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Holy Cow! You got your Jesus in my hamburger!
From our top-rated guide to the secret menu to Eric Albertoni’s stomach-churning pictorial on surviving the ingestion of a 20×20, In-n-Out has long been Badmouth’s favorite fast-food establishment.
But the secrets of In-n-Out don’t stop at the menu. Sharp-eyed patrons have noticed that there are biblical passages inscribed on the wrappers of In-n-Out’s burgers, sodas and milkshakes. How did they get there? What do they mean? Can a Double-Double technically take the place of a Communion Wafer? We’ll attempt to answer these and other pertinent questions on the following pages.
Why are there biblical passages on he fast food wrappers at In-n-Out?
In-n-Out is a privately held corporation. They are still completely owned by the Snyder family. And the Snyder family is down with the G.O.D. And that’s OK with me. The Snyders can do this because they own In-n-Out lock, stock and barrel — and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Since the Snyders own the entire chain and have refused to franchise, they don’t only get to slip Bible passages into your cheeseburgers. They also get to demand that all of their hamburger is ground at their own plant. They get to decide that none of their food will ever be frozen (so all locations must be within a few hours drive of Southern California.) In short, the Bible passages are just another sign that In-n-Out is owned by real people, and not a soulless corporation.
Do the Bible passages mean In-n-Out supports radical anti-abortion groups, intelligent design, anti-homosexual agenda or ground-beef-based faith healing?
We have no idea what the Snyders do with their money. It’s possible that they spend it in ways that we wouldn’t approve of. But hey, McDonald’s is mowing down the rainforests, Carl’s Jr. employs Paris Hilton and we have it on good authority that the guy in the Burger King outfit molests sheep. (OK we made that part up.)
The point is it is entirely possible to be religious without being intolerant. We know that In-n-Out makes great hamburgers, they pay their employees well and provide them with full benefits and paid vacations. Sounds like they are Christians in the good sense of the word to me.
What are the biblical passages and where can I find them?
We’re so glad you asked. There are four different Bible passages. We’ve took photos, looked up the passages and provided a brief analysis, complete with grading below:
1. Burger and Cheeseburger Wrappers
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
This is my personal favorite. It’s religious. It’s food related. And it’s from the book of Revelation, which was obviously written while the apostles were dropping acid. A+
2. Double Double Wrapper
Nahum 1:7
“The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,”
Good solid Christian message. I feel I have to deduct points because I had to look up the so-called “Book of Nahum” to prove to myself that it was actually in the Bible. B
3. Milkshake Cup
Proverbs 3:5
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”
I would give this message more credence, but people if it was that easy to know what God wanted you to do, everyone would do it. In fact. the people who seem most certain that they are doing God’s will tend to be the biggest assholes. Evidently God wants us to hate fags, kill the Western infidels and invade Iraq. If that’s the case, I’d rather “lean on my own understanding.” God gave me that, too. C-
4. Soda Cup
John 3:16
“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.”
This is best line in the Bible. It’s like the Cliff Notes version of Christianity. It may be a little overdone, but you can’t beat a classic. A-
Conclusion
So there you have it. Everything there is to know about the Bible passages on the wrappers at In-n-Out.
I don’t understand why people would be upset with a reference to a bible scripture being in a place that is not obvious in the first place, or why it is a problem that if in fact they do give to organizations that are pro-life and pro-traditional marriage. Your only speculating anyway. Yes, some Christians are well certifiable, but 98% of them are not. I have worked and been friends with homosexuals, they know my beliefs and that I will vote for traditional marriage, but they also know that I love them just as I love everyone else. I have always had and will always have their respect. I do not preach to them, but when asked I do answer with my honest opinion of how I read the bible, but it is done with no disrespect and no judgement toward them. Just because I am pro-life, I have a lot of friends that are pro-choice. That is their choice. The one thing I do want to point out is that all countries over thousands of years have only recognized traditional marriage, if it was natural and accepted as something that is normal, then why hasn’t it always been? Same with abortion, it is not natural to terminate a pregnancy. The one thing they don’t tell you before you have an abortion is the high risk to your body later down the road, with increased risk of cancer or scaring that prevent later pregnancies. Or the fact that you will need counciling for a very long time. Everyone I have ever met that had an abortion done are very much against it now and live with a tremidious amount of guilt. I think that if it continues to be legal, they should have available some counciling for that healing process.
