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A young Winston Churchill analyses Islam
The River War | 1899 | Winston Churchill

Posted on 02/09/2006 9:30:39 AM PST by Neville72

Sir Winston S. Churchill -- the same man who would go on to lead the free world through its darkest hours during the second world war -- tells the tale of the Anglo-Egyptian reconquest of the Sudan. It isn't just an account of the battles and the politics; it's the story of the destiny of the people of the region: Churchill with his powerful insight tells the the war changed the fates of England, Egypt, and the Arabian peoples in northeast Africa.

Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248-50 (London: Longmans, Green | 1899

"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. The effects are apparent in many countries. 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[72 virgins, I'm assuming] 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 - 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 proselytizing 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 civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome."


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: churchill; islam; muslim; rop
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Still true over a hundred years later. Amazing!
1 posted on 02/09/2006 9:30:40 AM PST by Neville72
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To: Neville72

The memory of the Wahabaist massacre of a British force in Sudan must have impressed him.


2 posted on 02/09/2006 9:32:06 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: Neville72

Thanks for the post... best thing I've read all day... Europe could use the likes of Churchill right now thats for sure.


3 posted on 02/09/2006 9:34:14 AM PST by stand4somethin
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To: Neville72
"No stronger retrograde force exists in the world."


Still true.

The American Democrat Party is a close second.


Perhaps one day soon neither will exist.





4 posted on 02/09/2006 9:39:11 AM PST by G.Mason (Duty, Honor, Country)
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To: Semper Paratus
In 1885 a Holy Warrior who claimed to be the MAHDI (the expected one) attached and slaughtered the entire population of Khartoum, the Sudan. The defender who was beheaded was General Charles Gordon ( Chinese Gordon). A few months after this battle, the Mahdi died for no apparent reason (unless you believe it was justice for his misdeeds). It took 15 years for the Egyptian and British to avenge this and bring the Sudan back to normal.
5 posted on 02/09/2006 9:41:22 AM PST by wmileo
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To: Neville72

Sir Winston wasn't PC thats for sure. I just wish we had someone who would read this critique of Islam on the news. I heard Victor Davis Hansen give a similiar critique a couple of weeks ago but I wish we had a statesman in office who could take a stand like this.


6 posted on 02/09/2006 9:42:31 AM PST by stand4somethin
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To: Neville72
[72 virgins, I'm assuming]

I don't think so. More likely, he was referring to folks who sit around for hours daily, chewing khat, smoking, drinking coffee, etc.

7 posted on 02/09/2006 9:45:14 AM PST by r9etb
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To: stand4somethin
I wish we had a statesman in office who could take a stand like this.

The disadvantage of being a statesman in office is that "taking a stand like this" necessarily includes having to commit diplomatic and/or military resources to back up your words.

The advantage of VDH or Churchill (who at the time was primarily a pundit) is that they can say these things, but don't have to back them up with action; the best they can hope for is to convince a "statesman in office" to commit troops.

8 posted on 02/09/2006 9:48:24 AM PST by r9etb
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To: stand4somethin

You're quite welcome. I read everything of Churchill's that I can get my hands on and I never seem to get enough. He's a master of the language---both written and spoken.


9 posted on 02/09/2006 9:51:24 AM PST by Neville72 (uist)
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To: wmileo

Mohammed Ahmed believed he was the Mahdi because he had a space between his teeth. Good movies on this are Khartoum and The Four Feathers. Check out the old Colonel in The Four Feathers. He was the basis for Commander McBragg.


10 posted on 02/09/2006 9:52:33 AM PST by massgopguy (massgopguy)
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To: stand4somethin

"I just wish we had someone who would read this critique of Islam on the news."

And THAT is the problem. Like it or not most of America is still informed by the MSM. Until the crazy muzzi-kazis start knocking off members of the MSM, we'll continue to hear slanted stories that tell us how it's all the west's fault, and that muslims are simply oppressed peace lovers.


11 posted on 02/09/2006 9:55:14 AM PST by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: massgopguy

Quite.


12 posted on 02/09/2006 9:56:17 AM PST by brownsfan (It's not a war on terror... it's a war with islam.)
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To: Neville72

Thanks for posting. I have been meaning to read The River War for some time. Now I simply must.


13 posted on 02/09/2006 9:59:26 AM PST by RKV ( He who has the guns, makes the rules.)
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To: Neville72

"It seems to me a certainty that the fatalistic teachings of Mohammed and the utter degradation of the Arab women are the outstanding causes for the arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly as he was around the year 700, while we have been developing."

General George S. Patton


14 posted on 02/09/2006 10:01:04 AM PST by Patriot Hooligan ("God have mercy on my enemies because I won't." General George S. Patton)
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To: Neville72
It may well be true, but in 2006 it is just sooo "politically incorrect".

An American Expat in Southeast Asia

15 posted on 02/09/2006 10:04:01 AM PST by expatguy (http://laotze.blogspot.com/)
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To: RKV

Here's another bit of Churchillian wisdom and oratory for the ages and still applicable today, this time delivered in Fulton, Missouri in 1946 and warning of a different foe.


"The United States stands at this time at the pinnacle of world power. It is a solemn moment for the American democracy. For with this primacy in power is also joined an awe-inspiring accountability to the future. As you look around you, you must feel not only the sense of duty done, but also you must feel anxiety lest you fall below the level of achievement. Opportunity is here now, clear and shining, for both our countries. To reject it or ignore it or fritter it away will bring upon us all the long reproaches of the aftertime.

It is necessary that constancy of mind, persistency of purpose, and the grand simplicity of decision shall rule and guide the conduct of the English-speaking peoples in peace as they did in war. We must, and I believe we shall, prove ourselves equal to this severe requirement."


16 posted on 02/09/2006 10:04:14 AM PST by Neville72 (uist)
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To: All

FYI hydrophobia = rabies

IOW islam is the human equivalent of rabies.


17 posted on 02/09/2006 10:05:10 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: Neville72

Unfortunately, the civilization of science will not protect the Europe of 2006.


18 posted on 02/09/2006 10:08:30 AM PST by quadrant
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To: Loud Mime
Speaking of Churchill...

"ping"...

19 posted on 02/09/2006 10:08:34 AM PST by Drammach (In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king..)
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To: Neville72

Words to live by.


20 posted on 02/09/2006 10:10:47 AM PST by roaddog727 (P=3/8 A. or, P=plenty...............)
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