Uproar Over Pilot's In-Flight Religion Comments

foxnews.com/AP ^ | 2/8/2004

[Born Conservative]

NEW YORK

[Modernman]

Sure. Shake the dust off and move on to the next person.

Fair enough.

[MineralMan]

T-shirts are just silly. Here's another one:

[MineralMan]

"You probably know why if you've read True Believer by Eric Hoffer.

A powerful way to validate our beliefs is to proselytize others. Somehow our brain thinks that the more people believe a concept, the more accurate the concept is.

"

Yes, thanks, I read it. And that's the way all philosophies spread, it seems. It's just that I prefer to do other things than listen to someone ramble about his beliefs on an airplane, where I can't just leave.

I close the door on all JW's who come to my house. That's my privilege...not to listen to folks tell me to believe as they do.

[MineralMan]

"Sure. Shake the dust off and move on to the next person."

Great. Then we'll get along just fine.

[Mr. Bird]

So the last thing you want is for someone to tell you about Jesus when you are afraid you might die

Umm, no. The last thing I want is to be lined up according to my faith in a tube 6 miles in the air with some bloodthirsty Islamist asking the questions.

Turns out this pilot had honest intentions, and there was no actual harm done. But it was a very stupid request. Similar to someone asking people on the Baltimore Metro at 11pm to raise their hands if they have more than a $100 cash on them.

[MineralMan]

"You would be well advised to either defend your nonsensical atheistic view (to which you are entitled, and notice I said atheism is nonsense, not you), or simply stop posting. That way you'd model the very behavior you desired of the annoying Christian on the plane. Keep the two separate as they really are. The plane experience was one event. Your decision to raise it here and discuss it is another and quite distinct event."

I have done so many times. This is a discussion forum, so I discuss here. Unlike on an airliner, nobody is required to join this discussion. I cannot force my words on anyone here, since it's easy to just ignore whatever I write. I did not bring this issue up...the thread did that. I do appreciate your telling me what I'd be "well-advised" to do, though. I'll consider it.

[Steve_Seattle]

This is the kind of idiocy that gives conservative Christians a bad name.

[Steve_Seattle]

At least he didn't say, "I've just been raptured and no one is flying this plane."

[freeeee]

Passenger Amanda Nelligan told WCBS-TV of New York that the pilot called non-Christians "crazy"

Now there's some customer service.

Before the flames commence, know that I respect the pilot's unalienable right say that, anywhere he likes. Government has no business there.

But were I the pilot's boss, he would be looking for a job.

[gdani]

All he did was deliver the message - no guns to anyone's heads. Listening, acceptance or rejection is all up to the person hearing it.

I have a feeling you wouldn't be so tolerant if the pilot was gay & wanted to inform everyone re: the benefits of gay marriage

Or was a John Kerry supporter & wanted to tell everyone what a great candidate he is.

Or was a KKK member & wanted to discuss the benefits of lynching blacks.

Or....

[Stone Mountain]

A powerful way to validate our beliefs is to proselytize others. Somehow our brain thinks that the more people believe a concept, the more accurate the concept is. Furthermore, the crusader's beliefs are solidified the more he talks about them, whether he has a willing audience or not. His internal cognitive dissonance takes a break during the proselytizing process. That's why you can see Jehovah's Witness duos trying to pass their magazines to unwilling pedestrians walking briskly to work at 6 AM and 20 degrees. The JW goes home feeling stronger in his faith, since he was persecuted by the devil that morning (ridiculed by some bad-tempered pedestrians) and got a chance to talk to his fellow crusader about how strong his faith is (his faith sustains him in this uncomfortable environment)

Well put and interesting!

[Bella_Bru]

As for this man's witness I thank the Lord for it. All he did was deliver the message - no guns to anyone's heads. Listening, acceptance or rejection is all up to the person hearing it.

And I am sure you would feel the same way had the pilot asked the passengers to discuss Santeria.

[Down South P.E.]

Are you suggesting that Paul always preached the Gospel in a church and never any where else? Are you suggesting that he always preached the Gospel in places that people wanted to hear it or came to hear it?

[Down South P.E.]

It's Biblical. It's christianity not Islam.

[sinkspur]

Are you suggesting that Paul always preached the Gospel in a church and never any where else? Are you suggesting that he always preached the Gospel in places that people wanted to hear it or came to hear it?

No. But Paul didn't work for American Airlines or for anybody else, for that matter.

You work for someone else, you don't preach on their property if they don't want you to.

[MineralMan]

"It's Biblical. It's christianity not Islam."

I'm familiar with the verse. When did I say anything about Islam or advocate Islam? I'm an atheist. I disbelieve in all religions equally.

[Down South P.E.]

I have a feeling you wouldn't be so tolerant if the pilot was gay & wanted to inform everyone re: the benefits of gay marriage

Or was a John Kerry supporter & wanted to tell everyone what a great candidate he is.

Or was a KKK member & wanted to discuss the benefits of lynching blacks.

Or....

I don't know what you mean by "so tolerant". Those all fall simply under the I'd reject it category. Just because you announce something doesn't mean I have to believe it. Besides that it's pretty common today for people to be announcing their beliefs as far as gay rights, etc. go; in case you haven't noticed it. My beliefs simply reject it and that's what I'd tell anyone who asked.

[Down South P.E.]

And I am sure you would feel the same way had the pilot asked the passengers to discuss Santeria.

Can't find that one in my six inch dictionary, but it sounds familiar. But no matter, whatever topic of discussion he picked would just be an opportunity for me to witness to the other person.

I had a hindu strike up a conversation about his beliefs the other day. We ended up talking more about Jesus Christ; at his request than about his beliefs.

If the topic of Islam was suggested, I'd probably look for another plane; but then again I suspect so would a lot of unbelievers.

[Joshua]

"A powerful way to validate our beliefs is to proselytize others. Somehow our brain thinks that the more people believe a concept, the more accurate the concept is."

Proven time and again on FR by evolution threads posted by atheists.

[Down South P.E.]

You work for someone else, you don't preach on their property if they don't want you to.

Well you can if that's your conviction at least until they fire you or run you off. Paul was stoned, beat and run off "other peoples property" all the time. But even then, there were people who were saved. Maybe there was one person on that plane that had an open heart and was ready to recieve the Gospel. Maybe the Lord directed that pilots heart to be a witness at that point in time and his job really didn't matter so much to him.

Again, not something I would expect unbelievers to understand.