Buyer Beware: Forever 21’s Hidden “Evangelical” Message

2008 September 8

One of my favorite pastimes is shopping. However, as a financially-challenged college student, I do not have the luxury of purchasing items with designer labels or from expensive boutiques. So what is a fashion-crazed girl supposed to do other than turn to affordable stores such as H&M and Wet Seal? While I am a huge supporter of thrift stores, there is only one (over-priced) consignment shop near my college that is within walking distance. So, on the occasional rainy Saturday, my girlfriends and I take the local bus to the mall. Our favorite haunt? Forever 21.

I don’t always like the cheap quality of the clothing at Forever 21, but I generally pick up the occasional party dress, cheapie sunglasses that I expect to lose anyway, and lots of staple items like cardigans and hoodies. However, after unpacking my recent purchases, my room looked like Big Bird had molted plastic feathers all over my floor. Picking up one of Forever 21’s signature glaringly-yellow bags, I noticed something I had never seen before. I dropped the bag like I’d been bitten, causing my boyfriend to look at me in alarm.

What did I find so utterly terrifying? On the bottom of the bag, in tiny black print: John 3:16.

Now, as an atheist who has never read the Bible (other than translating a few pages in an Ancient Greek class), I had to ask my boyfriend, “Is this some sort of religious…thing?” Sure enough, it was. I googled John 3:16 and came upon this excerpt from the bible:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Alright. I’ve taken many a literature and philosophy class. This isn’t too hard to dissect: Believe in God and you will go to Heaven and not perish (in Hell). That’s pretty straightforward Christian doctrine. But what the fuck is it doing on my shopping bag!?!?


With the wondrous tools of the internet at my disposal, I quickly learned that not only has Forever 21’s evangelical owners been slapping “John 3:16” on their bags for years, but there’s not a lot we can do about it. Forever 21 is a privately owned company, and at best, you can boycott their stores if you have a problem with their branding.

I’m no stranger to boycotting brands and products. Ever since I was little, my mother has instructed me to never buy Dominoes pizza, since Dominoes founder Tim Monaghan financially supports pro-life organizations (arguably, with the wealth he has acquired by owning Dominoes). However, there are plenty of pizza chains to choose from . . . where else will I get my cheap designer-knockoff duds other than Forever 21?

Before going any further, I should probably answer this question, “Why do I care so much about what a stupid bag has written on it?” Well, as one blogger puts it, “I feel weird buying clothes from a store that propagates messages I don’t agree with.” Even worse, how do we know that Forever 21’s owners don’t fund evangelical or faith-based organizations with some of their profits (much like Dominoes’ owner does)? That is what really scares me. It’s bad enough that I am unknowingly carrying around a Christian message . . . it is even worse if my money is being used to support organizations that I am fundamentally against.

Regardless of specific religious views, the subliminal and shady aspect of Forever 21’s “hidden message” doesn’t sit right with me. To be sure, next time I go shopping, I’m asking the store clerks if I can see the bag before I purchase anything. Just in case.

So what do you think is the right course of action? Boycott Forever 21? Refuse to use their bags? Whether they carry a hidden message or not, plastic bags are pretty bad for the environment. Tell us your thoughts on the issue!

Photo Credits

54 Responses leave one →
  1. 2008 September 8

    Woah. That is SO freaky. I’m scared.
    I’ve never shopped there before, but I always hear about them. I wonder what ‘forever 21′ means, too…?
    Eep. I’m gonna remember this one and spread the word, lol.
    It’s definitely NOT okay to include hidden messages and agendas in products.

