Musings

Sir Winston
Originally uploaded by schadenfreude.

So, another three human beings had their heads cut off with a knife this week. I wonder what kind of savage could actually do that to another person? How can someone sit there and listen to the screams? How can someone do this to a child's father or a mother's son? Do these people have no sense of human decency?

As time goes by, we seem to be losing our shock and disgust at these barbaric acts. I was debating with myself over whether I should post this. The ever-resourceful Felton came across this last week and gave it to me. I finally made the decision to post it after the latest spate of beheadings and at the urging of my good friend Veronica. So, without further ado, Sir Winston Churchill and his take on our nemesis:

"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. 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 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."

Sir Winston Churchill, speaking on the Sudan, 1899

A little direct, huh? I thought so, too. Perhaps even racist. At first blush, yes, definitely. Then I came to the conclusion that he was a product of his time. A great man, no doubt about it. First Sea Lord, Prime Minister, historian par excellance. But definitely a man of his generation. Queen, Country, Empire.

We all know that all Muslims are not the rabid hate mongers we hear about in the news. We have friends who are followers of the Prophet. They abhor violence and wish no ill to anyone.

THEN PUBLICALLY DENOUNCE THE KILLERS!

Why is this not happening? Why won't the moderate Muslims denounce the violence? Why aren't our "friends" in the Arab world helping us in this fight against oppression, hatred, and fear?

Someone please clue me in. And before you answer, think about your reaction when the towers fell, a plane smashed into the Pentagon, and passengers fought to the death on another plane and barreled it into the ground rather than allowing fanatics to crash it into the White House.