Hotel Bibles are still a thing. But for some brands, they're on their way out.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

“The concept of putting a Bible in-room is an outdated practice and is exclusive to the religious denomination that believes in that scripture only,” Alastair Thomann, CEO of Generator and Freehand Hotels, said in an email. “We don’t provide Bibles in-room because our travelers are so diverse, and we want our properties to feel inclusive of all varying beliefs and spiritual traditions.”

Even some older names — the Borgata in Atlantic City and Travelodge UK — were ahead of the secular pack. Travelodge UK moved Bibles from rooms to the reception desk back in 2007 “in order not to discriminate against any religion,” according to a statement.

Provenance Hotels, with 14 properties in the United States, offers guests a “spiritual menu” in their rooms that lets them call the front desk and request the book of their choice.

That solution is welcomed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Wisconsin-based organization that promotes church-state separation and embraces nontheism. The group regularly asks hotels to remove religious literature from rooms when they have conventions, and it sells $3 stickers — “perfect for hotel rooms” — with a skull and crossbones that say “Warning: Literal Belief in this book may endanger your health and life.”

link

I don't think normal people want to read the bible?

Al

[we can do it]

1. I put them in the recycle bin.

I’ve been in some pretty small rooms and don’t want half a drawer filled with one.

[Croney]

2. I always flip through them for money.

That was a thing long ago, putting a dollar in a hotel Bible. I've never found any, and certainly never put any in. As an atheist I'm not interested in reading it, but haven't had the heart to deface or destroy it. Just leave it be.

[Duppers]

3. Excellent news! K&R

Thanks for the information.

[jls4561]

4. The only downside it that now the lyrics to Rocky Raccoon

will need footnotes.

[CentralMass]

6. A classic.

Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room
Only to find Gideon's Bible
Gideon checked out, and he left it, no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival

[Doreen]

5. I stayed at Embassy Suites in Portland for Christmas..

I looked out of curiosity and there were no bibles. I slept well too.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. I've stayed in literally thousands of hotels in my lifetime....

And I would say that when I bother looking, or opening the nightstand drawer, there is a bible there almost every single time, and I have stayed in just about every single mainstream chain there is.

I just leave it. However, if when I walk into the room for the first time and find one on the desk or otherwise in plain view, I’ll toss it in the trash, particularly if it is open.

On rare occasions I’ve found them open and something pointing to a specific verse. This is either the manager or the housekeeping staff proselytizing. Sorry, don’t need it and don’t want it.

In certain western states you will find The Book of Mormon as well as a volume of “The Teaching of Buddha” on occasion. The Teachings book very often in Canadian hotels.

The Marriott Chain, Founded by J.W. Marriott, whose family are members of the Mormon religion, is known for placing The Book of Mormon in rooms, as well as a Gideon Bible. I must say I can not ever recall checking into a room in a Marriott property and finding either on a tabletop.

[progressoid]

8. Yeah the Marriott Hotels I've been in have always have both in them.

Of course I've only been in the US. Not sure what they do outside the borders like in Saudi Arabia.

[crono]

11. you threw it away

why? i always just put it back. its got nothing to do with the book itself, just feel weird about damaging personal property.

[A HERETIC I AM]

12. Why? Because that is the first impulse I have when it's clear someone is trying to proselytize

Last edited Thu Feb 27, 2020, 10:33 PM - Edit history (1)

to me.
Tossing into the trash can a book that has been handled by possibly hundreds of others, and left in the room with the understanding that it is there for the taking, hardly makes it "personal property".

Since it is very likely the same housekeeper that left it there will clean the room after I leave, she or he can just take it out of the bin and put it back on the desk if they want to.

But I will have made my point, regardless of how insignificant it is.

[crono]

13. that makes sense

[A HERETIC I AM]

10. Well, for that matter, they are equally effective in keeping hotel rooms Mongoose free as well.

Ditto Rhinoceros. And Elephant.

And quite a few other mammals as well.