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I don't know how many of you are familiar with In-N-Out Burger. They are a regional Burger Chain (California, Nevada Utah and Arizona) that has somewhat of a cult following. Their focus is on quality - their burger never frozen - all burgers cooked to order - french fries made with raw (not frozen) potatoes. They've managed to succeed for 60+ years in a market that is quite competitive and often focuses on price and speed rather than quality of food. Additionally, they are one of the few fast food chains in the United States that pay its employees significantly more than state and federal mandated minimum wage - starting at $10 per hour in California.
A couple of years ago there was this big hullabaloo surrounding a "subliminal" practice of In-N-Out Burger. It appeared they were printing something on their wrappers. People started talking ... could these really be ... bible verses??
Good old Snopes looked into it and sure enough, those markings on In-N-Out cups and burger wrappers?? They are Bible citations. John 3:16, Proverbs 3:5, Nahum 1:7 ... now be honest, how many of you even knew Nahum was a book in the Old Testament - you thought it was the wrapper manufacturer, didn't you?Anyway, it seems this practice is found offensive by some. Almost as if In-N-Out burger is doing a little subliminal advertising of *gasp* the bible. In order for that to be true, we'd have to accept the premise that people know these references are, indeed, bible verses. Seems like a bit of a stretch being that Snopes had to confirm this for the general public.
Then, we'd have to operate from the position that In-N-Out was doing this to/for us. A little self-centered, don't you think? Is it not possible that In-N-Out does this as a way to give thanks to their "God" for their success and it has nothing to do with us?
Let's get real, if you don't like the reference to the bible, don't eat their food! What? Not acceptable? Of course not! Not when a Double-Double looks like this:
I'm not much into organized religion. In fact, my beliefs most closely resemble those of the Pastfarians, but if In-N-Out Burger wants to put those simple notations on their wrappers and containers, I say go ahead. But then again, I'm not sure who should be more insulted by this practice - atheists and agnostics for being exposed to a religion who's main message is "be nice to people," or Christians for having the words of their bible around a greasy box of fries.
Bottom line? I don't care if Christians wrap my burger in a Bible quote, just as long as they don't try to put them in my science book.
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50 comments:
There burgers a good but very messy as you can see from the picture. I'm not fond of messy food, so I didn't eat them often. Lived in So CAl for 5 years. Never noticed the bible verse but then when I order food, I eat it and don't read the wrapper. Now I might read the drink cup. This isn't a government owned or funded eatery is it? NO. So what's the problem? I see no violation between church and state laws. Holy crap!
WELL SAID!!!
I knew that Nahum was a book in the OT. Then again, I am the chosen one; I know all.
Bible verses or not, who doesn't want to eat at a place called In N Out?
I'd like mine with no onions, please. Amen.
I hit In-n-Out every time I am in Vegas or CA. It is sort of a spiritual experience for me, so I get the Bible verses.
But seriously, you would have to look up the verse to know what message the company was putting forth. If you take the time to get a Bible and look up the verse, and then get insulted by message, you are a total idiot!
I don't think I've ever looked under my cup or at the fine print on a wrapper. Agree wholeheartedly with this post. You go Dana. :-D
Lu, we all know that I *like* messy food - in fact, the messier the better *wink* Like you, I don't understand the concern - if you don't like it, don't eat there!
Doomed, well thank you!
Matt-Man, I expected you to know all about Nahum, especially since he was sent to Nineveh to destroy the kingdom as they had reverted to their cruel and heathen practices. You do know so much about those heathen practices *wink*
RLL, no onions? I'm not sure that would be a blessed burger!
Karen, not only would you have to look up the verse, you'd have to have some clue that it *was* a bible reference. I think we give our burger eaters a bit too much credit!
Trée, I think it's pretty amusing that In-N-Out started this practice in the late 80's, and it took over 15 years for anyone to find it offensive!
This just goes to show you that some people will continue to have their head firmly wedged up their backside no matter what.
Let's see...ground beef and Bible verses...holy cow! yep, makes sense to me.
As far as being a customer I really don't care as long as you cooked the meat right. It would seem a little obnoxious if I worked for them though. I think it might feel like religious ideas were being pushed on you. Maybe not. I don't know. Unfortunately I don't work there.
