To answer your question"will mankind ever be able to shake off this millstone ?
No. The following was printed in the Washington Post, written by Muqtedar Khan, Director of Islamic studies, University of Delaware.
// Along with the idea of God and prophets, the Quran is the thing that Muslims hold the dearest. My children have been listening to it since even before they were born. I use to recite it to them while they were still in the womb. Their children will be reciting it to them when they will be lowered in to their tomb. Believe me, there is nothing more precious to Muslims than the Quran, and watching people toss it into fire, will be horrifying. I would rather burn in fire myself, than watch a Quran burn.//