  2. 2008 September 9

    creeeeeeeeeeeeeepy big time

    I don’t want to see Bible passages on a plastic bag unless they’re out of the sacred scriptures store… and even then…

  3. 2008 September 9
    Shannon permalink

    HaHa! This is what you get for using plastic bags :)

    Actually this is pretty creepy. While freedom of speech is ok, this falls more under propaganda and subversive tactics (which just goes to show a) the lengths Christians will go to, to spread their cra… ahem, stuff and b) how underhanded clothing chain stores can be). I’ve heard of Forever 21, have no idea if they have any stores in Australia, and certainly will NOT be buying anything from them if they ever do. And I suggest you write a strongly worded letter to the CEO of the store – it will more than likely get thrown in the bin straight away, but if everyone does it maybe they will start to get the message that this is not ok.

  4. 2008 September 9

    I would like to referance the previous comment (this is what you ger for using plastic bags…”
    You have issues with a company propogating a religious ideology, should you not likewise have issues wtih companies that have poor sustainable tenants? Google plastics and find out how much plastic is produced and NOT recycled. Or any petrolium based industry for that matter.
    WHat I have an issue with here is that you have desire to censure. You manufacture conspiracy to enable a more narrow view. The words “evangelical” and “subliminal” are counterintuative and beyond that for the message to mean anything to you (to affect you “subliminaly”) you would have to know what John 3:16 is which would mean yo have already been exposed to biblical teachings and the damage is already done.
    Honestly, look at it this way. At least THIS company is letting you know its beliefs. How many do you suppose do not?

  5. 2008 September 9

    @ Ivy – thanks for commenting! I couldn’t agree more. However, as for the name…according to my research the store used to be called “Fashion 21″ and they changed it to Forever 21 when the store became a chain. I think (and hope) there are no hidden messages there…they are aiming at the 17-25 demographic…aka “21″.

    @ dollyann – Exactly.

    @ Shannon – I like the idea of sending a letter. I’ll mull on that one. I know for one thing I’m just not going to use their plastic bags or anyone else’s (yay, environment).

    @ Ozymandiaz – Thank you for your thought-provoking comment. In response, I do what I can to avoid using plastic bags in general. It was an unfortunate oversight of mine to not bring an alternative bag on my last shopping trip and that is how I came to discover the 3:16 in the first place.

    When I said subliminal, I guess I meant that it’s hidden from the average viewers eye…but it’s there. Some people probably notice it, understand what it is, and don’t really care that it’s there. However, that is still subliminal…it’s a way of saying “you support this statement, you are holding this bag, we are advertising our message through you”. Perhaps that’s not the definition of subliminal that you’re used to (i.e. weird images in ads, etc), but I believe it to be misleading nonetheless.

    Yes, I identified the symbol (3:16) as a Bible reference by asking my more religiously-informed boyfriend (who was raised a Methodist) & by researching it myself online. I did not know the meaning firsthand, like you said, but I had a kneejerk reaction to it…meaning I knew there was something about the symbol that didn’t sit right with me. I’m not religious but I have been exposed to literature and pop culture, and was able to at least associate the symbol with religion. Therefore, still subliminal.

    Finally, I did not say I wanted to censure anything. I stated clearly that Forever 21 is a private company and I cannot do anything about their bags other than refuse to use them. End of story. I think that’s a pretty reasonable response. I appreciate your last comment, though, about companies putting their “message” out there. I would like to know companies’ beliefs up-front, actually. I just don’t think hiding it on a bag is up-front enough.

  6. 2008 September 9

    Quite honestly, *no* company is above censure. It astonishes me how no one talks about the fact that Dick Haynes, the man who runs Urban Outfitters AND Anthropologie, is a dyed in the wool Republican who contributed 1000s to Rick Santorum (a strongly right wing Christian senator who is openly homophobic and anti-gay rights or acceptance.)

    That said, I’m not here to judge. Even spending your money on clothing on Etsy where you know it’s made by someone in their house for a fair wage–most of the fabric comes from China. Most of the beads & findings you see in jewelry on Etsy are from Asian countries where a living wage is a laughable thing. Not to be utterly pessimistic, but these issues are so much bigger than a Biblical chapter on a bag or a CEO who I fundamentally disagree with and I don’t even know where the solution begins. Probably much higher than my personal boycott.

    Ugh, this got much darker than I intended but I just don’t think I’m one to judge how someone spends their money, especially when there are tragically few options where a shopper could be guilt-free.

  7. 2008 September 9
    Harlequin permalink

    i agree that it is a weird practice….although it creeps me out, i don’t so much care about them putting that on the bag. what i do not like is that my money could be going to support organizations that are against my own personal views. that really scares me. it’s good to figure out that forever 21 is owned by evangelicals who care enough to put a religious reference on their bags, but now it makes me nervous about all the places my money is going. i don’t even know what types of things i might be accidentally funding.

    it is actually really depressing to think about.

    -Harlequin

  8. 2008 September 11

    This gave me chills. Mostly because it’s so subtle as to be insidious. If they’ve been printing this on their bags for ages and you’ve never noticed it, there are countless other F21 shoppers in the same situation. Silently, unknowingly promoting a message they may or may not believe in. Yicks.

  9. 2008 September 11

    Well, just raising awareness by writing about it is a good start. What about seeing if anyone has ever written to a blog like Consumerist about this, or posting it to the community blog on feministing, or something like that?

  10. 2008 September 17

    Wonderful response. It is ever so nice finding folks here in the blogosphere who are vapid and espousing rhetoric or whatever flighty half truth they came upon.
    Rock on.

  11. 2008 September 17

    ambika — I agree. I don’t know where the solution begins, and I doubt my individual boycott matters much in the great scheme of things. However, that’s the reason why I posted on this at all, to raise awareness. Is this Forever 21 bag thing my “chosen cause”? Absolutely not. There are, obviously, bigger fish to fry.

    I did not know about the CEO of Urban/OutfittersAnthropologie…I’ll have to look into it. Thanks for your comment.

    Sal — That’s what gives me the chills too! Thanks for your response :-)

    EvilSlutClique — Good ideas. I’ll check out the Consumerist.

    Ozymandiaz — Well, I don’t think I or any of the other commentors on this post have been “flighty” or “vapid”. Care to elaborate? Keep in mind that this is a blog — not a newspaper or some academic institution. Anyone who posts or comments here is entitled to their own opinion & that can extend to all subjects (whether substantial or superficial). If I want to write about shopping all day long, that’s my right. Go read another blog if my ideas are so “vapid”. However, I think I’m right in saying that this blog is not vapid, and the ideas and issues discussed here are relevant to many. If you don’t find such relevance in what I have to say, then I repeat: go read something else.

    Oh, and one more thing: keep your lame sarcasm to yourself. Thanks!

  12. 2008 September 22
    website design permalink

    It’s not hidden if it’s in plain sight!
    Nothing wrong with having a strong opinion about where you shop and what you buy, even makes for good practice to research into the history of the companies involved…at the same time, this particular thing seems like such a ‘who cares’ topic. I’m not an atheist but I wouldn’t stop shopping at a store if they started printing *references* to books on atheism. Besides, it’s a thrift shop so it even makes this more irrelevant. Similarly, I, a linux user, don’t shop for laptops based on whether they have Microsoft’s logo on it, because it’s irrelevant!

  13. 2008 September 22

    Website design: It’s not in plain sight…no one can see the bottom of a bag when it’s being held by someone close to the ground. Also, Forever 21 is not a thrift store, it’s a nation-wide chain.

    Furthermore, your linux vs. Microsoft argument is irrelevant. Thanks for commenting, but I think you probably should have read my post more closely.

  14. 2008 November 9
    bob G permalink

    uh… Who cares?!?! If its privately owned, let them do what they want.

  15. 2008 November 10

    @ bob G — I will let them do what they want. I’m just not gonna give them my cash anymore.

  16. 2008 November 15
    BBlovexx permalink

    i think dollface needs to calm down.. stop attacking those who dont agree with you (ie. bob g, ozymandiaz…) they’re simply offering there own opinion.. the one u asked for. and website design makes a few good points. its not hidden!! many people have seen it. ITS IN PLAIN SITE. therefore not subliminal. 2nd point* the whole the irrelevance argument. dollface, you’re really over-reacting. just because a company supports and OPENLY admits to certain beliefs that you disagree with doesnt mean u should stop shopping there. i mean unless they are advocating murder and theft or something then you shouldnt be so offended. If you’re confident in your beliefs then allow others to be so.

  17. 2008 November 15

    @ BBlovexx — Thanks for your opinion. If you notice me personally responding to everyone who comments, it’s because I like to address all readers, not just the people who agree with what I’ve written.

    So, please do not think that I am attacking anyone. In fact, upon re-reading these comments, I think I have been rather reasonable in my responses. I did, admittedly, get a little testy when ozymandiaz referred to me as “vapid” but that’s a personal attack. If you notice, I do not stoop to his level. Rather, I politely tell him to find other reading material if I offend him so greatly.

    Finally, to your second point: It’s a private company. I state clearly in my post that there is nothing to do about their bags. However, I can (and will) boycott any organization I choose. Thanks for your advice, though.

  18. 2008 November 15

    Yeah, I’m gonna back dollface up here. To suggest that you should only boycott a company if they’re endorsing murder is a very limited perspective. I am a Buddhist (and I know dollface is an atheist) and we are both living in a culture that is very anti-people-who-don’t-believe-in-a-god. We feel that hostility regularly and we certainly don’t want to give our money (which confers power and influence in a capitalist society) to people that would continue to “other” and stigmatize us. Especially when we saw just recently how Prop 8 passed thanks to the funding of Christian fundamentalist groups. It’s not about how much confidence we have in our beliefs. It’s about thinking where our money will go and how that will ultimately affect us. That’s not overreacting; that’s thinking things through.

  19. 2008 November 16
    outspokenchick1 permalink

    i think that the whole bible scripture on the bag isn’t harming anyone. I mean if they are giving our money out its the money their earning for their own company so why should we care?? we use the clothes so wer not losing our money. their giving up their own. … i guess if you don’t shop after you notice the scripture then that’s your problem but i don’t think it’s bad at all…. their beliefs should be respected as shud yours (the atheist)…. There’s other major companies with these scriptures.. check the inn n out cup… its on it…. and many more.

    i don’t think it matters much. to be honest. geez….

  20. 2008 November 16

    @ Dollyann – Thanks, I agree.

    @ Outspokenchick — So to show respect for their beliefs I should buy their products? Sounds like a plan. Thanks for enlightening me, really.

    The point is simple, folks! The people who own Forever 21 are earning this money. They can spend it however they want. They can put anything on their bags.

    I do not have to buy from them.

    End of story. I’m not responding to any more comments, because many of you keep repeating each other (only the grammar gets worse and worse…)

    If you’d like to see my argument, read the post carefully and my comments.

  21. 2008 November 16

    Geez, dollface, dontchya know you’re overreacting, you hysterical little woman you? I mean, you got CLOTHES didn’t you? Isn’t that what shopping’s all about?! So, like, why should you care??? yuh??!?!? Is my argument more compelling if I throw in more question marks and punctuationz.!?.,”? omgz i forgot to grammar today… and spiell… perhaps my adorable lack of writing skills will persuade you to see my viewpoint. CALM DOWN!

    Lol… 20,000 hits was it? ;)

    PS Feel free to delete this once you’ve had your laugh; I wouldn’t want the sarcasm to make some of your readers’ heads explodes.

