U.S. Soldier Uses Quran For Target Practice

I don't think the question is whether it's right or wrong to shoot at the Quran, but rather, what the purpose of it is. Considering the situation, it was a deliberate insult and he shouldn't have done it. Just my two cents' worth. :)

That ia very disrespectful, coz all of hold our religions dear, or at least whoever has one, they do. And so do muslims, infact they r extra sensitive in everyway, so that should be disrespectful. Im more sad on the fact that no matter what the US soldier belives in, he most successfully gave an idea to muslims that he is an american, and america is the christian land, so he is a christian, and this is what a christian has done. Thats what concludes it all, i wish some people behave more maturely, and give some credit for themselves for what they r doing, they r soldiers..

hiya~ I'm a Christian, I understand my faith to teach me to respect others, even if they don't believe as i do....i personally think this crosses that line of respect. if i we're this soldiers superior i would severly repermand him.....how can we expect to win the people of Iraq if we show no respect for their beliefs and their culture...this soldier is being counter productive... ~j

Religion has been the cause of many wars. To think that the military would intentionally disrespect other faiths would be to assume that the military is inciting war.

I would think that someone shooting the Bible is disrespectful so I can see why people would be offended. At the same time, I respect our soldiers so much and think that they must have done it out of anger for a lot of hate that the Koran promotes. Regardless, it is a Holy Book and shouldn't have been mistreated like that.

I personally think people hold religion too high. Maybe it is me and my beliefs, but if you shot any other book besides a religious one, well, people would not care at all. All of a sudden you say, or do one thing to a religious symbol and you are an immoral, baby-killing, kitten stabbing murderer that will rot in hell. Im honestly sick of this country's people injecting religion into everything. It is a pet peeve of mine and i know im going to be insulted as well for it.

Under normal circumstances (for example if the soldier was doing it in his backyard) then yes I wouldnt see what the big deal is HOWEVER thats not the case....What was being done would ONLY create MORE problems and is a sure fired way to provoke and tick ppl off..IMO thats the LAST thing thats needed.. [i]"The actions of one soldier were nothing more than criminal behavior," Hammond said. "I've come to this land to protect you, to support you -- not to harm you -- and the behavior of this soldier was nothing short of wrong and unacceptable." Officials said the soldier claimed he wasn't aware the book was the Quran. U.S. officials rejected the claim. Tribal leaders, dignitaries and local security officials attended the ceremony, while residents carried banners and chanted slogans, including "Yes, yes to the Quran" and "America out, out." Sheikh Hamadi al-Qirtani, in a speech on behalf of all tribal sheiks of Radhwaniya, called the incident "aggression against the entire Islamic world."[/i] What this soldier did was stir the pot, LUCKILY though it was handled accordingly (IMO) I have to add to that I have seen some video recently of some U.S soldiers doign some rotten things over there and thoguh I realize being over there must be very hard for them...their behaviour (some) leaves a lot to be desired IMO

Now, I could care less what someone does in their own time, however, this guy really wants doing it on his own time. He's in the military and was caught while with them. That is something he needs to be reprimanded for. That isn't cool. However, if he was doing this in his own back yard, then so be it. When you're in the military you have to show the upmost respect and act professional.

it was an incredibly stupid thing for that soldier to do. he HAD to have known it would be found upsetting and insulting to Muslims. and whether he is Christian or not (or any other religeon for that matter) he would not want someone doing that to his scripture. shoot, even if he is an atheist! to do that to something that a religous group finds holy is disrectfull, mean, and in that part of the world, could very easily have caused a violent uprising. and the article says that ppl were there protesting what he had done as the Commander issued an apology! jeezu, with the violence and religous tension going on while and sometimes because of, our being in that country, that soldier shooting the Quran was BEYOND stupid! thankfully that soldier is being relieved of active duty and redeployed within the States. i can just imagine the target that would be on his back by the terrorists that are just looking for anything to use as an excuse for more violence. its just a matter of respect. i dont believe in god, i dont hold faith in any religion. but just because Idont believe doesnt give me the right to discount or disrepect what someone else believes to be true. part of being a GOOD human being is being kind and having respect for your fellow mankind. wouldnt the world be such a wonderful place if everybody followed just that ONE "code of conduct"?!