Ben, Ottawa, Canada

This article is good. Now the world knows that there is a sick soldier who does something abnormal like using another's holy book for shooting practice. This is not a laughing matter as some of the comments here seem to indicate. It is a cause for concern and must be checked.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Ben,the holy Koran is the not JUST a book. Many people belives that the Koran is the Word of God given to prophet Mohammed by archangel Gabriel. What would you think if someone do with holy Bible? In Iraq we can admire your religion of peace! Muslims are learning from christians what peace means!

Fatih Unal, Frankfurt, Germany

The US Army has a poor record of indispline. In Japan girls were raped. In Iraq, they shoot at Korans. In Abu Ghrap prision they committed abuses. What else they did may not be in the news.
Will Pentagon look into these matters seriously. Maybe your soldiers were not wrong. They r just sick of war.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

So its ok to go and illegaly invade a country, air strike civilians, iraq army, steal oil, abuse prisoners, kill left right and centre to get "mission accomplished"

I can really see that shooting a book should get so much attention. Seriously, is there nothing more important to report about?

Tim, Oxford,

I do not know why some American soldiers insist to destroy the good things that their colleagues have done to Iraqi people.
This soldier destroy what 1000 other soldiers have done.
It just like he wanted to decrease the publicity of the American Army in Iraq. Be careful guys, you need Iraqi support

Aimen Al-Ibrahim, Amman, Jordan

Thank you, L.A. Isufi. One correction: The Talmud is not a holy book. It only contains discussions of the interpretation of Jewish law. The Five Books of Moses, a.k.a. the Old Testament, THAT's the Jewish holy book. Like the Q'ran, it unintelligible without expert interpretation, like it or not.

Julia Iskandar, London, England

This is indeed shocking. It shows the lack of discipline in the US army. It shows its hate for Islam. If he is capable of discharging his frustration by shooting at a holy book, I believe he is capable of mass killing (massacre).
This is not the 1st time such things happened. Poor image of US army.

Lim, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Perhaps they should 'get over it' as it's 'only a book' but consider the bigger picture. Iraq is a hostile place. Relations are strained. Even minor incidents can spark violence. This soldier should have been more sensitive, if only to protect others from the violence his actions will surely foment.

Andrew Warwick, Shanghai, China

I don't think he should've done that... I mean, that's just overkill. Altough I think he had every right to do what he has done, I think that shooting Kuran was just unnecessary.

Fhazizz, Mhahra, Saudi Arabi

Why is this even a story?

A soldier shoots a book -- not a person, but a collection of paper -- and we all shudder in fear at what the Religion of Peace might do? The soldier wasted a bullet but general is a fool. Think about the message he sent to the Islamists and their jihadist allies.

Ben, Ottawa, Canada

"Nick Mortimer, Toulouse, France"

Sir, one can only become a true Muslim if s/he believes in ALL the Abrahamic prophets/holy books. Therefore, Muslims cannot and should not mistreat the Bibles or Torahs. Therefore, you're comment is either false or people who do "burn bibles" are not Muslims.

jayil, london, uk

Regarding this story. Soldiers are trained to kill human beings so why are we shocked when they do crazy things?

jayil, london, uk

The Army's response in this incident reminds me of an incompetant parent's exagerated response to the every tantrum of a manipulative child. Muslims have figured out how to manipulate the US's extreme sensitivity to being called "insensitive." Enough already!! The response should be , Get over it.

Scott, Durham, NC, USA

So it is no problem for so called Muslim to blow up other Muslim school children with bombs and other countless atrocities in the nake of religion, but the bullet ridden inaminate object is cause for outrage?

stephen, brisbane, Australia

Those of us who are atheists have every right to use the Bible or the Koran as target practice. We despise religion as being a backward superstition.

Arthur, Coventry,

I'm with Paul - get over it.. get reimbursed if you cannot afford a new one - its only a book. What is important is how you live your life. Whether you base that on religious teachings or spiritual values, or just good common sense. And yes the soldier involved could do with a healthy dose of it too

Tom, Atlanta, US

The culpability of the soldier in question lies not in his choice of target for rifle-practice, but in his stupidity in leaving it out on the range afterward to be found and used as propaganda in this way.

Liam, Stoke, UK

No respect! autocracy for others n democracy for themselves... double standards... this is the reality of us n europe n these poor fellas who instead of denouncing these sort of actions are encouraging... everyone will b standing infront of GOD on the day of judgment......

Muhammad, London, Essex

Iraqi insurgents will now "traget practice" on U.S soldiers. It's a never ending circle of violence.

jayil, london, uk

The Quran is a revelation that is entrenched by heart in people's hearts throughout the world and will stay that way for eternity. All muslims take unique comfort from that fact because God preserves his revelation in such a way that no human can ever succeed in destroying it in any mode.

Maj, London,

Europe will be islamic in 50 years??? Where does that come from?

More likely Europe will be much the same, mostly cultural christian with pockets of islam and other relgions, heck maybe there will some who class themselves as cultural muslims.

Douglas Newell, Saltcoats, Scotland, UK

Muhammed of New York, I have read the Koran and it is a rule book, quite boring to read. The Bible is a history book as well as a way of life. Try reading it privately with an open mind and see for yourself, but do not feel guilty about doing it as it is your right to explore all the religions

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Great way to get transfered away from the fighting.

Steve G, Derby , UK

Einstein said it best.....

Tim, Toronto,

Muslims in Pakistan/Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries routinely desecrate churches and burn bibles. So what's the problem? Soldier under intense pressure letting off steam, that's all it is.

Nick Mortimer, Toulouse, France

To Mohammed above: if someone was to shoot up my Bible I would be keen on having him reimburse the cost of it.

It's only a book.

Paul Carlin, Dromore, Northern Ireland

Europe will be Islamic in 50 years like it or not. Better to learn some respect now before criticism becomes an offence punishable by death, as it is in most sharia influenced states.

Mike, Glasgow, UK

just one simple question to all "how would you feel if the same happened to your Holy book?" assuming you are faith based or this won't make any sense at all. I believe the least ones religion teaches is RESPECT for others or at least Islam does. Please read your Holy book and find for yourself.

Mohammed, New York,

Of course there would have been the same fuss if the book had been the bible. No I thought not.

jim, manchester, uk

Abrahamic religions are decrepid, evil and sick. They have contributed nothing to the world but cruelty, war, murder, slavery, ignorence and hatred. The United Nations should work to eradicate all their poisonous doctrine in no matter what country.

keith bentham, wigan, uk

This shows the degeneration of the American army. Ridlimg the Bible or the Koran or the Tulmud with bullets serves no purpose but brings more violence and hate against the ignorant American soldiers serving our country.
Soldiers like that have no place in the American army,or any army in the world.

L.A. ISUFI, B. County .N.J., United States