Mchowdry, indeed! there is no justification for this attitude. It reflects a mindset where we pander to emotional excesses more than physical abuse. This is now how things should be. Vote for LMP!

Somehow we have got to the point where we are hurt when someone burns a Quran, but barely raise an eyebrow when someone burns another human to death.

A truly worthy government would worry about the latter more than the former.

American flags are routinely burnt in the US. Those who burn the US flag describe themselves as great patriots.

I'm not sure about HasanDaddy's 'USA citizens have the freedom to do whatever they want, short of taking someone's life, injuring them, or taking their property'... what if the people viewing the US citizen desecrating the Quran decided to nonchalantly burn the American flag.. what would the repercussions be (I think I can guess)

I agree with the rt honorable Mr Hassan Daddy's point of view and I also concur with Cheemy that a government official should not be allowed to indulge in such activities against any religion or religious text, which is why Guantanamo was wrong.

MehnazMD: Centuries of wahhabi mistreatment of Christians? The Turkish empire didn't break up until 1924. Which centuries are you talking about exactly?

Mchowdry: I agree and I pointed that out myself. Governmental servants representing the United States donot have unlimited freedom of speech.

I'd rather protect freedom than spend resources protecting the Quran --- I think having that viewpoint makes me a better Muslim

Cheemy, the 1st amendment also says, "congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech".

I think centuries of Wahabi mistreatment of Christians has brought people's response to what we see now.

Yes, this is an important issue. The issue is more refined than some of the others here have laid it out as.

If a representative of the United States government, whether army official or otherwise, desecrates The Holy Quran or any other widely accepted holy scripture, it may be construed as government action, and therefore be in violation of the 1st Ammendment of the US Constitution, which states that the government shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or the free exercise thereof. The very same ammendment that guarantees freedom of speech places a restriction on Governmental legislation, action, and speech.

Furthermore, such action, if found to harm Muslims or Muslim Americans as a class of persons, could be found to be a violation of the 14th Ammendment due process clause, which by itself is not applicable to the federal government, but by way of the 5th ammendment is.

Internationally, it is an important issue as any governmental action deemd to be derogatory towards a major religion can be inciteful, and harmful to the peace of nations. Furthermore, if it is shown that alien Muslims in the United States are harmed as a result of governmental religious bias, this could be brought up in the International Court of Justice or by the alien in the United States as they are also protected by the US Constitution when in US territory.

As an independent soul ... Is the matter of desecration of the holy Quran, important? Absolutely. Why? Because Quran is held dear to hundreds of million people and by the sole virtue of being a ?human? we must hold it important. "Complete freedom" is a combination of two extremely relative terms put together. Please provide a clear definition of "complete freedom" first. Can anyone do anything about such a US citizen? If he does it in private, well not really since no one would ever find out ... if in public, absolutely yes. The reason the individual decided to do in public is to TELL others of his actions. Others have equal right to respond with what they consider "appropriate". Taking legal actions against him/her would be one manifestation of an "appropriate act".

that's the prob though --- its impossible to have freedom, but then put a ban against hatred ----- its ugly, but illegalizing hatred is a major infringement upon freedom itself

I like the sound of that Bill which condemns bigotry and religious intolerance. Freedom of expression should be counterbalanced by respect.

I agree with HussainDaddy - but this is an ethical issue - one about respect and although i 100% agree that it should not be done, it is not a matter that should involve the government and should not be legally restricted and/or punishable.

Thought you might all be interested in this. It is a bill that has just been introduced by US Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat;

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives condemning bigotry and religious intolerance, and recognizing that holy books of every religion should be treated with dignity and respect.

Whereas believers of all religions, including the Abrahamic faiths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam, should be treated with respect and dignity;

Whereas the word Islam comes from the Arabic root word meaning ?peace? and ?submission?;

Whereas there are an estimated 7,000,000 Muslims in America, from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, forming an integral part of the social fabric of America;

Whereas the Quran is the holy book for Muslims who recite passages from it in prayer and learn valuable lessons about peace, humanity and spirituality;
Whereas it should never be official policy of the United States Government to disparage the Quran, Islam, or any religion in any way, shape, or form;

Whereas mistreatment of prisoners and disrespect toward the holy book of any religion is unacceptable and against civilized humanity;

Whereas the infringement of an individual?s right to freedom of religion violates the Constitution and laws of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives?

(1) condemns bigotry, acts of violence, and intolerance against any religious group, including our friends, neighbors, and citizens of the Islamic faith;

(2) declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of all individuals, including those of the Islamic faith, should be protected;

(3) recognizes that the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as any other holy book of any religion, should be treated with dignity and respect; and

(4) calls upon local, State, and Federal authorities to work to prevent bias-motivated crimes and acts against all individuals, including those of the Islamic faith.

Although I have not yet joined a party, I hope I can chime in as an 'independent' :)

1) No, it is not 'important' with respect to Government. It might be important to private citizens, but it beyond the scope of government to pay attention to it.
2) Freedom of speech is an absoloute requirement for a progressive civilised society. Once you start prohibiting desecration of the Quran or flag burning, you are on a slipperly slope to the prosecution of miniority political speech and even thought-crimes.

Let me add that if it's the government that is actually doing the desecration, this is wrong. Government is not entitled to such 'free speech' unless specificaly authorised by it's citizens.

Government officials should not do such a thing, simply out of resepct and honor for others ---- to me, that would include our armed forces --- there's a respectful way of conducting such affairs (no laws necessary - its just one of those 'things') ------ however, USA citizens have the freedom to do whatever they want, short of taking someone's life, injuring them, or taking their property

Lovers of Modernity Party members feel that such issues are rather irrelevant. Complete freedom means complete freedom. The true test of freedom is when you accept the consequences with an open heart and mind. Vote for and join Lovers of Modernity Party (LMP)!!