Crosswords35 mins ago
How right was Winnie?
Here is a short speech from Sir Winston Churchill from 110 years ago, spot on I'm sure you'll agree: "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. I 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
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I prefer his attitudes of the English to war - the exact same thing could be said not of the population to the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan (and illustrated by birdie's sarcastic post above)
..there are many people in England, and perhaps elsewhere, who seem to be unable to contemplate military operations for clear political objects, unless they can cajole themselves into the belief that their enemy are utterly and hopelessly vile. To this end the Dervishes, from the Mahdi and the Khalifa downwards, have been loaded with every variety of abuse and charged with all conceivable crimes. This may be very comforting to philanthropic persons at home; but when an army in the field becomes imbued with the idea that that the enemy are vermin who cumber the earth, instances of barbarity may easily be the outcome. This unmeasured condemnation is moreover as unjust as it is dangerous and unnecessary... We are told that the British and Egyptian armies entered Omdurman to free the people from the Khalifa's yoke. Never were rescuers more unwelcome
..there are many people in England, and perhaps elsewhere, who seem to be unable to contemplate military operations for clear political objects, unless they can cajole themselves into the belief that their enemy are utterly and hopelessly vile. To this end the Dervishes, from the Mahdi and the Khalifa downwards, have been loaded with every variety of abuse and charged with all conceivable crimes. This may be very comforting to philanthropic persons at home; but when an army in the field becomes imbued with the idea that that the enemy are vermin who cumber the earth, instances of barbarity may easily be the outcome. This unmeasured condemnation is moreover as unjust as it is dangerous and unnecessary... We are told that the British and Egyptian armies entered Omdurman to free the people from the Khalifa's yoke. Never were rescuers more unwelcome
More quotes from a man that Britain voted 'Britain's Greatest Individual' on the BBC (November 2002)!
"One may dislike Hitler's system and yet admire his patriotic achievements. If our country were defeated, I hope we should find a champion as admirable to restore our courage and lead us back to our place among the nations" - From 'Great Contemporaries', 1937.
"I do not admit...that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America, or the black people of Australia...by the fact that a stronger race, a higher grade race...has come in and taken its place" - Churchill to Palestine Royal Commission, 1937.
"I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisonous gas against uncivilised tribes" - Writing as president of the Air Council.
Wow!
"One may dislike Hitler's system and yet admire his patriotic achievements. If our country were defeated, I hope we should find a champion as admirable to restore our courage and lead us back to our place among the nations" - From 'Great Contemporaries', 1937.
"I do not admit...that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America, or the black people of Australia...by the fact that a stronger race, a higher grade race...has come in and taken its place" - Churchill to Palestine Royal Commission, 1937.
"I do not understand the squeamishness about the use of gas. I am strongly in favour of using poisonous gas against uncivilised tribes" - Writing as president of the Air Council.
Wow!
Christianity is anchored in the strong arms of science?
Really?
Carpenters walking on water and turning water into wine?
And will you tell the "intelligent design" rabble or shall I?
More seriously what exactly was Winston Churchill's qualification for this judgement?
I wonder how many Muslims were at Harrow with him? He was only 6 years out of school when he wrote this.
I also love the fact that he bemoans the state of women when he was so unsupportive of giving women the vote in his own country
"We are getting into very g[rea]t peril over Female Suffrage. .... Nor ought it to get through....What a
ridiculous tragedy it will be if this strong Government and party which has made its mark in history were to go down on Petticoat
politics!
Really?
Carpenters walking on water and turning water into wine?
And will you tell the "intelligent design" rabble or shall I?
More seriously what exactly was Winston Churchill's qualification for this judgement?
I wonder how many Muslims were at Harrow with him? He was only 6 years out of school when he wrote this.
I also love the fact that he bemoans the state of women when he was so unsupportive of giving women the vote in his own country
"We are getting into very g[rea]t peril over Female Suffrage. .... Nor ought it to get through....What a
ridiculous tragedy it will be if this strong Government and party which has made its mark in history were to go down on Petticoat
politics!
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