Hotels Get Smart, Remove Bibles

http://www.luxist.com/2007/11/18/lux...ose-the-bible/

We've seen a lot of hotel trends over the years, plasma TVs, the rise of free wi-fi, pillow butlers, in-room fitness equipment and all sorts of adjustments as hotels adapt to the greening of America but the latest might just be the disappearance of an old favorite. ABC News has a story on the fact that luxury hotels are ditching the tradition of the Bible tucked in the bedside drawer.

[Kitsune]

Some of the comments with this article are gold.

I will be asking if the bible is provided as it has been in the past when I phone to reserve my room. If the hotel responds NO....I will book with another hotel that does include the bible in the room. These bibles have been provided FREE of charge by The Gideons. There is NO good reason to remove the bible from the hotel rooms.

I will certainly put that on my prerequisite list when searching for a hotel. Those places can be risky enough without leaving out the most important thing in your life...your religion.

Shit, people are strange. The room sleeps the same with or without the book in the drawer -- they'll get over it. It's not like these same people that feel this uncomfortable about a room without a bible in it (gasp!) don't have their own they carry with them when they travel.

But, dammit, where am I supposed to hide my cash during hotel stays, now? Next thing you know, they'll be removing the hidden stash of booze business travelers leave in the toilet tank on checkout.

[monster]

I don't see the point in removing it. It does no harm being there and can come in useful either as a spiritual guide for those who walk that path, or as a handy supply of emergency paper for the rest of us.

[Happy Monkey]

Anything else that is... donated... by a passer-through is removed.

And I don't think that "remove" is really the right word. I don't think most Gideon Bibles are actually left behind after a stay anymore; a better way to put it is "stop helping the Gideons distribute them".

People who can't sleep without a Bible nearby probably have one already; Gideon Bibles are a form of prostelyzation.

[glatt]

But the kids won't understand the lyrics to Rocky Raccoon any more if they are removed.

[Cloud]

the debbil will enter through their ears in their sleep if there's no bible in there.

[Michaela]

I don't read anyway when in a hotel room so....

Originally Posted by monster

I don't see the point in removing it. It does no harm being there and can come in useful either as a spiritual guide for those who walk that path, or as a handy supply of emergency paper for the rest of us.

As long as you feel the same say about LaVey's Satanic Bible.

[bluecuracao]

I've noticed over the past few years that many hotels have been ditching the minibars, and even the minifridges altogether. Now that's a real shame. Not only do I not get to pop open a beer or champagne split immediately upon entering my room, I also have nowhere to put my leftover delivery pizza.

[Sundae]

When I lived in Leicester my parents stayed at the Holiday Inn - ludicrous prices, but they had Clubcard points from supermarket shopping so it was free.

There was a notice in the minibar that said any drink removed would be charged unless the occupent could prove it was later replaced. It's a pressure sensitive automatic billing system. My Mum - very respectful of authority - wanted to phone up Reception and ask if they culd use the fridge anyway. I said, "God, no Mum - they'll only feed you some line because it's more trouble for them! Just take all the stuff out like you usually do and pretend you didn't see the sign. They'll be plenty of idiots who genuinely didn't, they must have a way to process it!"

So they put their supermarket lunch fixings and alcohol in the fridge as usual and didn't consume anything provided by the hotel. Sure nuff it wasn't a problem. Although if I know Mum she would really have hammed it up at the desk

[lookout123]

As long as you feel the same say about LaVey's Satanic Bible.

sure, why not? no one can force you to read what is sitting in a drawer. if some group wants to raise the money needed and build the infrastructure to donate the texts i have no problem with them sitting in a drawer waiting for someone who is interested in reading them. i don't see it as any different than all the little flyers you find in a hotel lobby area showing local attractions.

i honestly don't see what the big deal is either way. if a hotel owner wants to put them there, cool. if not, cool. i book my hotels based on the quality of the property, proximity to my reason for visiting, and price - in that order. the contents of the nightstand drawer don't enter into the equation.

[wolf]

I've stayed in Marriott's a couple of times in recent years. Their drawers contain a Gideon Bible (KJV), a Book of Mormon, and The Book of Marriott.

[Ibby]

I feel...
Much, much better now.

Someone lemme know if he gets less annoying, 'kay?

Chickenshit #2
He announced it... LOL!!! what a baby.

Originally Posted by wolf

I've stayed in Marriott's a couple of times in recent years. Their drawers contain a Gideon Bible (KJV), a Book of Mormon, and The Book of Marriott.

Looks like a good read. I liked the Home Depot one.