"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. Improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live. A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement; the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property - either as a child, a wife, or a concubine - must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.
"Individual Moslems may show splendid qualities. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytising faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science - the science against which it had vainly struggled - the civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome."
-- Winston Churchill
That was beautiful.
I'm sure I read it somewhere.
That was wonderful to read. Thank you for posting it. I could almost hear him speaking.
Great bit of sleuthing, Diogenes.
When did Sir Winston write those magnificient two paragraphs? And what were the circumstances? Link?
They deserve a thread of their own, I would say.
FReegards.
In 1898 Churchill fought at the battle of Omdurman in Sudan, depicting his experiences in "The River War, an Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan (1899)." The River War, an Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan is where you will find the quote.
Like the Churchill quote, BUMP.
Well posted. Thanks.
Just an extra thought regarding that marvellous (and accurate) assessment of Islam by Sir Winston: hydrophobia is an outdated term for rabies. Just FYI.