I studied the Quran 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 principal cause of the decadence so visible today in the Muslim world and, though less absurd than the polytheism of old, its social and political tendencies are in my opinion 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.

Summary

In this quote, the speaker expresses their belief that after extensively studying the Quran, they have concluded that the religion founded by Muhammad has been detrimental to humanity. They argue that it is one of the primary causes for the perceived decline in the Muslim world. While acknowledging that it may be less irrational than old polytheistic beliefs, they assert that its social and political implications are more alarming and dangerous. Thus, they view Islam as a regressive development rather than a progressive one, even when compared to previous pagan religions.

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