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. Thousands become the brave and loyal soldiers of the Queen: all know how to die. But the influence of the religion paralyzes 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.
Winston Churchill: The River War (1899)
Churchill quote from: The Federalist Papers Project
CONNECT/HOOK 
Reblogged this on Colonialist's Blog and commented:
It would seem that not much has changed in over a hundred years. Some of the same criticisms have applied to fundamental Christianity in the past, but by and large that has moved on. The comparison with rabies is one I have also drawn. The infected dog has become deadly but is beyond reason.
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I believe this was the passage that was read out loud in public in England a few years back – and they charged the British person who did it with a hate crime ! One of the first things Obama did when he first occupied the White House was to get rid of a bust of Winston Churchill that had been a gift to some previous president. Incredible. I wish I could come up with something flip to say – but it’s just sad really…
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Reblogged with the following comment:
It would seem that not much has changed in over a hundred years. Some of the same criticisms have applied to fundamental Christianity in the past, but by and large that has moved on. The comparison with rabies is one I have also drawn. The infected dog has become deadly, but is beyond reason.
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Wow! He wrote that in 1899! Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose!
Best,
— x
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Yes – but what’s new (2014) is an Englishman being prosecuted for “hate speech” because he read the words of this great statesman out loud in public.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2614834/Arrested-quoting-Winston-Churchill-European-election-candidate-accused-religious-racial-harassment-repeats-wartime-prime-ministers-words-Islam-campaign-speech.html
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So true! My apologies for allowing that to go unremarked upon!
Can you imagine such a thing?!? In the western world?!?
If 30 years ago you’d predicted such a thing, you’d have been branded a paranoid wacko!
Best,
— x
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You might enjoy the French poems at my site. (J’etais prof de Français il y a quelques ans…) it was actually the French poets that made me love poetry !
https://connecthook.wordpress.com/francais/
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Thanks, Andrew! I’ll take a look. If the French give nothing more to the world than the French language, that will have been enough.
Best,
— x
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