Religious freedom- it is for everyone, including our elective officials. They have the right to refuse a copy of the Quran. Isn't it better to refuse a copy than to throw it away?

where's all the outrage when people/politicians refuse bibles or gospel tracts? Why is it that Islam should get special treatment, particularly when they prosletyze? bass ackwards, if you ask me.

AMEN!!!

The problem the Oklahoman is having is that Rex Duncan’s' views do reflect the views of most Oklahomans and America. We're all sick and tired of having Islam crammed down our throats in the name of "tolerance". What ever happened to HONESTY? If the man HONESTLY didn’t want it, then why this big “flap”? If the Muslims didn’t want anyone rejecting it then why were they so DISHONEST when they sent out the invitations to accept or reject it? We've tolerated all the "offended" Muslims and their wishy-washy friends in their interfaith (one world religion) group we can stomach.

Joy, what does "tolerant" mean? Giving up your viewpoint for one with which you don't agree?
The lawmakers are all rich businessmen and lawyers. What the rest of us have to say is irrelevant.
It's going to turn eventually to civil war and anarchy, because we no longer have a common belief on which to focus.

John I dont think anybody cares if she hands them out but she needs to understand what I do not want it means, somewhere out there someone will take one from her if that's what they choose to do but it should not be a requirement!!!

I put a copy of the Koran next to my copy of the Book of Morman, the Adventist bible, and The Living Bible. I consult them now and then but I prefer the NKJV. This seems to me to be a non-issue. We allow the Gideons to flood college campuses once or twice a year. The Mormons ride bicycles on their 2-year "mission" handing out Bibles and DVDs. The J.H. knock on my grandmother's door all the time asking if she realizes the kingdom of God is at hand. Then she invites them in for a Bible lesson from her own Bible. So let this lady hand out all the Korans she wants. Its one of the reasons people set out in boats to come over here in the first place.

Having read the Koran, I can inform those of you who haven't (including "Sher" in Purcell) that is violent, hate-filled screed, a sort of religious Mein Kampf. As for all this chirpy burbling about "tolerance": decent people should be no more "tolerant" of the hateful ideology that animates Islam than they should be "tolerant" of the hateful ideology that animated Fascism.

I have no idea where the rest of this went oh well!!

I have no idea where the rest of this went oh well!!

I have no idea where the rest of this went oh well!!

s for the person that did not like the fact that he referred to Methodist as another religion I cant speak for the man but I think his point was there are differences in each religion such as Baptist, Catholic, Methodist etc. it wasnt stated in a derrogatory manner.

I wouldn't call what sher's doing "throwing intelligence." She doesn't understand that people can learn about religions without ceremonially taking a symbol of Islam that oppresses women and is the foundation for religious intolerance in the countries that follow it (try to convert to a different religion in a country that follows sharia law without getting killed or put in prison - that's a fun game). I doubt if she has red the Quran (but expects everyone else to before they can form an opinion).

Why don't we just elect people who are tolerant of others?

Sher, You have done nothing since this started except throw your intelligence at everyone. Lawmakers are no different just because they hold an elected position they are human beings and if they choose to not accept the Quran then so be it.Do they have to read the Quran and have lived in a Muslim nation to know that they do not wish to be given this gift? Of course this man does not represent every person in Oklahoma's view but he does represent a huge portion of it. If we are ignorant it is by choice and nobody should have a religion shoved down their throat educational or not. Sher you can argue your point all day long and for years to come but not everyone agrees with you and I do not think for one minute that you will change very many peoples mind about this issue!

Kudos, Rep. Duncan. Thank you for standing up for absolute Truth and the Biblical teachings upon which our country was founded. You have my respect, my support and my thanks!
Jo Ewy
Piedmont, OK

Thank you Bill. Why is it that nobody wants to live in a theocracy but the minute religion might get thrown into things everybody gets crazy and starts wanting politicans to accept all religions except christanity? It's crazy. Remember people, this is a country where you have the freedom of religion regardless of your position in government.

Religion has no place in the legislative process regardless of the religion. Our government is not intended to be a theocracy and no religion should be forced upon the legislators.

Sher, how tolerant and understanding of a faith is Islam currently?

Anyone who refuses to learn about something chooses to remain ignorant. Some of the comments here are made by people who have never read the Quran, have never lived in a Muslim country, nor known any Muslim people. Lawmakers should set an example for others by learning as much as they can about anything pertinent to the world today. If they don't understand it, how can they possibly make decisions regarding a situation or a group of people? I hate ignorance.

Well stated Judith !!!

