I know! I know!
Not looking for a holy war but just respectfully disagree with your rant. As a private entity a business has every right to proselytize as it wants. You have a right to choose not to patronize them just as I have a right to choose to.
As for the packet. My guess is tranquilizers?
"Ask the Pilot" over at Salon had a recent column on various forms of religous speech by airlines: http://www.salon.com/tech/col/smith/2004/02/27/askthepilot76/index.html.
Alaska gets dinged on this quite often, and has a stock answer that's even more offensive than the Bible quote.
I was amused by this business-like, brief prayer suggested to the devout by Malaysian Airlines: "O Allah, facilitate our journey and let us cover its distance quickly." It's topical and to the point.
However, since all airlines are cutting back on cabin service, you probably don't have to worry about getting a Bible verse with your peanuts and soda unless you're traveling in first class.
My opinion on this is that it's bad business sense to piss off your passengers.
Darren's got a point. Businesses are free to do as they please and I get to choose which businesses I support. There are several that I go out of my way to support and several that I actively boycott. I can add businesses that choose to proselytize to my boycott list if I want.
The Alaska Airlines bothered me more than most because at 30,000 feet, I really wasn't in a position to "walk out." That was the genesis of my comment about a captive audience.
Ecstacy pills? Take one and you're talking to girls. But two...
Oh, I just figured it meant "Stigmata help you pick up chicks, but too many and you'll die and go to Heaven. Or two means you're ascending directly to Heaven, like Jesus. I'm not sure."
Hi,
I guess it was some Belgian chocolate.
Cheers
This happened to my husband on Thursday. I HATE when people shove religion in your face or down your throat. Religion, or lack thereof, is a private matter. I just want a safe flight, not a religious sermon. It isn't like I can get off the plane. I'm stuck there, a captive audience. If you are religious, more power to you. But keep it to yourself. I do not want to hear it. I was once taking a walk and was literally besieged by two born-again proselytizers who would not stop no matter how many times I asked them to leave me alone. I felt threatened and finally turned around and ran home. Surely I should be allowed to take a walk without being assualted by religious fanatics who have no sense of boundaries or decency? More evidence of intolerance and the drive to get rid of those of us who don't conform. When a white, middle-class woman feels intolerated and unwanted, there is something really wrong with this country.
What is it?! Inquiring minds want to know!