Carson Upset Apple iOS 9.1 Does Not Include Jesus Emoji
In a recent statement, Presidential candidate Ben Carson spoke out against Apple after its recent release of the beta version of iOS 9.1 to developers for apparently its lack of a “Jesus” emoticon, saying, “This is the worst thing since Obamacare.”
For the technologically illiterate, emoticons are characters usually sent via text which depict facial expressions, common objects like a heroin needle, places, types of weather, and animals. These characters are intended to convey a clearer picture of what the sender is trying to say. For example, ten smiling/crying faces in a row followed by ten clapping hands means the sender finds something absolutely hilarious.
Among the new characters offered is a nerd, a taco (finally), and a Spock hand. But notably missing, according to Carson, is the man “whose sacrifice makes him far more significant than a smiling pile of poo.” The former neurosurgeon said, “It’s clear Apple is mainly concerned with appeasing the world’s homosexuals rather than acknowledging the Christian values upon which our nation was founded.” He further expressed concern that the inclusion of two men holding hands and two women holding hands presses on the seems of our moral fabric. “What’s next, a bestiality character?” he asked.
Apple’s Tim Cook could not be reached for comment, but the company has stated it has received little negative feedback on the new characters.
With the GOP Presidential race in full swing, and with the embrace of presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee’s fundamentalist platform, it remains important for candidates like Carson to distinguish themselves to a largely conservative demographic. “We have a company using its tools to intimidate conservative Christians from speaking out, and it’s destroying the integrity and sanctity of this nation,” said Carson, who later reiterated his concerns in a tweet followed by three praying hands. Without a Jesus emoticon, he says, Christians will find it more difficult to stand up for their beliefs through text and Twitter.
