TOPIC: Religion and the Boer war

Religion did not seem to play a large role in the Boer war, as folk medicine and rural beliefs seemed to outweigh Christian influence with the people of the Transorangian republics. I think this discussion is long overdue and input is very welcomed.

The Boers were, in general, devout Christians.

Regards
Brett

I agree with Brett,

I am told that before any engagement the Boers would have a prayer meeting and often went into battle with a bible close to hand. They were as Brett states, devout Christians.

Regards

Adrian

Thanks for your input, are their any links or directions to where I could find more information on this? Did the Boers, or the British forces, believe that they had "God" on their side?

If you have not already done so, you should contact the Anglo-Boer War Museum in Bloemfontein, which is also known as the War Museum of the Boer Republics. There is a website and their e-mail address is:
museum@anglo-boer.co.za

Regards
Brett

An extract from "On this day". www.angloboerwar.com/forum/16-on-this-day/1412-november-12th

Amid all the estimable qualities of the Boer race there is none more laudable than their respect for the Sabbath day. It has been a calm and sunny day. Not a shot was fired—no sniping even. We feel like grouse on a pious Highland moor when Sunday comes, and even the laird dares not shoot. The cave dwellers left their holes and flaunted in the light of day. In the main street I saw a perambulator, stuffed with human young. Pickets and outposts stretched their limbs in the sun. Soldiers off duty scraped the clods off their boots and polished up their bayonets. Officers shaved and gloried over a leisurely breakfast. For myself, I washed my shirt and hung it on the line of fire to dry.