  22. 2008 November 17
    Harlequin permalink

    oh jeez. i think you guys are missing the point that dollface and dollyann are trying to make. first of all, if you do not support a corporation’s beliefs and actions, then it depends on how committed you are to your own values. a lot of people boycott walmart because of its treatment of employees and cheap wages over in china or god knows where…is this really any different?

    second of all, the issue for me lies primarily in the issue of money. some of you atheists do not care about your money funding Christian organizations, and that’s fine. we do care. do i want to get pizza from domino’s after learning that they fund anti-abortion organizations? no, of course not, because that is something that goes against my moral values. in addition to the fact that it could ultimately harm me in the sense that if abortion became illegal, then i would be screwed as a woman. i guess it depends on what you care more about, your clothes or your values. we have made our choice, and you can make yours. the point is not that forever 21 should stop printing this on their bags – in fact, i kind of appreciate that they do because in the end it is the only way that i would have ever found out about their religious/political leanings. they can put whatever they want on their products, but we also have the right to look behind the capitalist system of corporations and decide where we want our money to go. because in essence, if our money is going to buy their clothes (sure we get some pretty dresses out of it, gee whiz…) then our money is also going to whatever they choose to fund. they are a nation-wide chain, they are a corporation…they are making a PROFIT – not simply trading money with us. and that is not something i am comfortable with. it simply makes me more resolved to find out more about corporations and what they support. having cool clothes does not override funding faith-based organizations for me, sorry. this is part of the problem with our society in my opinion – people care more about material possessions than they do about political or moral issues or their own individual values.

    we are not saying that they should stop printing biblical scriptures on their bags. they can and will do whatever they want, and that is fine. we respect their beliefs, but that does not mean that we have to SUPPORT them. we have our own beliefs, and all of you seem to be saying that we are “over-reacting” and being “hysterical” by standing up for our values. that is all we are saying. awareness is everything, and that is why we are spreading the word. if you do not care where your money is going, and you do not think it’s a big deal, then that is fine. we respect that as well. but again, this does not mean that we should sacrifice our own values for a couple of bangles and earrings.

    - Harlequin

    p.s. we do love getting comments from readers with all different viewpoints. but we do not have to agree with you. that is the nature of debate. we respect your opinion, but we do not respect personal attacks and unfounded statements that do not constructively criticize our work. of course you can disagree with us, but making off-the-cuff statements about how “vapid” we are (especially when that is ludicrous given the vastness of the issue we are discussing – faith-based organizations use funding to gain political headway in the battles against abortion, gay marriage, and many other things that i feel rather strongly about) and what a stupid issue this is to care about. so thank you all for reading, and for those of you with constructive comments, we thank you for your input. we really do appreciate debate as long as it is within the boundaries of the issue and not aimed specifically at us as individuals…since, let’s be clear, none of you really know us, eh?

  23. 2008 November 18
    Sari permalink

    Got your blog after doing a search for “boycott forever 21 religious”. i am also an atheist, and have always shopped at forever 21 for the same exact reasons you list. However, I do not think I can support such a group. Also, their godly beliefs haven’t gotten them very far, can you count how many times theyve been sued for knock offs? Guess God forgot to add Knock Offs to the 10 Commandments so they think they’re okay.

  24. 2008 November 18
    Sari permalink

    and i forgot to add that almost every item i have bought from that store has ripped in the arm pits.

  25. 2008 November 19

    @ Sari — Thanks for commenting! You make a really good point about the knockoffs…I do remember hearing about designers suing Forever 21 in the recent years.

    Also, a ton of my clothes from Forever 21 rip/fray too! Ughhh

  26. 2008 November 24
    forlove21 permalink

    GO FOREVER 21 ZOMGGGG

  27. 2008 December 4
    nor permalink

    i’m livin in saudi arabia (but i’m not saudi) and they have forever 21 shops here. i have to admit it scared me at first when i found out that they have “john 3:16″ written at the bottom after i read this blog post…i think they dont have them printed on the plastic bags here ( that’s cuz saudi is a really strict islamic country ) but i’m gonna go check next time i went shopping just to be sure…if there is the john 3:16 message written on it, i’m sure going to spread the word…thanks for posting this news Dollface…peace out

