Ben Carson says heaven is real but hell isn't: 'When you die, the next thing you know is the coming of Christ'

Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson believes people live in an evil world "so bad things will happen to some people."

However, he does not believe that a worst place called hell exists.

"I don't see any evidence for that in the Bible," he told The Washington Post. "I don't believe there is a physical place where people go and are tormented. No. I don't believe that."

What he does strongly believe in though is the existence of God. The Seventh-day Adventist is even so in awe of God that he cannot find the right words to describe Him.

"There's no man who can explain God, or he would be God. He's a force that doesn't believe in dictating and gives you a choice: Whether you want to be associated with Him or not. It can provide enormous strength and power if you do. And He has been an integral part of my life. There are many things I would have never taken on in the medical field had I not felt that He was behind me," he said.

At the same time, Carson believes in the idea that heaven is a physical place because there is proof of its existence in the Bible.

"The Bible says when you die, you know, there is no soul that kind of floats away. But essentially, when you die, the next thing you know is the coming of Christ because you don't know anything when you're dead. If you're dead for a second or a thousand years, it's the same. But when he comes, according to the book of First Corinthians, that the sound of the archangel will rise and that's when things happen," he said.

Carson also believes that Jesus Christ is coming back, and when He finally does, there will be tribulation. "We believe that Christ is going to return to the earth again," he said. "I think [Christ] could come any time."

Because of this mindset, Carson stressed the need for people to "live your life as if He's coming back today. As if He's coming back tomorrow."

related articles
Ben Carson compares worry over Syrian refugees to parents\' concern about \'mad dogs\' in neighbourhood
Ben Carson compares worry over Syrian refugees to parents' concern about 'mad dogs' in neighbourhood

Ben Carson compares worry over Syrian refugees to parents' concern about 'mad dogs' in neighbourhood

Ben Carson calls for surveillance of churches and mosques to counter radicalisation

Ben Carson calls for surveillance of churches and mosques to counter radicalisation

Carson meets Syrian refugees in Jordan camps, says they don\'t want to go to U.S., want to return to their homeland instead
Carson meets Syrian refugees in Jordan camps, says they don't want to go to U.S., want to return to their homeland instead

Carson meets Syrian refugees in Jordan camps, says they don't want to go to U.S., want to return to their homeland instead

Ben Carson draws fire from pro-life groups after he accused both sides in abortion row of using \'hateful rhetoric\'
Ben Carson draws fire from pro-life groups after he accused both sides in abortion row of using 'hateful rhetoric'

Ben Carson draws fire from pro-life groups after he accused both sides in abortion row of using 'hateful rhetoric'

Has Ben Carson said he believes US Presidency is God's plan?

Has Ben Carson said he believes US Presidency is God's plan?

News
Why New Age spirituality isn’t neutral
Why New Age spirituality isn’t neutral

The problem is not the recognition that there is more to life than what we can see; Christianity agrees that there is. The question is where we go looking for answers.

More than one in four US Protestant churchgoers believe some biblical truths become outdated
More than one in four US Protestant churchgoers believe some biblical truths become outdated

US Protestant churchgoers who hold evangelical beliefs are more likely than their non-evangelical counterparts to express confidence in the Bible and its continuing authority, according to new research from Lifeway Research.

Cost of living crisis is ‘busting family budgets and increasing social isolation for children’ - report
Cost of living crisis is ‘busting family budgets and increasing social isolation for children’ - report

Rising living costs are forcing many UK parents to reduce activities for their children and, in some cases, use child benefits to cover household essentials, according to new research from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

Religious freedom in Morocco is ‘substantively limited’, report warns
Religious freedom in Morocco is ‘substantively limited’, report warns

A new report has questioned Morocco’s claims to religious tolerance, arguing that laws relating to Ramadan observance, burial and conversion continue to limit freedom of religion despite constitutional protections.