Dear Mr. Marcotte
I understand the fervor with which you are satirically addressing traditional marriage advocates because I was once just as fervent. That I have come to understand the position of traditional marriage advocates is why I am writing you today. Christianity has influenced my beliefs both then and now but I have come to understand how misguided I was then. Jesus refers to Satan as the father of lies and lies are morphed into an image of truth under his influence. As lies and deception look more and more like truth we can be caught up in its power. Ultimately its power fades, leaving us in a murky, muddy, messy place. To make a long story short; Leviticus (one of first five books of the Bible called the Pentateuch and is considered sacred in the Jewish and Chrisitian based faiths) lists in 2 different chapters most of the sexual deviations humanity could possibly conceive (including incest, beastiality and homosexuality) and calls them abominations. In the final book of the Christian sacred scriptures Revelation 21:27 it says, “and nothing unclean and noone who practices abominations and lying, shall ever come into it,’(the holy city of Jerusalem, come down from heaven and prepared as a bride for the Lamb), ‘but only those whose names are written in the Lambs’ book of life.” And chapter 21:8 tells us, “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolators and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
It is for this reason that advocates of traditional marriage should be fervant in their beliefs. The father of lies would have us believe that God has either changed His mind about homosexuality being an abomination or that there is no God (who could make such a law). But since Christians worship a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever, the first claim does not hold up (the books of Leviticus and Revelation were written approximately 2000 years apart and stand firm in their descriptions of the wicked) and as for the second claim, psalm 14:1 tells us, “The fool says in his heart, ‘there is no God.’”
(We might consider that laws give us the opportunity to be obedient or not, allowing us to choose either God’s way that leads to heaven or our own way that leads to hell.) Many people have found reasons in their lives to hate and rebel against God and His laws (which were and are meant to bring us peace and a long life) but unless these individuals find their way back to God – all will be lost for them in the next life – which is all that really matters in the end.
As for Christians who are hypocrites (every belief (religious or not) has them), Jesus tells us that many are called but few are chosen. The truly religious and true believers are few and far between. We have to work hard for what really matters and attaining heaven is no different. Obedience to God’s laws that are primarily meant to bring us peace and long life or repenting and turning back when we have not been obedient (and the message of Jesus’ ministry)is the hard work that we are called to do.
I love this response Judi. Perfectly said. God bless you.
Come on Folks !
As someone else wrote, let’s calm down and just enjoy the food. . . . as for some of the profits, I don’t know if In-N-Out gives money to anti-gay causes, but if you want to go down that road then avoid Carl’s since the Karchers have for some time funded anti-gay groups (specifically, they gave quite generously to the Proposition 8 movement which reversed the California Supreme Court’s decision that gays and lesbians had a right to marry under the state’s Constitution).
Most of the anti-gay writing is limited to the Old Testament which endorses everything from slavery to polygamy (e.g. Abraham, David, Solomon), to an “eye for an eye” mentality while condemning the eating of shellfish or pork (unless, of course, you are in a Chinese Restaurant).
I wish right-wing Christians would remember that Jesus was not crucified for saying “consider the lilies of the field and how they spin” but for going into the temple and turning over the tables of the money changers and then challenging the religious hierarchy by saying “you have made my Father’s house a den of thieves”.
So next time you are enjoying a Double-Double and suspect that the couple next to you are gay, ask yourself “What Would Jesus Do?” and be sure to empty your trash when you leave.
Pax vobiscum.
We love your institution and will now look for the verses, and God bless you. Sure wish you were in Tacoma, WA where we have to spend 1/2 our life wondering which burger to suffer with!
…and if believing in this Christ guy is the only way to this heaven place, then I guess I’m with the 3/4 of the world who won’t be going. So much for this notion of love and inclusivity. Oh well, I’d rather spend eternity with Ghandi than with George Bush anyway. Happy trails
I for one will never eat at another In-n-Out Burger again; nor will I pay for any item from there for my children. Their support of anti-gay and anti-choice legislation is not speculative. It is a fact. I cannot knowingly support any organization that uses my money for positions that are so filled with hate. And yet they have no problem with taking the money from the very people they would deny rights to. Also, the fact that they would sneak in their little bible verses smacks of attempted brainwashing–this may sound a little way out but think about it. Do we really need a fast food joint sneaking in their beliefs? How about sneaking in some information on better nutrition instead. At least then they would be doing some actual good.
