"Individual Muslims 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."
by Winston Churchill in his book "The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan", First Edition, 1899
Quote from: kroz on December 09, 2015, 12:14:14 PM
"Individual Muslims 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."
by Winston Churchill in his book "The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan", First Edition, 1899
What you say, and I agree, is that for a Muslim to assimilate like our ancestors did means that person must turn his/her back on the tenets of Islam. Therefore, that person becomes an infidel in the eyes of the radical Islamist. I believe that is the core of why we do not see more "moderate" Muslims not speak out. It shows the insanity of that faith. It is proven out in what we see in countries run by Muslims. A recent historical example is how Turkey has digressed since they elected an Islamic government.
Quote from: supsalemgr on December 09, 2015, 12:45:48 PM
What you say, and I agree, is that for a Muslim to assimilate like our ancestors did means that person must turn his/her back on the tenets of Islam. Therefore, that person becomes an infidel in the eyes of the radical Islamist. I believe that is the core of why we do not see more "moderate" Muslims not speak out. It shows the insanity of that faith. It is proven out in what we see in countries run by Muslims. A recent historical example is how Turkey has digressed since they elected an Islamic government.
I totally agree.
If a muslim speaks out against "radical islamists" it makes them look weak in their faith and uncommitted to the teachings of the Qu'ran. They realize that those said to be "radicals" are actually just being pure to the faith. They cannot condemn them. That would be tantamount to denying their faith!
True adherers to Islam take the Qu'ran literally and obey the fatwas and calls to a caliphate. They are "missionaries" of their faith.
Turkey is an intriguing example of what transformational leadership can achieve.
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In 1915, Winston Churchill ordered the Royal Navy to breach the Ottoman Naval defenses in the Dardanelles Straight, in order to bombard Constantinople and force the Ottoman Empire out of the Great War. It was a bold gamble and one man stood in the way, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the Ottoman Commander on the Gallipoli Peninsula. His fierce resistance defeated the British, inflicting 250, 000+ casualties in less than six months.
Following the war, the Ottomans were deposed and Kemal became the first President of Turkey in 1923. Among his revolutionary changes were the following:
*The abolition of the Caliphate.
*The subordination of Sharia Law to the civil law of Turkey.
*The separation of the Islamic religion from the State.
*The secularization of education by mixing the sexes and elevating non-religious subjects in the classroom
*The subordination of the Mullahs to the civil authority.
*The closure of the Darvish Lodges.
*The encouragement of the wearing of western attire in public.
Reflecting on his actions, Kemal Pasha said the following;"The religion of Islam will be levitated when it ceases to be a political instrument of the state."
Hope springs eternal even for the Muslims. All that is necessary is iron will and dynamic leadership.
Quote from: Walter Josh on December 09, 2015, 07:45:09 PM
Turkey is an intriguing example of what transformational leadership can achieve.
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In 1915, Winston Churchill ordered the Royal Navy to breach the Ottoman Naval defenses in the Dardanelles Straight, in order to bombard Constantinople and force the Ottoman Empire out of the Great War. It was a bold gamble and one man stood in the way, Mustafa Kemal Pasha, the Ottoman Commander on the Gallipoli Peninsula. His fierce resistance defeated the British, inflicting 250, 000+ casualties in less than six months.
Following the war, the Ottomans were deposed and Kemal became the first President of Turkey in 1923. Among his revolutionary changes were the following:
*The abolition of the Caliphate.
*The subordination of Sharia Law to the civil law of Turkey.
*The separation of the Islamic religion from the State.
*The secularization of education by mixing the sexes and elevating non-religious subjects in the classroom
*The subordination of the Mullahs to the civil authority.
*The closure of the Darvish Lodges.
*The encouragement of the wearing of western attire in public.
Reflecting on his actions, Kemal Pasha said the following;"The religion of Islam will be levitated when it ceases to be a political instrument of the state."
Hope springs eternal even for the Muslims. All that is necessary is iron will and dynamic leadership.
Interesting info, Walter. Thanks for the post.
Erdogan scares me. He is a charismatic leader that has the potential to become a dominating force in the region. He is devious and could use the rising caliphate to his advantage. I think he is the most dangerous leader in the ME. I am not sure the west is appropriately suspicious of him.
Islam is a convenient weapon in the arsenal of all kinds of evil people. Erdogan will use all means to achieve his goals. His willingness to challenge Putin shows his boldness. He has greater aspirations for Turkey. And he is likely facilitating ISIS more than we realize.
Erdogan feigns alliance with the West while also giving support to the East. He is NOT to be trusted!