Winston Churchill's views on Islam

Walt's attention has just been drawn to a passage from The River War, the second book authored by Winston Churchill. It was an account of the British reconquest of the Sudan, written in 1899 while Churchill was still an officer in the British army.

The book provides a history of the British involvement in the Sudan and the conflict between the British forces led by Lord Kitchener and Islamic Jihadists led by Muhammad Ahmad, a self-proclaimed second prophet of Islam. Ahmad had embarked on a campaign to conquer Egypt, to drive out the non-Muslim infidels and make way for the second coming of the Islamic Mahdi. Not unlike the aims of the Muslim Brotherhood which has just now come into power in Egypt, thanks to the "Arab spring".

Here's what Churchill had to say about "Mohammedanism", which is what Islam was called, back in the day.

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 [= Sharia law. Walt] 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 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 civilisation of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilisation of ancient Rome.

Churchill wrote his book in 1899. But as you read this, do you not think it could have been written today? Well, maybe not. In this era of political correctness, what publisher would put those "racist" thoughts into print? And if they were printed, how long would it be before Churchill was summoned to appear in front of a "human rights" tribunal. About eight seconds, would be Walt's guess.

Click here to read more about Islamofascism on the Hyscience website.