Donna,
If you’re afraid of a wrapper or cup brainwashing people, what do you think of people actually doing that? Do the cashiers attempt to convert you to some other belief system?
What you’re saying makes sense, but it has no logic. People usually don’t peer under their cups, and I’m sure in most cases even if they do the next place the cup ends up is usually the garbage can. Besides, most people who see the verse likely don’t even know what it says (unless of course they read this article) so what’s a word and numbers going to do? If they really want to know what it says, they’ll go get a Bible and look it up. That’ll be their choice, not In-n-Out’s.
There’s a lot of material put out by plenty of other companies in the world that support things opposite to what In-N-Out Burger may or may not support. Go shop or eat there. I can think of corporations that support things I don’t…I choose not to purchase whatever they may have for sale, but that’s my choice. I’m not to worried about others going to that same place…we are all different and think differently. That being said, with America being a free country and with In-N-Out privately owned, is it so bad to print something the majority of people won’t even notice anyway? And it can’t be too brainwashing…obviously the only effect it’s had on you is to cause you to only take up an issue.
I understand you won’t want to eat there, and that’s totally cool you feel the way you do. Just remember; the fact is that life’s full of little stuff we don’t like…but it’s the same way for the other guy. You do your thing and they’ll do theirs. If you’re afraid of In-N-Out making everyone believe one thing, and your goal is equality and fairness, make sure you don’t unknowingly have your goal as being to get everyone to think as you.
I appreciate your input…well written and it made sense. I hope this does as well.
And to everyone else…the 4×4 Animal Style is the best ever.
Donna…you are joking, right? First off, I’m willing to bet you have eaten at In-n-Out for at least 20 years, and have those “little messages” brainwashed you yet? Didn’t think so! Not to mention most anti religion people like you, seem to claim Christians “hate”, yet every post I’ve ever read from an “Anti”, is always hate filled, and mean spirited. Enjoy your crappy McDonalds cheese burgers from now on!
Mom Elle said: “The one thing I do want to point out is that all countries over thousands of years have only recognized traditional marriage, if it was natural and accepted as something that is normal, then why hasn’t it always been?”
That’s a lame rationalization. Slavery existed for thousands of years, it was condoned in the Bible, but it’s morally wrong and has been trashed.
“Same with abortion, it is not natural to terminate a pregnancy.”
I guess Jesus is feeling guilty about all those miscarriages, then.
Jimmy,
I think perhaps you may be a little mistaken in your interpretation of the passages you may of heard or read.
The bible never condones slavery especially in the form our culture is most familiar with.
The first century world was not the same as today and many people entered into slavery willingly as a means to meet their personal or families financial obligations. Slaves were treated very well clothed, housed given a fair wage and often owned land. Many slaves would be richer financially than a great number of free people depending on who their master was.
When the bible says slaves obey your masters like many passages there can be many meanings but the literal one encourages people to honor their commitments and authority rather than saying any form of slavery is a good thing. Especially when we look at what Paul is talking about in the book of Ephesians he trying to teach us when you are in a relationship that is hierarchal i.e. Parent- Child or Boss-Employee it is better to have the heart of a servant rather than one of rebellion.
I believe that looking at the bible passages through their cultural, historical and literary context can be very helpful with determining the overall meaning of any verse.
I know many Christians that do this to hammer their own self service agenda down people’s throats and it is my hope I don’t come across that way.
Regards,
Drew
Great place to enjoy some of the best original prepared hamburgers. Today, I just learned about your “secret” menu and am very happy to have visited your website. Keep up the great cooking for consumers who want their hamburger and fries made to their taste. Uhmmmm good!
I am not religious at all, in fact I don’t even believe in God or any of that drama…If I were to worship something, it would be the deliciousness of In N Out!!!! They are privately owned and they are placing these “codes” inconspicuously, and if you are paying that much attention to your food containers, you might have issues!!! lol I am kidding. The point is shut up and just eat!!!