“ Indeed it is evident that Christianity, however degraded and distorted by cruelty and intolerance, must always exert a modifying influence on men's passions, and protect them from the more violent forms of fanatical fever, as we are protected from smallpox by vaccination. ”
Winston Churchill, The Story of the Malakand Field Force (1898). copy citation
| Author | Winston Churchill |
|---|---|
| Source | The Story of the Malakand Field Force |
| Topic | Christianity passions vaccination |
| Date | 1898 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | https://www.gutenberg.org/files/9404/9404-h/9404-h.htm |
Context
“Several generations have elapsed since the nations of the West have drawn the sword in religious controversy, and the evil memories of the gloomy past have soon faded in the strong, clear light of Rationalism and human sympathy. Indeed it is evident that Christianity, however degraded and distorted by cruelty and intolerance, must always exert a modifying influence on men's passions, and protect them from the more violent forms of fanatical fever, as we are protected from smallpox by vaccination. But the Mahommedan religion increases, instead of lessening, the fury of intolerance. It was originally propagated by the sword, and ever since, its votaries have been subject, above the people of all other creeds, to this form of madness.”
source
Meaning and analysis
