I'll declare an interest in this one up front; I'm one of the ministers at Parramatta Anglican Cathedral.
Just wanted to add to some of the comments above.
1. Yes, we have Bible apps! In fact we've got some quite sophisticated ones. I use a multi-platform system called Accordance along with others. On a Sunday morning I'll often follow along with the readings on my iPad, English on one side and the original text (Hebrew or Greek) on the other. There's some quite incredible work been done on the original text of the Bible with very complex grammatical tools for those of us who think knowing the original is important.
2. I've also noted the decline of Bibles in hotel rooms which, like others, I attribute to the a changing culture. The Gideons are the main supplier of Bibles and they're more than keen to keep them coming but some hotels are now choosing not to have them placed. This is often, I'm told, more about the desire "not to offend". As others have noted, I don't think it's particularly offensive but a business obviously gets to choose what they do with their product and PR departments have particular views on what may or may not damage their brand.
3. On the odd occasion that I've stayed in the ME there's always been a Qu'ran in my hotel room. I wouldn't expect anything else.
4. If you're in Parramatta and disappointed that you couldn't find a Bible in your hotel room then you know where to come! ;)
As I recall, Marriott used to place of copy of L. Ron Hubbard's book "Dianetics" in the same drawer as the Gideons Bible. Since the Marriott founder J W Marriott and family are Mormans, perhaps they feel they can.
I once found it on the bed side table when i checked in, but put it back in its place in the top drawer.
I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
have noted with interest that the trend of seeing copies of the Holy Bible placed by the Gideons and other such organizations in hotel rooms seems to be wan
Have you actually got an evidence that hotels decided to remove them because they're scared of offending someone? Because that sounds like the sort of nonsense people make up without evidence.
Have you actually got an (sic) evidence that I said anyone was scared. Because that sounds like the sort of nonsense people make up when they cant respond to what someone actually said in a discussion.
Given the ratio of urgently needing to look up some ancient text as opposed to other activities in motel rooms, surely it would be more useful to provide condoms in the top drawer. LOL
Last hotel room I was in had a copy of "The Bodysurfers" by Robert Drewe on the bedside table... possibly much closer to the Australian definition of religion than any other book mentioned in this thread.
I wouldn't dream of telling people whether or not they should be offended by a bible in their hotel room. So by all means tell us whether you have a personal issue with it or not. But please don't say words to the effect that no one else should be offended. I always have been, and always will be, offended by the presumption involved in placing uninvited bibles (or any other religious books) in my hotel room.
As I recall, Marriott used to place of copy of L. Ron Hubbard's book "Dianetics" in the same drawer as the Gideons Bible. Since the Marriott founder J W Marriott and family are Mormans, perhaps they feel they can.
I once found it on the bed side table when i checked in, but put it back in its place in the top drawer.
I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
Yes, my mistake. I meant the Book of Mormon, not the musical ....
As I recall, Marriott used to place of copy of L. Ron Hubbard's book "Dianetics" in the same drawer as the Gideons Bible. Since the Marriott founder J W Marriott and family are Mormans, perhaps they feel they can.
I once found it on the bed side table when i checked in, but put it back in its place in the top drawer.
I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
Yes, my mistake. I meant the Book of Mormon, not the musical ....
I'm in the "roll my eyes and roll with it" brigade. I don't need a Bible, or the Qu'ran, or the Torah, or anything else. I will object very strongly if someone tries to force me to read it, but the mere fact of it being there doesn't bother me in the slightest. Those who find it offensive or presumptuous are, IMHO, over-reacting. Freedom of speech is the foundation of a civilised and tolerant society. That includes the ability of a hotel proprietor to place religious texts in rooms, however much a particular patron might disagree with its contents. Now, if the proprietor tries to force his or her religious opinions on a patron, that is an entirely different matter.
Of course, there is nothing to stop patrons from leaving books by Richard Dawkins in the hotel bedroom drawer as well :-)
Last hotel room I was in had a copy of "The Bodysurfers" by Robert Drewe on the bedside table... possibly much closer to the Australian definition of religion than any other book mentioned in this thread.
Honestly, who had the time to downrate this witty and, let's face it, largely accurate remark? ;)
I look at a Bible or Koran in a hotel as a free offer from someone who does not know me but wants the best for me and I am free to choose to take the offer or reject it. While I may or may not agree with them I respect them for their wish to help others and I hope they and I suppose all of us continue acts of kindness.
What if Save the Children want to put some brochures in your room? Greenpeace? Oxfam? Cancer Council? [Insert thousands more charities]. Why should the Gideon's get special privilege with their Bibles?
