"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 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."
Sir Winston Churchill (The River War, first edition, Vol. II, pages 248−50, London:
Longmans, Green Co., 1899).
Same stuff, different century. The excesses of the fundamentalist versions of the Islamic faith are
unlikely to change until their own get sick of the business of 9 year old suicide bombers, and clans
that encourage such. The Christians got it out of their systems, pretty much, back in the 1600s. It's your
turn, Hadji....
