U.S. soldier Uses Quran For Target Practice; Military Apologizes

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You've got to admit that in a country where religion is very influential both culturally and politically that this was a pretty stupid thing to do.

It sure isn't how one would go about wining the hearts and minds.

agreed..and his action doesn't represent other troops.

I'm sure it doesn't. It's important that this is made very clear to the Iraqis and the Middle East.

Absolutely.

[warriorprincess 0]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

[jundp 191]

I agree. I don't think "it's just a book get over it" is right. Of course it's offensive to those who practice that religion. Yes, it's a book, but it's God's Holy Word to the Muslims.

Suppose someone burned an American flag....oh wait, people have done that already and the country was in uproar over it. But "it's a flag, get over it" would be heinous to say.

I may not be a Muslim, but that doesn't mean that I should disrespect their holy book.

Men like this soldier are, IMHO, just as bad as Islamic extremists.

[Teacher Mark 53]

I agree. I don't think "it's just a book get over it" is right. Of course it's offensive to those who practice that religion. Yes, it's a book, but it's God's Holy Word to the Muslims.

Suppose someone burned an American flag....oh wait, people have done that already and the country was in uproar over it. But "it's a flag, get over it" would be heinous to say.

I may not be a Muslim, but that doesn't mean that I should disrespect their holy book.

Men like this soldier are, IMHO, just as bad as Islamic extremists.

WRONG! He did something incredibly foolish as well as insulting to a large segment of the Earths population. His actions do not warrant comparison to Islamic extremists though.

I guarantee you, as a Veteran, that he is going to pay a heavy price. His military career is over. In the meantime every shi% detail that comes along is going to have his name written all over it.

He never should have been there in the first place.

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I'd have to say that the soldier showed poor judgment.

[Chuckles 0]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

Do you respect that the bible is confiscated in Saudi Arabia, burned when confiscated? Do you respect that it is illegal to posses this "book" in certain Arab countries?

Sounds like some people are saying "Respet my book while I piss all over everything you respect".

I am not religous, but it seems one side is really taking advatage here.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

Do you respect that the bible is confiscated in Saudi Arabia, burned when confiscated? Do you respect that it is illegal to posses this "book" in certain Arab countries?

Sounds like some people are saying "Respet my book while I piss all over everything you respect".

I am not religous, but it seems one side is really taking advatage here.

I think perhaps the venue has something to do with the reception to a performance.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

Do you respect that the bible is confiscated in Saudi Arabia, burned when confiscated? Do you respect that it is illegal to posses this "book" in certain Arab countries?

Sounds like some people are saying "Respet my book while I piss all over everything you respect".

I am not religous, but it seems one side is really taking advatage here.

that's about it

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

Do you respect that the bible is confiscated in Saudi Arabia, burned when confiscated? Do you respect that it is illegal to posses this "book" in certain Arab countries?

Sounds like some people are saying "Respet my book while I piss all over everything you respect".

I am not religous, but it seems one side is really taking advatage here.

I think perhaps the venue has something to do with the reception to a performance.

Quite.

It also goes without saying though that you can't exactly disrespect a religious text without insulting in some way all of the followers of that religion.

[adam75 0]

If someone used the Bible for target practice I would be offended. The Quran may only be a book to some people but for others it is something sacred. It all boils down to respect.

Do you respect that the bible is confiscated in Saudi Arabia, burned when confiscated? Do you respect that it is illegal to posses this "book" in certain Arab countries?

Sounds like some people are saying "Respet my book while I piss all over everything you respect".

I am not religous, but it seems one side is really taking advatage here.

IMO confiscating the bible or any other book is unacceptable.

some european contries prevent muslim women to attend school if they wear a hair cover, it is IMO unacceptable too, but that is another story...

now back to topic.

[Ban Hammer 12,842]

I agree. I don't think "it's just a book get over it" is right. Of course it's offensive to those who practice that religion. Yes, it's a book, but it's God's Holy Word to the Muslims.

Suppose someone burned an American flag....oh wait, people have done that already and the country was in uproar over it. But "it's a flag, get over it" would be heinous to say.

I may not be a Muslim, but that doesn't mean that I should disrespect their holy book.

Men like this soldier are, IMHO, just as bad as Islamic extremists.

yeah, i can see the comparison of him shooting a book to killing people with suicide bombs, rocket attacks, or airplanes into buildings

as wideawake stated, his career has taken a turn for the worse. he's gonna be the flavor of the month for a long time in his unit - i.e. on the first sergeant's chit detail list.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Exhibit A:

[Chuckles 0]

Well... How is this any different then this? http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...38-2862,00.html

I can tell you... one was made out to be an international incident, and one was brushed under the carpet as a "prank"...

[jundp 191]

I agree. I don't think "it's just a book get over it" is right. Of course it's offensive to those who practice that religion. Yes, it's a book, but it's God's Holy Word to the Muslims.

Suppose someone burned an American flag....oh wait, people have done that already and the country was in uproar over it. But "it's a flag, get over it" would be heinous to say.

I may not be a Muslim, but that doesn't mean that I should disrespect their holy book.

Men like this soldier are, IMHO, just as bad as Islamic extremists.

yeah, i can see the comparison of him shooting a book to killing people with suicide bombs, rocket attacks, or airplanes into buildings

as wideawake stated, his career has taken a turn for the worse. he's gonna be the flavor of the month for a long time in his unit - i.e. on the first sergeant's chit detail list.

The mentality of someone who thinks this is acceptable is no different from the mentality of an Islamic extremist who feels the same disrespect towards Christianity. I did NOT say "suicide bomber" I said "extremist." Just like an extremist Christian thinks it's acceptable to punish the abortion doctor. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to think of going from shooting the book, which is disrespecting all that it stands for, to shooting the person who believes the words in that book.

And yes, his career has taken a turn for the worse. Perhaps it was poor judgment and he'll pay for it forever. I'm the daughter of a career Air Force man who did 3 tours in Viet Nam. I am somewhat aware of the way the military handles these transgressons, but the basic principles do remain the same in my eyes. Poor judgment, stupidity, Christian fanatacism, I'm better than they are mentality. Whatever it is. It's extremism. And it is the same.

[Chuckles 0]

Many muslims consider the bible a holy book too. Many Arabs are christian. Religion is strange to me. At least when it comes to the whole idea of what is and isn't sacred.

The soldier got what he had coming to him, it should end there.