Like who would not want to be a Pastafarian?
Flying Spaghetti Monster? Hell Yeah!
it seems this practice is found offensive by some
I could care less about *some*
I love Love LOVE In-N-Out. I could eat a double double with cheese and mustard and grilled onions everyday.
They were only in southern California at the beginning and I discovered them while in college.
When pregnant we would stop everyweek on the way to childbirth class...where I would inhale TWO double doubles. (which is why my daughter loves them....I am sure)
I now know every location in a five hour radius.
I've always known about the verses. You own a company you can do what you want. If a consumer doesn't like it...then don't go there. Or don't buy a drink.
There is a chain of chicken places...I forget which one...that is not open on Sundays. One group tried to force them to open.
People forget this is the United States of America.
Jeff, BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
Knight, you know, if I'm working as a burger flipper and I have an employer willing to pay me a "living" wage to do so, I think I might just overlook their religious affiliation.
Bond, I should have known you might be familiar with the Flying Spaghetti Monster!
Micky-T, really? You don't care about "some"? See, I think "some" are quite fascinating, and they often act as the squeaky wheel, causing much grief for "most"! I think it's dangerous to ignore/not care about "some."
Kat, in the conversation I had regarding this yesterday, it was suggested that In-N-Out should somehow designate themselves as Christian ownership by putting that silly fish (or some other identifier) on their door or on their sign - that they were being "sneaky" by placing the bible verse reference on packaging. I had to wonder when this person wanted us to start tattooing our religious affiliation on our foreheads so that we weren't being "sneaky" in our worship practices *giggle*
sneaky? as in ha ha the Christians took your money? Or ha ha we got you to carry around a bible verse without you knowing?
(and anyway...you have to live in a cocoon if you go to In-N-Out and not know they are a Christian company. It is also the reason they pay their employees so much more than other fast food joints)
so...in the conversation you had yesterday...should every business display their ownership's religious affiliation? That could be fun.
Different insignias for Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, Jews, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, Muslims, Buddahists, et cetera.
I'm Wil Harrison and I approve this message.
The Trailer Of Love
Katherine, the chicken place is Chick-Fil-A. God bless them for being closed on Sunday. We live in a mostly free country. There is no country where anyone has the freedoms and opportunities we have here in America. If we don't like what a business has to offer, we don't have to shop or work there. "Open to the public" doesn't mean the owner has to or should accept everyone who wants to come in either. If we as Americans don't start to use our freedom of choice. We are going to lose it. Asking the Government to decide what we see, eat, do, observe, etc, etc, when we walk into a business which is "open to the public" is a fatal mistake, if we want to keep our freedoms. We can all think of where government is "helping" us lose our freedoms already.
Kat, I believe "sneaky" as in trying to shove religion down our throats while masquerading as a "normal" fast food joint and not being "honest" about your intentions. As far as I know, the only businesses, other than churches, that I've seen "Self Identify" would be the likes of Christian book stores. Now, we do have a retail chain out here called "Hobby Lobby" and they are not open on Sundays (they do have a note on their hours placard that says something to the effect of allowing employees time with their families) but I do think it would be quite interesting if we identified businesses by their religious affiliations!
I was sorta being funny about the sneaky thing. Doesn't translate well in this venue.
the owners of In-N-Out have never hidden their faith...never been sneaky.
Really...the family is in business to make money!!! Just because they ALSO have a Christian faith they do not hide shouldn't make people think they are having anything shoved anywhere.
If anyone wants to make their eating/shopping/spending decisions based on religious or racial or gender ownership...they should do the research.
btw....Have you ever been to a Jewish Deli? Ever been to an Asian food (chinese/japanese/vietnamese) restaurant with a little cat or altar in the corner. They are everywhere. How about a nail salon? Indiana...Illinois...Florida....California...everyone I have been gone to in the couple of years has a little corner with religious items.
and just to stir the pot...
before every session of congress, senate, and supreme court a prayer is said.
no matter who wins in November the next POTUS will be a self-described born again Christian.
I always thought it was more like a secret shout-out to all the other Christians. Like, hey there brother! We're all in the same club! Perhaps that's just because I first discovered them when I was an active, practicing Christian, heavily involved in the church. My opinion hasn't changed since I left the church,though. Why do we have to look for negative motives for everything?
