2015
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Editor’s note: This article has been updated to remove a reference to slaves.Â
Image: The Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Photo by Ian Robertson via Flickr and a CC license
Hat tip: Talking Points Memo
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