I have to admit:  When I first saw this story - I drew the wrong conclusion.  Somehow an airline handing out prayer cards just seemed like a "wrong" idea to me.  Then I read further and saw that the prayer cards were part of the meal tray - and were meant less for the sake of a safe flight and more for the means of providing words for a dinner-time prayer.

Alaska Airlines has decided to stop including prayer cards on their in-flight meal trays.

Alaska Airlines is ending decades of giving passengers prayer cards with their meals, saying Wednesday the decision was made out of respect for all passengers.

Airline spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said the airline heard from customers who preferred not to mix religion with transportation. The decision reflects respect for the diverse religious beliefs and cultural attitudes of Alaska Airlines' customers and employees, the company said in announcing the change.

The prayer cards had their origins not in the sacramental - but as pure marketing.

The cards began as a marketing ploy 30 years ago to differentiate the regional airline from its competitors. The company admits the idea was borrowed from another airline.

The cards offer a short except of a psalm from the Old Testament printed on a beautiful photograph. One current example includes this excerpt printed over a beach scene: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever."

 

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