In theory, the U.S. has separation of church and state. In practice, public displays of Christianity are generally treated as wholesome, quintessential Americana. Non-Christian religions in the public sphere, in contrast, are often treated as curiosities at best and threats at worst. Religious minorities are told — implicitly or explicitly — that they aren’t entirely American and that America isn’t for them.
Non-Christian religions in the public sphere, in contrast, are often treated as curiosities at best and threats at worst.
Americans got a small reminder of that truth over the weekend after a video of a group of Christians singing to the other passengers on an airplane flight went viral. The video appears to have been shot by a pastor named Jack Jensz Jr. — he uploaded the same video to his Instagram account. As you can see in the video, some passengers seem amused; some are recording the performance with their phones. Some appear indifferent or bored.
There’s not a lot of context with the clip. Jensz appears to have been doing charity and evangelical work recently near the Ukrainian border, but it’s not clear whether this flight was part of that. We don’t know whether the singers asked fellow passengers for permission or whether it was a charter flight.
As a Jewish atheist who hates flying, though, I know how the impromptu concert would have made me feel. When I’m in the air, I just want to get where I’m going. I don’t want to listen to a mediocre chorus reiterating that my neighbors think I’m going to hell.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who is Muslim, had a similarly skeptical reaction. Responding on Twitter, she wrote: “I think my family and I should have a prayer session next time I am on a plane. How do you think it will end?”
Christian worship is generally considered harmless, happy, uplifting — even good for you. Muslims in the U.S., in contrast, are regularly demonized and targeted with hate crimes. Post 9/11, airports and…
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