I like playing with the Bible in my hotel room, to give housekeeping a good laugh or shock. Sometimes I'll put the Bible in the fridge. Or I'll open it half way and put a knife on it. Once I wrote on the first page "This story is fictional. Any resemblance to people living or dead is entirely coincidental".
Last editedby traveller99 at Mar 04, 2018, 10:17 AM.
What if Save the Children want to put some brochures in your room? Greenpeace? Oxfam? Cancer Council? [Insert thousands more charities]. Why should the Gideon's get special privilege with their Bibles?
Last edited
by traveller99 at Mar 04, 2018, 10.17 AM.
The Gideons dont get any special privelege, and all they do is supply bibles free of charge., and they do the work themselves, hotel staff are not bothered. They do not get or ask for anything in return.
I know the cancel council will supply sunscreen free of charge to organisations. so I am sure the hotels would welcome this free stuff too. Maybe you should be asking these organissations why they dont get off their bums and do what the Gideons do.
davidould
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hi everyone.
davidould
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I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
Blake
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Have you actually got an (sic) evidence that I said anyone was scared. Because that sounds like the sort of nonsense people make up when they cant respond to what someone actually said in a discussion.
worldwanderer
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Given the ratio of urgently needing to look up some ancient text as opposed to other activities in motel rooms, surely it would be more useful to provide condoms in the top drawer. LOL
xtfer
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Last hotel room I was in had a copy of "The Bodysurfers" by Robert Drewe on the bedside table... possibly much closer to the Australian definition of religion than any other book mentioned in this thread.
timster
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I wouldn't dream of telling people whether or not they should be offended by a bible in their hotel room. So by all means tell us whether you have a personal issue with it or not. But please don't say words to the effect that no one else should be offended. I always have been, and always will be, offended by the presumption involved in placing uninvited bibles (or any other religious books) in my hotel room.
sid
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Currently staying at the Fullerton Hotel in Singapore and they have a copy of "Teachings of Buddha" here.
OzTraveller
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I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
Yes, my mistake. I meant the Book of Mormon, not the musical ....
MatRad
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Why aren't there Harry Potter books in hotel rooms?
davidould
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I think there's a small amount of confusion here. Dianetics is one of the Scientology books. Marriott was a Mormon (as you note) so it's likely what you found was a Book of Mormon. Either way, I think you did the right thing with it :)
Yes, my mistake. I meant the Book of Mormon, not the musical ....
The musical is more enjoyable.
Ian_from_HKG
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I'm in the "roll my eyes and roll with it" brigade. I don't need a Bible, or the Qu'ran, or the Torah, or anything else. I will object very strongly if someone tries to force me to read it, but the mere fact of it being there doesn't bother me in the slightest. Those who find it offensive or presumptuous are, IMHO, over-reacting. Freedom of speech is the foundation of a civilised and tolerant society. That includes the ability of a hotel proprietor to place religious texts in rooms, however much a particular patron might disagree with its contents. Now, if the proprietor tries to force his or her religious opinions on a patron, that is an entirely different matter.
xtfer
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Honestly, who had the time to downrate this witty and, let's face it, largely accurate remark? ;)
Bruce7
Bruce7
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I look at a Bible or Koran in a hotel as a free offer from someone who does not know me but wants the best for me and I am free to choose to take the offer or reject it. While I may or may not agree with them I respect them for their wish to help others and I hope they and I suppose all of us continue acts of kindness.
traveller99
traveller99
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So where do you stop?
What if Save the Children want to put some brochures in your room? Greenpeace? Oxfam? Cancer Council? [Insert thousands more charities]. Why should the Gideon's get special privilege with their Bibles?
I like playing with the Bible in my hotel room, to give housekeeping a good laugh or shock. Sometimes I'll put the Bible in the fridge. Or I'll open it half way and put a knife on it. Once I wrote on the first page "This story is fictional. Any resemblance to people living or dead is entirely coincidental".
Blake
Blake
Member since 03 May 2017
Total posts 39
So where do you stop?
What if Save the Children want to put some brochures in your room? Greenpeace? Oxfam? Cancer Council? [Insert thousands more charities]. Why should the Gideon's get special privilege with their Bibles?
Last edited by traveller99 at Mar 04, 2018, 10.17 AM.
The Gideons dont get any special privelege, and all they do is supply bibles free of charge., and they do the work themselves, hotel staff are not bothered. They do not get or ask for anything in return.
I know the cancel council will supply sunscreen free of charge to organisations. so I am sure the hotels would welcome this free stuff too. Maybe you should be asking these organissations why they dont get off their bums and do what the Gideons do.