HOLLISTER, Mo. – A former 2016 presidential candidate made a stop in the Ozarks Friday to discuss his faith.

Retired Neurosurgeon Ben Carson once led the polls in the race for the Republican nomination.

Dr. Carson was the featured speaker at today’s National Symposium on Religious Liberty, sponsored by the Pensmore Foundation. The event was held at the College of the Ozarks.

Carson says running for president was not something he was aching to do; he said he did it because of his convictions and the thousands of Americans begging him to run.
    
While in the arena for a few months, Carson said he learned the true scope of corruption — in both parties.

Carson said the real fight today is not between Republicans and Democrats, it is between the government and the will of the people.

Carson said he came to College of the Ozarks because religious liberty is an important issue for Americans to consider before they vote.

Carson spoke out against gay marriage and abortion, and KOLR10 News had a chance to ask him what he believes are other issues of morality.

“[Issues include] How we treat people, how we treat our own people, how we treat immigrants,” Carson said. “One of the most immoral things I think is policies that lead to dependency in our country, and we have a lot of people who are very dependent and that number is growing.”

Carson was joined today by Lieutenant General William Boykin, who is the Executive Vice President of the Family Research Council, and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas.