So Long, Gideons

If the hotel is going to have a bible, why not the Quran, or the Torah? Or even the 8 Fold Path? The shift away from mainstream Christianity is a good one, because Christians need to remember this: Not everyone believes what you do, and you would do best to respect that.

I'd like to see the bibles replaced with a copies of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Our downfall may be iminent, but it won't be from a lack of bibles, but the appalling lack of knowledge on the part of American citizens about their rights and responsibilities in our Republic.

not just to whom it may concern , but in fact to all becouse it concerns us all ,that the moral decline has not just sunk to this all time low but in fact there is this push toward headinism that has all but bankrupted our system and sense of ethetics and morals .. It is unfortunate that we the silent group wheather minority or majiority haas sat by and watched with our eyes wide shut and allowed this moral mud slide. The problem is not those who seem to want this decadent life style but in fact those of us who want just simply call wrong wrong , .And brother this is wrong , Im not sure what all the points of responce ought to be, but I do know that for those of us who know that the Bible is the truth, and the fundamental standerd for moral and spiritual destinction , ought not to first plan a boycot but in fact a public prayer meeting where we appoligise to GOD ,our country and our children for our neglegence ,apathy, and indifference . And maby in our prayer of repentence we ask for a renewed sense of responcibility and to rightiousness wher we dont wait on someone else to do something ,But in our own sphere of exhistance wheather in the community or on the job or maby even at the bus stop we began with God given courage ,and conviction to as the song writer said let our little light shine every where we go ,upand down the streets Im gonna let it shine let it shine let it shine let it shine . In conclusion it is no longer an issue of option or oppertunity , but in fact an issue of urgency ,and obligtion , if we are to hope the potential of another decade of life as we now know it . ie: one nation under GOD indevisible with liberty and justice for all, if you move GOD out of the senarial were just one nation under . Lets start by preying and begging GOD for forgivness ,but then lets get off our knees and stand to our feet as believers and declare unnequivacablly ,that ,America is a great nation ands has benefited wondersouly becouse of GODs sovergn grace .m But even grace has a limit . I'd like to ask that all that know and name the Name of Jesus would genuanly and boldly ,say so ,and not be ashamed .

It is interesting to see how many posts here take for granted the conclusions the writer draws about a "trend" based on a handful of anecdotes and literally nothing else. The editor must be pretty desperate for "filler" around the declining ad page count in this dying enterprise to present its readers with such thin gruel. It's one more bit of anecdotal evidence of the long term decline of the dinosaur "mass media". Goodbye Newsweek.

It's amusing how many of these posters take this story at face value, as if the refusal of a handful of hotels to accept the offer of free Bibles placed by the Gideons represents a "trend". Newsweek must be pretty desperate for "filler" around their shrinking number of ad pages to wasted space on such thin gruel. The Bibles cost the hotels nothing and add zero to the cost of guests, unlike virtually everything else in the room.


Over

We have found that some motel / hotel operators have discovered that the Gideon Bible often discourages thief. One Jewish motel in souther Maryland made that comments after accepting Gideon Bibles in their room after years of refusal. He claimed he lost far less to theives than ever before.

Interesting that people become very afraid of a book in these days particularly if it goes against their aberrant lifestyle.

We have found that some motel / hotel operators have discovered that the Gideon Bible often discourages thief. One Jewish motel in souther Maryland made that comments after accepting Gideon Bibles in their room after years of refusal. He claimed he lost far less to theives than ever before.

Interesting that people become very afraid of a book in these days particularly if it goes against their aberrant lifestyle.

We have found that some motel / hotel operators have discovered that the Gideon Bible often discourages thief. One Jewish motel in souther Maryland made that comments after accepting Gideon Bibles in their room after years of refusal. He claimed he lost far less to theives than ever before.

Interesting that people become very afraid of a book in these days particularly if it goes against their aberrant lifestyle.

Check the condition of the hotel bible next time your in a room. Look at the bindings and look at the edge and see if you can tell what chapters were opened most. I've not seen one in pristine condition and I know that they get checked/replaced once a year. What stories could they tell? What comfort or encouragement was given? We'll never know, but the hotel owners should consider these 'silent witness' to the debate.
Isnt it bad enough that rooms are sterile, institutional settings without removing the one tool that help you to personalize your experience?
If there isnt one in your room, check with the other people in your party. If they have one, that means someone stole yours. And may God bless the reading of His word.