I heard what Mr Duncan said on tv. He was absolutely right. When did we get so polically correct that we forget who we are and what we believe. I am not "against" anybody, but I'm not "for" the Quran, neither is he. Welcome to America! The land of the free...

Thank you for the info ! This discussion is going nowhere these people just do not get that we have a right to refuse something. I do think from here on out everything should be refused because if your a Republican and refuse it you will be crucified for it !!

Robin, yes a politician does have the right to refuse any gifts, and I wish they would all refuse gifts from lobbyists, contractors, etc. That's too much to hope for as regards most of them.

Before anyone say's anything I am pretty sure this question is considered a very stupid and childish question, but if anyone knows the answer please fill me in as I am no genius . Is there a way that this issue can be voted on by the people of Oklahoma? When I say issue I guess I mean does a politician have the right to refuse what he does not want without regard to religion,sex,race etc? Does anyone know the answer to this ?

Although I don't at all agree with Fred Phelps, at least he doesn't kill people in the name of God. Sure he's hateful but shall we compare radical Christianity in modern times with radical Islam? We allow Mosques to be built anytime, anywhere in Oklahoma, try to construct a church in Saudi Arabia or Iran without getting killed or kicked out of the country.
And Sher, you're right the Qur'an does mention Jesus. It talks about how his death on the cross (for the sins of all mankind) was simply an illusion.

Unlike Rev Fred Phelps, I'll leave judgement up to God. Hopefully Christians don't have the corner market on compassion, live it learn it.

Yes, Clark, the Muslim community needs to get rid of it's hate. They need to learn good old fashioned Christian compassion like the good Rev. Fred Phelps.

Can't we all get along?

Refusing is ok. Sounding off about another religion is not. Did anybody besides me notice that he referred to "Methodists" as another religion than "Baptists"? I thought they were all Christians?!!? Sounds not only intolerant, but uninformed to me. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Although I don't look at either the gifts of Bibles of Qurans as lobbyist gifts, I found the following interesting: www.housedistrict31.com Murphey Listed as #1 Legislator To Refuse Gifts

July 30, 2007

GUTHRIE - During the first six months of this year registered lobbyists bestowed nearly $120,000 of gifts on Oklahoma legislators. According to a recent report published in the Daily Oklahoman State Representative Jason Murphey (R-Guthrie) was #1 in the House and the Senate when it came to not accepting those gifts.

I support their right to refuse this gift. If someone took the Holy Bible and used it for toilet paper hardly anyone would care. The Muslim community needs to work to get rid of it's hate. The hate for the Jewish people. Physician heal thyself, then talk to me.

Sorry about the dyslexia! Lol

This man has the right to say no to any gift . Just because he is a Republican politician does not mean that he should go against what he beleives in. And in this case it isn't about manners, but about choice !!! Why is he expected to educate himself on something he is not interested in knowing? Yes Jesus is the most recognized name in the world, I wonder why that is??? I do not think this man is afraid of anything he just does not want the book !!

Well Sher, hopefully voters will remember this when it's time for them to be replaced. I for one will cast a vote to replace mine for accepting "gifts" from special interest groups.

Well Sher, hopefully voters will remember this when it's time for them to be replaced. I for one will cast a vote to replace mine for accepting "gifts" from special interest groups.

Well Sher, hopefully voters will remember this when it's time for them to be replaced. I for one will cast a vote to replace mine for accepting "gifts" from special interest groups.

There are a large number of Oklahomans who are completely disgusted by the fact that their representatives are afraid to learn about another religion, show tolerance to its members, and educate themselves about their constituents' needs, too. There are representatives who have accepted Bibles, so they need to be fair and accept these books as well. Some of you apparently don't know that the Quran contains a lot of scripture written about Jesus. He is highly revered in Islam.

Way to go Rick!!! That's the biggest problem with politics in Oklahoma and nation wide!

Maybe I should call my representative and ask why he accepted his? He's not representing me by doing so. I don't feel like ANY representative should accept gifts from ANY special interest groups...period!

If I could find the article from yesterday everyone would understand that there is a large number of Oklahomans who wish that the legislators would have the right to just say they don't want the Quarans. I'm not saying the Rep. Duncan was not rude in the way he approached the issue because he was but not all of them approached the issue the same way. Just let them make a decision without it coming down to them being intolerant. They can say no thanks. It's their right.

Just you try to give a Bible to one of those Musliums, they will consider it an insult. If they try to act P.C. and do accept it, they will trash it as soon as they get out of site.

Move to Tulsa David. PLEASE!

Way to go Rep. Duncan, my only regret is that you are not my representative and that I cannot vote for you.