When I was in high school I worked for a local ice cream chain that was fairly vocal about their religious standpoint. They would offer to pay for any students that wanted to go on a religious retreat and the would put bible verse numbers on the half gallons of ice cream. It never bothered me or any customers that I am aware of but I always thought it was kind of weird. I guess I don't understand why they would do it.
I'm much more concerned about *most* than *some*
I'm a fond believer of the squeaky wheel and in these times *most* of us should all be squeaking loud and clear.
Wil, you're a nut *wink*
Doomed, some would argue we have already lost a big chunk of that freedom of choice - it seems to have decreased proportionately to the increase in demands for political correctness. Imagine that!
Kat, I wholehearted agree with everything you said!
Kat, a prayer was said at opening day of my son's Little League season, and have you ever watched NASCAR? Before every single race!
Boo, I think that is part of my frustration with this topic. Why can't we assume they are doing this w3ith good intentions rather than making the assumption that they are trying to "harm" us in some covert way?
Knight, most organized religions have a strong push towards educating and informing others' of their beliefs. My guess is this was just your employer's way of doing that.
Micky-T, are you trying to corrupt my religious post with political nonsense? *giggle* I will have none of that here!!
laughing....
I had NASCAR listed and deleted it!
NASCAR has one of the most brilliant and successful marketing plans of any business in the past decade...and they don't just pray...they pray to Jesus..big time.
I wish I could have bought stock (no pun intended) in NASCAR about five years ago....
Maybe I was talking about...
"In God We Trust"
planted all over our currency and that *some* are offended by it.
Well *they* shouldn't be allowed to squeak louder than *most*
Amen to that, sista!
:P
ChikFilA around here is kind of like that. They are sort of religious (they play christian music in the restaurant). They are really nice and I believe they also pay their employees higher than minimum wage.
It's a damn good thing that restaurant isn't in my town though. Mmm that looked YUMMY! I have a hard enough time keeping my ample booty out of CFA. :P
I could care less what is written on my burger wrapper, as long as it doesn't have tomatoes on it.
I have an aunt who always wants to go out to eat after church on Sundays. But she is the first to promote eating at Chik Fil A on every other day of the week because they are closed on Sundays so that their employees can worship. Seems to me she should quit promoting the people who are open on Sundays if it is really that important to her.
Religions are really messing with my burger/chicken fix.
Who cares if their burgers are wrapped with Bible verses. They can be covered with images of Jesus and Mary and cut into the shape of the cross for all I care. They just better not put mayo on mine.
But, as for anyone complaining about this ... This is what's really wrong with us. There aren't more than a handful of people bitching and they get presented as if they are a large group by the media. Then somebody decides to make it a political issue and says that this small group of people represents Millions and millions of people on one side of the political spectrum.
They do it with people who complain about Bible verses on burger wrappers and they do it about the small church with a congregation of 50 who wants Marriot hotels closed cause the allow dirty movies in their rooms.
Blah, blah blah .. I swear if we ever
Uh .. *looks around the room* .. sorry about that .. almost got off on a rant there. I'll save it for my own blog. ;-)
Kat, NASCAR is a phenomenal money-making machine, aren't they? And don't ever be leery of referencing NASCAR on my blog - husband, son and I all have favorite driver's, all of whom are in the Chase this year! Of course, it's *my* driver who has won the first two races *wink*
Micky-T, and I will say that if it were not for my strong affinity to the things this country was founded on, I too, might be bothered by the currency issue!
FF, if you ever get out west, you *must* stop at an In-N-Out Burger! They really are the best "fast food" burgers around and their fries? To die for!
Jay, how do *you* know Marriot Hotels allow dirty movies in their rooms? And why haven't I been invited??
Reminds me of the pinheads who protested some movies on HBO...instead of just not subscribing to the darn thing.
I try not to patronize businesses that plaster their signs with jesus stuff and that little jesus fish. Too much shameless marketing and trying to make themselves look godly. Suspicious.
In-and-Out Burger's subtle reference to the bible (or any other subtle reference for that matter) is hardly offensive.
ambergail77, look at all of you picky eaters! RLL doesn't want onions, Jay doesn't want mayo and now you don't want tomatoes! *wink*
Michael, good to see you back! Yes, I would agree - I would be far more suspicious of a business overtly touting their religious affiliation than one who does it discreetly.
