Painting Of Ben Carson And Jesus Draws Attention

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Although the economy was the focus of Tuesday night's debate, it's Ben Carson's religion that his supporters connect with the most. Just this week, a painting of Carson and Jesus inside his Maryland home got a lot of attention.

Mary Bubala has more.

A photograph of a painting in Carson's Maryland home depicts Jesus standing over him. The painting has been hanging in his Upperco home since 2009 and was there when WJZ sat down with Carson in January and he spoke of his deep religious convictions.

"I always pray, every day, more than once a day for wisdom and that is the way that God has always guided my life," he said.

Carson backers say they're connecting with him because of the way he wears his spirituality on his sleeve.

"He has no qualms about saying he believes in God and Jesus is his savior. He has no problem with that," said one supporter.

"The Bible says you don't put religion and politics together but in the real world, we need God regardless of whether you are a politician or not," said another.

Dr. Richard Vatz, a professor at Towson University, says Carson's religion is resonating with the electorate.

"I think it gives him a lot of leeway on claims he makes if people have some doubt. They know how religious he is and they give him the benefit of the doubt," Vatz said.

Just last week, Carson said the person he'd most like to share a drink with is Jesus but some voters are put off by how Carson mixes religion and politics.

"I wouldn't base my own tax plan on what it says in the Bible," said one.

"Politicians and God do not mix," said another.

Carson says he identifies himself as a Seventh Day Adventist. He also told reporters he's done answering questions about his life story.