Story highlights Ben Carson held up ISIS as an example for the U.S. during his RNC speech on Thursday

The retired neurosurgeon is contemplating a presidential bid

His controversial comments have won him fans and detractors in the past

(CNN) Physician Ben Carson on Thursday held up ISIS, a terrorist group that's beheaded multiple Americans, as an example for the United States during comments before the Republican National Committee.

"We've got ISIS. They've got the wrong philosophy, but they're willing to die for what they believe, while we are busily giving away every belief and every value for the sake of political correctness," he said during his speech at the RNC's winter meeting. "We have to change that."

Carson acknowledged his comments were likely to spark controversy and gain headlines, but he preemptively dismissed the press attention.

"They are just so ridiculous," he said, to laughter from the crowd.

The remarks are similar to ones he made previously, likening the United States government to Nazi Germany in that both, he argued, worked to silence their opponents. Carson stood by those comments when pressed in an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer

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