A woman was recently banned from a commercial flight after she asked airline staff to "stop blaspheming". She was taken off the flight and barred from flying with the airline for 24 hours, according to this item in The Telegraph:
Fiz Thomson, 55, was returning from a trip to Israel where she had been helping war victims, when she heard boarding staff at Stansted airport repeatedly exclaiming "Oh, my God" after a child fell and hurt herself.
She said she politely asked them to stop taking God's name in vain.
The woman explained:
I was very polite and non aggressive, but one of the ladies angrily asked me if I expected everyone to follow my religion and do as I did.
Finally – someone speaks some sense to one of these religious nuts. Blasphemy indeed. Oh sure, let them believe whatever ridiculous nonsense they want, just don’t let them expect everyone else to follow their fairy-tale rules too.
Admittedly there may be a little more to this story than just the blasphemy angle: there is a suggestion the woman was also racist. (She may have made some racist remarks to an Indian employee, although she denies this.) Still, the idea that someone could be called out for expecting everyone else to subscribe to their “don’t make fun of my invisible sky-fairy” requirement, is a positive thing. Of course, this happened in the UK. When something like this happens in the US it really will be time to celebrate.
I really can't agree with you this time, Skeptico. I don't think this is in the same league as proselytising everyone else - the lady felt offended by certain language and asked someone to stop.
OK, I'm 100% atheist, and I relish the odd bit of verbal sparring with a crusading religious nut who's trying to convert me. However, I don't feel this woman has done anything like that.
Sorry, Skep, but I think you're railing a bit here.
Posted by: Big Al | August 30, 2006 at 12:15 AM
Still, I like the story. Surely "Oh my God" is not very strong language. Does she think "Oh my Lord" or "Oh, Lawsy!" would be acceptable?
Posted by: Rowan | August 30, 2006 at 12:52 AM
YES! YES! YES THAT WAS GOOD!
Those people need to be taught to have a little respect for other people, and to leave others alone when they are not harming anyone. It is high time for the religious to realize that there is nothing great and special about their particular brand of superstition, and that there is nor obligation for anyone else to buy it.
Posted by: valhar2000 | August 30, 2006 at 03:06 AM
If she was polite in demeanor (despite the inherent impolite nature of her actions), I don't see the reason for the ban.
She did deserve any witty remarks and silly looks she got, though.
Posted by: BronzeDog | August 30, 2006 at 03:51 AM
Well, the other lady felt offended by certain attitude and asked her to stop.
Now we can seat and wait for those angry believers whining because they are "repressed" for being Christians.
Posted by: Martín Pereyra | August 30, 2006 at 08:46 AM
Wow...sounds like much ado about nothing. Definitely she said, she said kinda thing. Still, as the phrase is quite common, the lady in question really needs to learn to just accept that not everyone believes as she does and choose her battles wisely.
Posted by: elaine | August 30, 2006 at 09:17 AM
I agree with your point, although I don't use the phrase myself. I'm just always amused when people get so up-in-arms about something so stupid. The reaction of the woman is based on her religious practice. She shouldn't impose it on other people, so okay. The overreaction of the airline staff in response seems even goofier. What is the big deal? And what about "the customer is always right?" Couldn't they just show the woman to her seat pay attention to the real issue which is the kid who got hurt?
Posted by: Jenlo | August 30, 2006 at 10:01 AM
Additional quibble: Saying "Oh my God!" in shock or surprise... or other things isn't related to "taking the Lord's name in vain." That particular offense is moot in America, now that contracts aren't based on swearing to deities.
Of course, they're free to still call that phrase blasphemous. Just like they did with polyester blends and shellfish.
Posted by: Bronze Dog | August 30, 2006 at 10:12 AM
Being so easily offended is definitely a weakness. Talk about being left open to manipulation. (See: Mohammed charicatures.)
Posted by: L6 | August 30, 2006 at 11:35 AM
I get the feeling that there's more to this story than we're hearing.
Posted by: Eric | August 30, 2006 at 01:59 PM
Interesting to note that the lady is more interested in a common expresson of concern than showing concern of the event itself: the injured child.
Posted by: Boyce Williams | September 12, 2006 at 08:08 AM
RE: religious nuts
Which Man Is Not A Religious Nut?
http://beepbeepitsme.blogspot.com/2006/09/which-man-is-not-religious-nut.html
Posted by: beepbeepitsme | September 18, 2006 at 06:16 AM