# Why does the clothing store, Forever 21, reference the Bible on their shopping bags? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 1, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047 "2004-01-01T01:56:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/21 "2004-01-02T04:53:53Z")
Wow, I had barely finished reading this when I walked into the closet and saw a “Forever 21” bag laying on the floor. Upon immediate examination of the innocent unadorned yellow plastic bag, I saw the “John 3:16” printed twice on the bottom, hidden among the folds, one in each direction. I think it’s kind of cool, and at least one more person (the OP) now knows what that verse says. Didn’t imagine that it would be so distressing to some. I suppose that if one didn’t like it, then he or she could choose not to go to Forever 21. Next time I’m with my wife there I want to ask the salesperson if she is aware of it or has heard comments. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/22 "2004-01-02T05:27:49Z")
If this thread ever gets moved to **GD** , I’d be happy to point out why **Garfield226** and **netscape 6** are wrong. With regard to the **OP** , however, the corporate website contains the following: > [@](#): > > The Changs’ profound sense of business ethics is the result of their strong religious faith and belief in the innate goodness of humanity. Much of the Changs’ success is invested in endeavors such as biannual missionary trips to improverished countries." (Any typos are because I had to re-type the quote, as the [original is contained in a Shockwave file](http://www.forever21.com/swf/press.swf).) Likely the explanation of why they include a Biblical verse on their shopping bags. ---
**Author:** ![Daoloth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/82dd89/32.png) [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/23 "2004-01-02T05:28:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aldebaran \* > \*\* Imagine for example a Muslim buying some stuff where a Christian designer has put the words “Jesus is God” on, then flying back home where some Wahabbi-style regime sentences him to death when discovering what he has with him? \*\* Well, I do have a Muslim friend who purchases from there now and again, but to be fair she makes trips to Iraq, and not the Kingdom. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/24 "2004-01-02T07:38:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chefguy \* > \*\*Since it is the only game in town, it’s proseletyzing, not freedom of speech, and they know it. Arrogance, pure and simple. > \*\* So because there is not another airline they don’t have a right to speak their mind? ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/25 "2004-01-02T08:13:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by netscape 6 \* > \*\*So because there is not another airline they don’t have a right to speak their mind? \*\* They have every “right” to, but it’s one which shouldn’t be exercised. When I purchase an airline ticket, I presume it will be strictly a business affair, not a force-fed lesson in religious ideals (regardless of how minor the medium). ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/26 "2004-01-02T14:05:27Z")
netscape You forget one extremely important detail: If I buy something where things that would bring me in danger in an other country are **visible** when I buy it, then I’m aware of what I buy and it is completely my responsibility if I want to take it with me. If I buy something wehre such things are inserted, printed on, added in any way possible, while **hidden** from my view when I buy it, those producers bring me in danger when I import those products and they do that very explicitely in a covered way. You can’t be serious when you say > [@](#): > > I think it’s a much more rational expectation to expect visitors to look over their soveniers for legal issues in their homeland before going home. You must be joking. So whenever I give for example my suits/shirts/whatever to the laundry of a hotel, I must be expected to undertake a search for hidden bible quotes when they return, because it is only normal people put such rubbish there? And whenever I buy no matter what, I must search for such hidden messages on it, in it, on the packing? I’m sorry, but if you defend such lunaticism then you must be out of your mind. **Nobody** on this globe has any right to put me in danger in any way. If I ever would discover such arrogant hidden lunaticism on whatever I buy or coming with whatever service I have paid for, those who did it should be prepared for me to ruin them by all means. I do hope that you can see why. Salaam. A ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/27 "2004-01-02T14:15:28Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Garfield226 \* \*\*You are incorrect, sir. If I choose to open a business and offer a product, it is completely within my rights and freedoms to embellish that product with whatever speech I choose (outside of a very few, predefined terms). Your choice is to purchase the product as it is, or not. It is not your right at all to put **any** hidden messages\*\* on a product I buy, ot on its package. If you want to do this, you must **warn** the custumors about that **on forehand**. It is not the task of the client to undertake a search for what you in your lunaticism want to add on a product that has nothing to do with your proselytizing at all. If I buy a Bible, I know I buy a Bible. If I buy a product with no reference to Christianity at all, there is no right whatsoever of the producer to put references to Christianity on that product or its package **without warning me about this when I buy it, or without putting it visible on the product or its package or without making it clear in the advertising for it**. Salaam. A ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/28 "2004-01-02T14:59:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Aldebaran_ > If I buy a product with no reference to Christianity at all, there is no right whatsoever of the producer to put references to Christianity on that product or its package without warning me about this when I buy it, or without putting it visible on the product or its package or without making it clear in the advertising for it. I’m not going to engage in a debate in GQ. I will say, however, that this is factually incorrect. You might wish this was so, but there is no US law or regulation that says a private company can’t put a religious, social or other message on a bag. If you think I am incorrect, please point me to legal authority that states otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![netscape\_6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8c91f0/32.png) [@netscape\_6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/netscape_6)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/29 "2004-01-02T15:48:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duderdude2 \* > \*\*They have every “right” to, but it’s one which shouldn’t be exercised. When I purchase an airline ticket, I presume it will be strictly a business affair, not a force-fed lesson in religious ideals (regardless of how minor the medium). \*\* I’ll agree with some of that. The airline should not force feed you religion, but I would not call a piece of paper on the infilght meal force feeding. All the Chinese restaurants around here have placemats with the Chinese Zodiac on them. However I nor just about if not everyone who eats at them does not feel like they are being forced fed the Chinese Zodiac. I’d be too full after the buffet to eat it anyway. Have you tried asking them to leave it out of your meal beforehand? If they refuse to leave it out then I WOULD call that force feeding and recommend you raise a big stink about it at the very least. ---
**Author:** ![Standup\_Karmic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/30 "2004-01-02T17:30:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoff \* > \*\*I’m not going to engage in a debate in GQ. \*\* The concept now has its own thread in GD. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=232722](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=232722) ---
**Author:** ![Aldebaran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Aldebaran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aldebaran)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/31 "2004-01-02T17:58:23Z")
Zoff, I am most certainly correct that nobody has the right to bring me in any danger, or do you think anyone has that right because he/she happens to be US citizen? Salaam. A ---
**Author:** ![Zoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/6de8d8/32.png) [@Zoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoff)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/32 "2004-01-02T18:10:28Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Aldebaran_ > I am most certainly correct that nobody has the right to bring me in any danger You are not correct. You are simply making things up. Please provide a link to legal authority that says that a person in the United States may not sell products with religious messages. ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2004, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047/33 "2004-01-02T23:56:45Z")
> [@](#): > > They have every “right” to, but it’s one which shouldn’t be exercised. That’s my favorite part. It’s a right, but it shouldn’t be exercised. Not much of a right, that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-clothing-store-forever-21-reference-the-bible-on-their-shopping-bags/222047.md?page=1)