Go here to read the story. I have to disagree with Mr. Sumption, I am currently making my way through the fifth and final volume of his magnum opus on the Hundred Years War, that the outcome of the Siege of Malta made no difference. Along with Lepanto, it demonstrated that the days of Ottoman conquest against the West were waning, and that the military advantage had shifted to the West. Turning points are important as to morale. If you think you can beat an enemy, overconfidence always to be guarded against, that tends to be a force multiplier. In the Fifteenth century the West had reeled from defeat to defeat against the advancing Ottomans. That stopped with Malta and Lepanto. The high tide and the turn.
One of the big issues with Islam is that adherence to it’s teachings make the civil culture ossified. I would argue that this issue was part of the defeats. Since Malta and Lepanto, Islamic countries have always lagged behind in so many ways. Even their legal systems are so archaic that trying to get something routine done in Islamic countries is so much harder that you have to think twice before you even consider it. Communist China is easier to deal with. Short of an Ezekiel moment in the desert for those dry bones, I would expect it to continue.
Islam and democracy don’t work. Islam was founded in order to unite warring tribes. Islamic countries only have the ability to function properly if the government rules by force. There is no freedom of thought in Islam, only strict adherence to principles. When you train yourself not to think independently then the ability to strategise and adapt becomes lost.
The fact that Islam is growing in the west, is less of a credit to Islam and more of an embarrassment to the western governments who freely allow it to happen when they can easily stop it. Easily.
I recently came across a Muslim man in full dress/cap with a ninja wife (only eyes visible) in a bookstore, whilst picking up a school book on back-order for my daughter. We don’t live in an overly Muslim populated area. This man intimidated the female store attendant through his tone. He tried to tell me to go to another counter when the store attendant was on the phone assisting with his book. I told him I’m happy to stand right here and wait. He just couldn’t help himself. He tried to push around all three females present in the store (including his wife). Luckily only 1 submitted- his ridiculous looking wife in full black ninja attire on a scorching hot day, who submissively walked behind him when he exited the store.
I can’t believe how far we have fallen from the Battle of Malta where we knew who the enemy was and resisted, because ultimately we knew what we stood for.
[…] – Fr. Allan J. McDonald at SOA Super Bowl Prediction – David Griffey at Daffey ThoughtsThe Great Siege of Malta – Donald R. McClarey, J.D., at The American CatholicThe Sad Saga of Bud Light – Anson […]
Would it be inappropriate for me to mention that The Order of Malta was crushed into irrelevance in one Papal decree? What Islam failed to do, Francis accomplished out of spite.
Allah has no covenant, not even with the universe he created (and whose rules he could change anytime, so no comprehensive scientific theory is possible). Men are his slaves or his enemies, and his agents (be they caliph or sultan or even just head of family) act accordingly. Thus they can be constrained by no charter or constitution.
The Germans tried the same in WW II and met the same fate. Strange how it is evil that never seems to learn that they have a much larger and successful opponent to deal with.
“Allah” is Arabic for God. Arab Christians use the word “Allah” when praying. There are many phrases in Arabic which give praise, thanks and worship to God. Like “enshallah” which is God-willing. Allah ma3koon which is God be with you.
In countries where Muslims and Christians live together, they essentially both use the above phrases and everybody is in aggreeance that Allah is all powerful and blesses our action.
Where it differs, is as Tom noted, their false understanding that God is at odds with mankind and uses mankind for His purpose.
Ofcourse as Christians we understand the love that God has for us. And that God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins.
If Muslims accepted this, then the crux of their belief system would be shattered completely. Islam would cease to exist.
@ Ezabelle: indeed, “enshallah,” or “God willing,” (“There are many phrases in Arabic which give praise, thanks and worship to God. Like “enshallah” which is God-willing”) survives in contemporary Spanish common language usage even today as “ ojalá,” “hopefully:” Showing yet still the effect of 7 centuries of Muslim rule.