  28. 2008 December 8

    UM..wow…”dollface” is a little angry…this is too all who care for my opinon.
    okay. so heres what i think…agree or dissagree.
    1. if you dont like the fact that forever21 DOES use their money for christian charities etc. then DONT shop there.
    im sure your $10 wont affect there sales..they wont miss you.
    2. if you wouldnt have noticed it…it wouldnt bother you…so consider that you might be over reacting.
    3. personal attacks…(specially on grammar) coming from a college student blogger is immature.
    4. im sure if you owned a private company you wouldnt mind forcing your atheist ideas (as you do on your blog)
    5. this blog fighting is a waste of time and energy..

    ps. dollface..just boycott (as you said) or take your own bag.
    to everyone else -enjoy the affordable fashions and realize that the money you spend at forever21 goes to a good cause..it shouldnt matter what religion..just know that your helping someone in need ; )

    missteenagesocialiteNYC.blogspot.com

  29. 2008 December 8

    Oh noooooes… are we resorting to the “she’s too angry” argument to dismiss all of dollface’s reasonable points?

    1. I think that’s the point of dollface’s article. She’s sparking discussion on whether you should stop shopping there all together or simply refuse to use the bags.
    2. So, if I don’t notice people trampling one another on the streets, it won’t bother me, and therefore there’s no problem with it? There are a million things in the world that are problematic that people choose to ignore. That doesn’t make it right.
    3. Wow, the condescension here is simply delicious. So, because dollface is a college student, that means she’s too young/stupid to recognize others’ mechanical errors? And dollface hasn’t made any personal attacks on anyone here. She’s been reasserting her point and defending her post. How does that count as a personal attack?
    4. Actually, it’s not really your place to presume what she would do.
    5. So, why are you participating in it?

    Yes, fund your money in Fundamentalist Christian organizations– they just want to revoke gay rights to marriage and adoption, as well as women’s reproductive and equal pay rights. That’s such a splendid cause. *rolls eyes*

  30. 2008 December 8
    Alan permalink

    Kyla, I would have responded to your comment with more depth, because your complaints are completely unfounded and easily disproven. But then I checked out your blog, and can I just say…omfg.

    I think your site is one of the most shallow, incomprehensible, and self-indulgent blogs I have ever seen. I feel that Dollface’s argument about the Christian message on a Forever 21 bag is not unfounded, especially when your most thoughtful post is along the lines of what dress you think is “to die for” or how much it would cost someone to have your “influential” presence at their party/dinner. I find your personality to be vomit inducing and I can’t see how it would lend to one’s digestion at dinner.

    http://missteenagesocialitenyc.blogspot.com/2008/11/frequenty-asked-questions.html (for those who want a laugh).

    I don’t think Dollface has made any personal attacks on anyone, and as far as I have seen is it unnatural for her to do so. She does not force her ideology on anyone, and ‘christian’ values are not always synonymous with ‘charitable’ causes, as these include pro-life organizations, anti gay rights, and ‘jesus camp’ type events which, it can be argued, are inhumane.

  31. 2008 December 27
    Lex permalink

    I too just came across the hidden message on the Forever 21 bags. This creeps me out and the only solution I see fit is to boycott Forever 21. It’s going to be tough but I do not believe in spending my hard earned cash on some wacky company.

  32. 2009 April 2
    joria permalink

    The owners are asian who cares. The corporate headquarters in california are run by asians who speak broken english

  33. 2009 April 2

    joria- are you fucking kidding me?

    i allowed your comment through moderation because it’s a great example of the kind of racist morons we STILL have to deal with in this country

    racism is not dead

  34. 2009 April 10
    Angel permalink

    WOW>
    I will put all of you hell-bounders in my prayers tonight. You should be happy that Forever21 wants to send you to heaven. “Non-believers”? Lol. How could you be a NON believer…that would be assuming that you know of a higher power but yet, you refuse to believe. One day…you will believe…I just hope it’s not when all the saints go marching in…hopefully before.

  35. 2009 April 10

    I hope you have fun wasting your time praying for me :)

  36. 2009 April 10

    @angel: ROFLMFAO!!!

