As a show of solidarity to the Christian victims of the Umpqua Community College shooting in Oregon, Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson created a meme over the weekend for people to use on their social media accounts, led by the #IAmAChristian hashtag.
According to Newsmax, Carson first posted a photo of himself on his Facebook and Twitter pages holding a piece of paper with the words "I Am a Christian" written on it. Underneath, there is an Ichthus image, which is the ancient fish drawing representing Christianity. The photo has received over a million likes already.
Carson then urged the public to take similar photos and share it to others and use the hashtag #IAmAChristian in promoting it. However, in his daily Facebook Q&A session called "Ask Ben," Carson decided to call off the social media campaign because it seemed an "inappropriate" thing to do in light of the massacre.
"I would like to spend this night together remembering how important each life is – please join me in praying for the victims and their families. Please pray for the healing of our Great Nation," he wrote.
Later, he simply changed his profile picture to the hashtag itself. "Please consider changing your profile picture to honour the victims and their families," he wrote.
Carson's social media campaign is currently focused on honouring the victims and survivors of the Oregon college shooting. According to reports, the students were asked by the gunman if they were Christian, and if they answered yes, they got shot in the head. Those who answered no or refused to answer were shot in the legs.
For his effort, Carson received commendations from many individuals who feel grateful that there is a presidential candidate who stands strong on his faith.
Helen Christopherson commented: "Ben separates Siamese twins, Obama separates a nation. One gives life, the other makes it miserable."
"And one thing is for sure, Dr. Ben Carson is not ashamed to say that "IN GOD WE TRUST," Ernie Kent further wrote.
Carson recently received some criticism when he said that a Muslim should not be elected president. But there was an individual named Walaa Elbedewy who commented on his picture: "I, a Muslim, honor the victims and their families because #IamAHuman."
