Should U.S. Troops be Disciplined for Burning Qur'ans?
The services are deciding whether to discipline troops for destroying Islamic religious materials in Afghanistan. Should service members who destroy religious materials face punishment?
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An investigation into allegations that U.S. troops burned Islamic religious materials in Afghanistan in February has been handed off to the military services for final disposition, according to an American Forces Press Service report. It's now up to the individual services whether to take disciplinary action against the troops involved.
The investigation stems from a Feb. 21 incident in which U.S. service members at a detention facility near Bagram, Afghanistan, allegedly burned copies of the Qur'an and other religious materials. The incident sparked days of violent demonstrations in which more than 30 people were killed, including two U.S. troops and two U.S. military advisors, according to an Associated Press report.
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told the AFPS that the Qur'an burnings are believed to have been inadvertent, and said he didn't believe the incident was indicative of "a broader trend" of anti-Islamic sentiment withing the military. However, the AP reports that military investigators are recommending nonjudicial disciplinary action against one Navy service member and as many as six soldiers.
What do you think? If the Qur'an burnings were indeed inadvertent, should disciplinary action be taken against the service members involved? Or is this merely a strategy to smooth U.S.-Afghan relations at the expense of the troops? Answer the poll below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Debbie
1:55 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Are you kidding? We are not even allowed to bring any christian items into their country. They confiscate everything! I don't think we should burn anything that belongs to another person, but let's get real. You can't even wear a cross around your neck in a Muslim country. Respect for one another goes both ways!
Kelly Twedell
3:13 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thanks for that perspective Debbie.
Auld Sodger
5:01 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I once was a PVT, later a SGT and, much later, a LTC.
This should not have happened. Had it happened much earlier in the war perhaps I could be a little more forgiving but at this point in the game there should be a pretty clear understanding of the consequences of such actions -- not to mention that had any common sense been applied this incident would not have happened. I can't speculate where in the chain the breakdown occurred but it did. Someone was negligent. Of course, after the recent windfall that COL Johnson (whom I do not know) received it will be difficult to hold anyone accountable for anything.
Cynthia Wesley
12:23 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I have to disagree. The article does not mention that the qurans burned had terrorist messages written in them. Its not our fault that they mix evil with their religion.
Ryan Smith
1:37 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Auld,
According to the military, the Qur'ans in question had been removed -- along with about 1,600 other damaged books -- from a detention center library and boxed for storage. A few days later, U.S. troops mistakenly sent the boxes to the incinerator. If the official story is correct, it does appear to have been an honest mistake.
Grant
7:52 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Naturally we dont want to upset the people THAT WE ARE SHOOTING AT....How silly!
Tom
2:13 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Not to mention the ones that are shooting at us......
Auld Sodger
11:34 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Grant, it is always important to get inside the minds/understand the culture, etc, of the folks we are fighting. Common sense would tell you to not deface/destroy/disrepect the other guy's religion. We never unstood the mindset of our enemies in Vietnam and it seems as if (in the Qur'an burning example) we are still on the learning curve.
joe
11:52 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
let's see they can burn the US flag kill US troop's do what ever they want mmm let's get the hell out we will not change them
Grant
12:30 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Auld writes
"it is always important to get inside the minds/understand the culture, etc, of the folks we are fighting"
I couldnt agree more, if they hate it we should do it as a matter of course! It's war after all , not happy fun day.
David
1:48 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I asked a Muslim how they get rid of old Korans. Like one that is worn out or been replaced with a new one. Burning is the only acceptable way. When he first heard this story, he was confused because burning is the way it should have been handled. Now, if the was done to disrespect the Muslim beliefs, then it is understandable why they would be upset. But as I understand the story, the reason for the burning was to properly dispose of these confiscated books.
He asked how we disposed of the Holy Bible. When I explained that an old Bible could just be thrown in the trash, he was confused. Until I explained that the book itself was nothing but processed trees (paper) and cowhide (leather). It is the Word contained within that is important to Christians, not the book.
min
4:34 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
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