"That is, unless the plane is full of a bunch of Leftists who believe they can talk their way out of the trouble like poor Theo van Gogh did."
Or if the plane is full of a bunch of religious freaks who think they can pray their way out of trouble. I've got lots of relatives like that.
I think there is always room for praying along with fighting, sometimes 90%-10%, sometimes 10%-90%.
At least that is what I have heard from people who have been in combat...
And I don't think one needs to be a religious freak to believe that.
You'd better "hope", nod to Gaia, (or whatever you non- religious freaks do) that you don't get sick with deadly disease, least all those "freaks" come and pray for you.
It is amazing to watch ATHIESTS deal with terminal diseases. First they research the disease exhaustively. Then they get second, third and fourth opinions. Then the beg to be included in experimental protocols. Then they take the special "de-tox diet" route. Then they go to another country for highly controversial treatment. By the time they die, it is too late for the only thing that would have made them comfortable as they slipped away into the next life -- prayer.