    Dollface, join me for cocktails in Satan’s lounge later?

  37. 2009 May 11
    Julia permalink

    Okay first of all,
    I don’t think its freaky at all. Here in America, we are given freedom of speech, also freedom of religion, and Forever 21 has the right to do whatever they please. I’m a Christian, and stand for what they are doing. To everybody else that’s against this store, don’t shop there if you hate the Christianity beliefs. Realize that America was brought up by Christian ways, and our founding fathers also wrote the Constitution with Christian values. But what has our world become today? Here in America, the media is all against Christianity. When some other religions: Muslim, Buddhist, etc is presented, the media doesn’t bash at it and become discriminate. When Christianity is brought up, the media attacks the people. Just realize that even though you may not believe in God, or think that Christians are stupid, know that God wil always love you. You might be thinking why is she using this Jesus trash, but the truth will always be in the Bible<3

  38. 2009 May 14
    Carissa permalink

    EVERYONE…CALM DOWN!!!!
    THEYRE JUST F***ING SHOPPING BAGS.
    YOU CAN YELL OUT YOUR BELIEFS AND PREACH TO PEOPLE ALL YOU WANT AND YOU DONT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
    BUT THEY WRITE ONE BIBLICAL VERSE ON THE BOTTOM OF THEIR BAGS AND EVERYONE ACTS LIKE IF THEY WERE RUNNING A SWEATSHOP…WHICH THEY ARE!!!
    YOU SHOULD BE MORE FOCUSED ON HOW THEIR PRODUCTS ARE MADE AND NOT WHAT THEY ARE CARRIED HOME IN.

  39. 2009 May 29
    brooke gaffney permalink

    doesnt the name “forever 21″ represent eternal youth? like youre never going to stop being young, and have fun, and care about looking good and buying the best style (from the store)?..[living it up?]

    For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

    so its talking about eternal life and youth, not “OH EM GEE BELIEVE IN GOD, OR YOULL GO TO HELL”

  40. 2009 May 29
    brooke gaffney permalink

    you’re forever 21 [yrs old] ?

  41. 2009 July 1

    LISTEN TO ME YOUNG ONES,

    this is God.
    if you dont like the bible verse on the bag, then when the clerk asks you to bag your items, say “no thank you”.
    Problem solved.

    simple as that.
    may you all have joy in your life.
    Love,
    the man upstairs.

  42. 2009 July 1

    Hey God, you must be a retard. Can’t you read?

    Love and kisses,
    The Heathen

  43. 2009 July 13
    Shay permalink

    I personally feel that If you do not believe in a company’s message then it is your RIGHT to avoid shopping there. I just noticed the verse this morning and it doesn’t bother me one bit, but then again I’m not an atheist. As far as the clothing fraying or ripping: You get what you pay for :) We all know its cheap, would you expect anything else?

  44. 2009 July 29
    Ballen permalink

    How I cared enough to post something is beyond me…
    But seriously? You’re ranting about something on the bottom of a bag. It’s not even on the inside so when you empty it out you can easily see 3:16. No, you have to physically flip the bag over to see it. So it’s not like anyone looks there because they figure that’s where they lost their cell phone.

    Besides, whether or not you have bias against the whole religion thing or not, you cannot deny that religious based organizations tend to use 100% of the donated monies from such places at Pizza Hut or wherever to do charity work, like say if a hurricane hits, they can come in and help rebuild.

    So I seriously suggest you get off you righteous little high horse before you go attacking something that may, yes be overall flawed, but does more good in this world than bad. So yeah, granted it may not be right in your eyes that they put 3:16 on bags, and make you feel personally attacked, but it’s America, so if you don’t like it, leave them a complaint in their little “suggestion box” and never go there again

  45. 2009 July 29
    Ballen permalink

    By the way, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with many people who are deeply involved in religious groups and organizations, and when I asked them about things like abortion and gay/lesbian marriage and what they believed the law should be, they all simply answer “pro choice” because that’s what everything comes down to, is what we as individuals believe and how we choose to act upon them. If there is not a heaven and hell, then atheists lived a pretty guilt free life, and if there is, well atheist still lived a pretty guilt free life, except they’ll just have hundreds of millions of people who are religious lining up to tell them “I told you so.”