Look at the condition of the hotel bible next time your in a hotel room. I've rarely seen one in pristine condition. And I know that they get checked/replaced once a year. Its mute testimony that people are seeking more than condoms and the dice games outlined in Newsweeks articles. Dont find one in your room? Check to see if the other folks in your party have one, and you realize some one stole yours. To which I say God bless the reading of His word. Some one found, in a quiet moment, something they desperately needed to find.
Which customer will have the fonder memories of the establishment?
The one with the hangover after the one night stand ?
Maybe the owners should investigate the condition of the 'silent witness' hiding in the drawer as part of the debate.

This article would give you the impression the people staying in hotels have given up religion and are single couples on flings. I doubt it. I suspect there are a lot of honeymooners on vacation and a lot of retired couples travelling, but what else is new? These days a young single couple wanting to tryst hardly need to rent a room or sneak around. Anyway the image of condoms vs. bibles is a false dichotomy. Besides it is pretty rude to only put the sacred text of one religion in the room when not everyone belongs to it and not everyone reads in English. Simple solution, put a computer in every room and you can go online and read the sacred text of your choice.

This article would give you the impression the people staying in hotels have given up religion and are single couples on flings. I doubt it. I suspect there are a lot of honeymooners on vacation and a lot of retired couples travelling, but what else is new? These days a young single couple wanting to tryst hardly need to rent a room or sneak around. Anyway the image of condoms vs. bibles is a false dichotomy. Besides it is pretty rude to only put the sacred text of one religion in the room when not everyone belongs to it and not everyone reads in English. Simple solution, put a computer in every room and you can go online and read the sacred text of your choice.

First I would like to say that Christianity is not the only religon in the U.S....let alone the world. If it would be unfair to provide only a Christian bible, that would not be "catering" to all clientele. Second, most true religous individulas have their own bible and chances are, if you are that religous to want one in you room you have brought yours. So why should a Hotel take the time to stock one type of Bible when 90% of the people are not going to use it. Also, I think it is a great idea for hotels to offer condoms. Since the fact is, if your on vacation...your going to have fun, why not be safe about it.

I think that it is certainly the choice of the hotels to cater to their clients. I would not expect an business owner to do anything less. On that same vein, I would also expect that Christians should start asking before booking if a Bible is provided in the room. If the hotel doesn't, I would think that the Christian should tell the Hotel he/she will be booking at a hotel that caters to a Christian client; and then hang up and make another reservation elsewhere.

What's all the hubub, bub? If you want a bible in your room, bring your own. No one is stopping you. If the "adult kit" is in the mini bar, you shouldnt be worried about your kid finding it - you should be worried about why your kid is rooting around the minibar. If you don't want your kid to see the condoms in the bathroom, put 'em on the top shelf of the closet. If you don't want the adult kit available in the hotel gift shop, don't buy it. C'mon people - if you don't want the bible in your room, just put it outside the door, or drop it off at the front desk. Same with anything else you don't want in your room. Or, call management to have them pick it up. But it seems like extreme silliness to get all worked up about it. What bothers me with the Gideons is when they stand outside my kid's public school shoving bibles in kid's hands as they walk out the door. My kid took one to be polite, then gave it to us when he got home. I don't like the idea of anyone standing at the door of a middle school and shoving pamphlets in the kids hands, regardless of their intent. It sounds creepy to me. The school was unaware of them doing this, as they were out of sight of the school offices.

And those of you who think it's ok because it was a "just a bible" - would it still be ok if it was a political tract? Or an advertisement? Or a free sample? How about a non-christian book? The Koran? Would you still be all for it? How about if you went to a hotel, and each room had a full library of religious literature? The IChing? A book of wiccan spells? You may not like it, but everyone doesn't believe in just one god. Not everyone who believes in one god believes it is the same one you worship. You may not like it, but not everyone agrees with the whole "end times" thing, not even every christian.

I believe that Jesus died for us all. We choose to accept him, or not. "Choose" is the key word. We each have the right to choose. If you "choose" not to read the Bible, then don't. It is common knowledge that there is more than likely going to be a Bible in a hotel room and it most likely will be in the nightstand drawer. Leave it alone, trash it - whatever. That's your "choice". But don't infringe on my right to believe in it's validity and have it available to me, in yes a hotel room.

Maybe shut up was a liitle harsh but man our kids should be allowed to pray why is it those who don't know God are offended? Shouldn't we be offended not to have bibles and not be allowed to pray? When do we get our freedom? Or someday will we go to jail for worshipping the one and only almighty God maker of heaven and earth. This is where we are headed with all those against God complaining and being offended to something that has been here for years. It would appear you are on the wrong side. What about our rights? We want to see God in our country. Will our statues have to torn down next?