We have a tendency to think the global war with Islamic terrorism can be traced to 9/11/2001.
A little research shows that the Western world has been dealing with the complexities of the Middle East
and its primary religion for hundreds of years as evidenced by the
words of many of our most prominent historical figures. Here is what
some of them had to say:
1: “Bolshevism combines the characteristics of the French Revolution
with those of the rise of Islam. Marx has taught that Communism is
fatally predestined to come about; this produces a state of mind not
unlike that of the early successors of Mahommet. Among religions,
Bolshevism is to be reckoned with Mohammadanism rather than with
Christianity and Buddhism. Christianity and Buddhism are primarily
personal religions, with mystical doctrines and a love of
contemplation. Mohammedanism and Bolshevism are practical, social,
unspiritual, concerned to win the empire of this world.” Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)
2: “How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on it
votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, 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. Individual Moslems 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.” Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965)
3: “Wherever the Mohammedans have had a complete sway, wherever the
Christians have been unable to resist them by the sword, Christianity
has ultimately disappeared. (ditto, Judaism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism
...).” Teddy Roosevelt (1858 -- 1919)
4: “I studied the Koran a great deal…I came away from that study with
the conviction that by and large there have been few religions in the
world as deadly to men as that of Muhammad. As far as I can see, it is
the principle cause of the decadence so visible today in the Muslim
world. Its social and political tendencies are in my opinion infinitely
more to be feared and I therefore regard it as a form of decadence
rather than a form of progress in relation to paganism itself.” Alexis de Tocqueville (1805 – 1859)
5: “In the seventh century of the Christian era, a wandering Arab of
the lineage of Hagar (i.e. Muhammad), the Egyptian, combining the power
of transcendent genius, with the preternatural energy of a fanatic, and
the fraudulent spirit of an imposter, proclaimed himself as a messenger
from Heaven, and spread desolation and delusion over an extensive
portion of the earth.
Adopting from the sublime conception of the Mosaic law, the doctrine
of one omnipotent God; he connected indissolubly with it, the audacious
falsehood, that he was himself his prophet and apostle. Adopting from
the new Revelation of Jesus, the faith and hope of immortal life, and of
future retribution, he humbled it to the dust by adapting all the
rewards and sanctions of his religion to the gratification of his sexual
passion. He declared undistinguishing and exterminating war, as part of
his religion, against all the rest of mankind.
The essence of his doctrine was violence and lust to exalt the brutal
over the spiritual part of human nature. While the merciless and
dissolute dogmas of the false prophet shall furnish motives to human
action, there can never be peace on earth, and good will towards men.” -- John Quincy Adams (1767 – 1848)
6: “(Muhammad) was cruel on principle. He did deliberately what other
men do from impulse. The ambition which tramples on the right of men to
think or to live is the greatest of human crimes. A drop of blood shed
in the cause of God is of more avail than two months of fast and
prayers. Whosoever falls in the battle his sins are forgiven …and the
loss of his limbs shall be replaced by the wing of angels. Hatred of
Christians and Jews is rooted in their hearts from childhood.” Professor George Bush, NYU, great-granduncle of George H. W. Bush (1830)
7: “(Piracy) was founded on the laws of the Prophet, as it was
written in the Koran; that all nations which had not acknowledged
(Islam’s) authority were sinners; that it was [the Muslims'] right and
duty to make war upon them and enslave them as prisoners, and that every
Muslim slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.” Thomas Jefferson (17841789)
8: "Ever since the religion of Islam appeared in the world, the
espousers of it … have been as wolves and tigers to all other nations,
rending and tearing all that fell into their merciless paws. Such was,
and is at this day, the rage, the fury, the revenge, of these destroyers
of human kind." John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church (1703 --1791)
Apologists continue to remind us that Islam is a “religion of peace.”
Apparently some of the greatest thinkers of the past didn’t get the
message.
By Bob Taylor, Washington Times