  46. 2009 July 29

    “Besides, whether or not you have bias against the whole religion thing or not, you cannot deny that religious based organizations tend to use 100% of the donated monies from such places at Pizza Hut or wherever to do charity work, like say if a hurricane hits, they can come in and help rebuild.”

    Yes, actually I can deny that. The owner of Dominoes spends his money on anti-abortion groups. That’s just one example of many.

  47. 2009 July 29

    P.S. I’m sick of you guys commenting THE SAME SHIT over and over when, if you took the time to look at the comment section, you’d see that I’ve said time and again:

    “I WILL JUST NOT USE THEIR BAGS. END OF DEBATE.”

    I just found it to be odd that the bag had 3:16 on it. What about Jewish customers? Muslim? Atheist? It’s just weird, that in AMERICA, where we have freedom of religion, people are still viewing the country as a Christian nation. Guess what, WE AREN’T. I’m pretty damn patriotic and guess what kids…being patriotic DOES NOT mean being Christian.

  48. 2009 August 13

    Satan only wants to distroy the world.therefore you all should be thankful to read messages about JESUS because He is your passport to Heaven.

    Everybody would die someday and whoever did not accept Jesus as their savior will go to hell .

    You probably dont care, but your death can be tomorrow or even today.
    It is your choice.

    Eternal life is your own choice.

    Life in this earth finishes and your souls have to go somewhere :heaven or hell.

    love

  49. 2009 September 24
    Cat permalink

    It’s kinda funny see they way we, as a generation, think these days.
    I mean its all you to believe what you want to believe, but come on, all the crappy stuff that happens in this world and people are creeped out by “John 3:16″ on the bottom of a stinky bag?!
    it makes no sense.

    God saves, in my opinion.
    Your own opinion is what matters in your own life, what you do with it is what matters to everyone else and their mother.

  50. 2009 October 20
    Marley permalink

    HAHA Sure a lot of crappy stuff happens, a lot also caused BY RELIGION. No one has decided to pray for their children instead of seeking urgent and needed medical help or commit a terrorist attack on September 11th because they’re an atheist. And don’t worry Christians, I don’t like and don’t support ALL religion, not just yours, so don’t feel special and entitled. Because that’s all you want, which is why you’re religious (:

    Thanks for the tip, Dollface!

  51. 2009 December 24
    Victoria permalink

    I don’t understand what all the fuss is about, it’s within their right to place the scripture on the bags. I have no problem with it; if anything it helps clarify the meaning of the stores name. Luckily we all have the right to believe what we want, say what we want, and shop where we want.

  52. 2009 December 27
    MARINA MARTINEZ permalink

    HEY I THINK IS OKAY ..NUMBER ONE STORE THAT PUT BIBLICal IN THERE BAG THAT MEAN THAT THE OWNER KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOINT AND IT NOTHING TO BE SCARED PEOPLE …IF I HAVE A STORE I WILL DO THE SAME THING …WHY ARE U SCARED ..HUH??? WOULD U LIKE THAT THE BAG HAD A SATAN MESSAGE …NO WAY!!! GOD IS EVERYTHING..AM SOO HAPPY THAT THEY HAVE JOHN 3:16 ….THANKS FOREVER 21…I FEEL SAFE THAT MY MONEY IS GOIN TO SOME1 THAT BELIVES ON THE BIBLES..AND NOT BAD AND SATAN`S STUFF LIKE URBAN BEHAVIOR!!!!

  53. 2010 January 6
    Debra Jane permalink

    do you not use money either because it says in “God we trust”.

    dont touch it!! lol

    good point but it’s not that big of a deal..dont use the bag or dont shop there and dont use American money

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