Exactly. Are you familiar with Chik-Fil-A? They are a Christian run company...complete with the fact their kids meals toys include some type of religious based childrens book. So??? LOL
No one is asking you to believe anything, if you like their food, eat it/buy it....if it bothers you well....don't.
?!?!
Great post. :)
you plant seeds,you harvest, you reap what you sow.....its the old 'you get what you paid for routine'....you are a pathetic victim that has sucked in other pathetic victims into your pathetic victim world, tough talking web savvy nothing is all you are....bounce the guy or bounce yourself - keep on complaining and you are the loser....choices much? *wink*
yeah its me
I dont hide behind a proxy
Emotional Displacement much, Doggy? Wow, do you ever turn your own ascerbic, Dr. Phil charlatanism upon yourself?
Go "create" and/or bite some ankles...That's what you do, right? Cheers.
P.S. Hi Dana!!
Vixen, we don't have Chik-Fil-A out here in Illinois ... or at least not in my part of Illinois, but yeah - if you don't like the message, don't eat the food!
DB, you had a brain, planted seeds of knowledge, kindness and logical thinking, and then allowed Doctors to reap what you had sowed - they clearly performed a labotomy.
Are you in such dire need of stroking your ego by increasing the numbers on your stat counter that you've left yet another nasty comment on yet another good blog in hopes that everyone will come visit you, if only to shame you? And you call me pathetic ...
Matt-Man, you know you're next on the DB hit list, right??
really? that is the comment DB is making on this post. geez.
I wish he would hide.
somewhere
completely
no one takes him seriously ...here or elsewhere....
In-N-OUT, That's what a hamburger's aaaallll about!! (the jingle)
In-n-out has some of the most amazing burgers and fries, and that's all they serve, the basics (including real ice cream shakes)
I was going to quote the bible verses that were displayed but decided that might be a bit much. They are all very basic verses about trusting the Lord, Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if you answer I will sup with you and you with me etc. Hardly offensive. And the subtle way they're placed makes them even less so. It seems some people just can't rest until every last reference to God is scrubbed from everything. Then there are those that just seem to want to be offended by something, as though they feel left out without an enemy to rail against.
On a lighter note, one thing that In-N-Out has as sort of an inside secret is that they have special ordering codes that not all customers know, and are not listed on any menu or advertisement anywhere. If you order a double double and say you want it 4 by 4, animal style, that will get you 4 patties, 4 slices cheese and your onions grilled. Pure heaven on a bun. They have some other codes but I don't know them, I've only used the one. They also used to have bumper stickers that said In-N-Out burger. If you cut out the b and r on burger it said In-N-Out urge. Those were, of course, discontinued. It's a great place and I applaud them for being true to their faith.
FMD
stroke me stroke me....!
Kat, I think he may be the only one that takes himself seriously!
FMD, I thnk you hit the nail on the head when you said, "Then there are those that just seem to want to be offended by something, as though they feel left out without an enemy to rail against."
DB, I think you are far better at self-stroking.
That burger looks so freaking good!
Okay, no I didn't know that book was in the old testament and I thought I knew my bible pretty well. I'll have to see if my husband knows it cause he thinks he is a bible expert (and honestly, he may be).
And you know what? IF I saw those, I would have known what they are and I would have thought "How cool is that!".
They'd have to be good- we don't have any around here...
Holy Two All Beef Patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun Batman!
Oh wait....those are the other guys.
I didn't know it was a book in the OT. I'll be honest....
As far as them printing the verses on their wrappers....who gives a shit? I'm like you as in it doesn't bother me.
And like you, don't eat there if it bothers YOU...geeeeeez, morons.
Amen Sista.
Just love you and your blog;)
Must say, that burger looks great, biblical or not, damn why can't people just let people or messages be. Are we not or are we under enough stress then to if something so senseless then to find a biblical message offensive?
I don't know about your "god" amd really don't care to, cause I love you either way, but my god, well he's not traditional, but he's mine and I don't give a flip who passes their message along as long as its not killing, molesting or shooting anybody.......you get me sweets and DAMN...........what a picture!
Good one doll!
um meat good? *wink*
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