Editorial: Bring back the Bibles
- Mar 27, 2008 - 7
For 100 years, many weary travelers have been pleased to discover a complimentary copy of the Bible in their hotel room, thanks the The Gideons International. According to the organization, each Bible placed in a hotel room has the potential to reach up to 2,300 people in its estimated six-year lifespan, and about 25 percent of travelers read the Bibles in their hotel rooms.
An article in Newsweek magazine, however, indicated a growing number of hotels are opting not to allow the placement of Gideon Bibles. The hotels point out that society is evolving, and a younger, hipper generation has no interest in the Bible. They also say they would have to cater to a variety of belief systems and could not single out Christianity.
“In the rooms of Manhattan’s trendy Soho Grand Hotel, guests can enjoy an eclectic selection of underground music, iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs and even the living company of a complimentary goldfish. But, alas, the Word of God is nowhere to be found,” the article begins.
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary, noted the tragedy that awaits if people aren’t given the chance to encounter God’s Word when they find themselves troubled in a hotel room.
“Are they now to look for salvation and solace from an iPod docking station or a goldfish?” Mohler asked. “This development is another reminder that we are living in a time of tremendous cultural and moral change. The absence of Gideon Bibles from an increasing number of hotel rooms tells us something about the secularization, sexualization and extreme sensitivities of our age.”
The Gideons receive testimonies almost daily of lives changed because of the Bibles they’ve placed, including one man who planned to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. The man said he threw the Bible onto the hotel room floor and it fell open to John 14, where Jesus says He gives peace. Now the man is a pastor, and his family has been restored.
The Baptist Messenger is confident our readers can make a difference in helping bring back the Bibles. We are asking readers like you and all Oklahoma Baptists to make a call to the front desk when checking in to a hotel. If a Bible is present, express your appreciation to the hotel staff. If you are unable to locate a complimentary Bible, let hotel management know how much you would appreciate having one available and that you would like for them to consider having one in every room. Pray God will stir in the hearts of hotel management and prompt them to provide complimentary Bibles for their guests. While you are at it, pray God will work in the lives of every person who visits your hotel room in the future.
When you have the opportunity, be sure to thank the Gideons. The Gideons International was founded in 1899 and is the oldest Christian business and professional men’s association in the United States of America. Approximately 1.3 billion Scriptures have been distributed worldwide since 1908. Their goal is to distribute Scripture to select public locations where people may find answers to life through an encounter with the Word of God.
Oklahoma Baptists, let’s do our part to help bring back the Bibles! A simple telephone call to the front desk of the hotel could make all the difference in the world.
This article is reprinted from the March 6, 2008, issue of the Baptist Messenger, the newspaper of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma.
7 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 1:31pm, Lisa Nicholson wrote:
I would be interested to know which motels/hotels in the US are choosing not to put bibles in their place of business so I can choose to not stay there. Do you know if there are certain chains that are not permitting it?
2 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 1:45pm, Leo wrote:
I spent many wonderful years as a Gideon, helping to share Bibles in my city. It strikes me as funny that repeated surveys indicate that the younger generations are looking for spiritual connections...yet, suddenly, these hotels that cater to every other aspect of a younger generation are unwilling to keep something that is TOTALLY FREE! Did I mention that there is absolutely NO FEE to a hotel for bible placement? In fact, Gideons will even place Testaments in whatever color the hotel desires...no matter the cost. All we ever asked was an opportunity to place God’s Word.
So - I have to wonder if there is another reason for this…
3 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 2:10pm, George Hickman wrote:
It would be great to get a list of the hotels and locations where they are opting out of placement of bibles. This would be useful in a variety of ways, so individuals could express their concern about their absence, avoid booking in their hotel, and those who have the ability and conviction to may campaign for a boycott of their establishments.
George Hickman
4 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 3:06pm, Mary wrote:
Gideons International continues to place Bibles in Hotels, nursing facilities, and prisons all over the world. In addition the Gideons Auxiliary places Bibles in medical facilities such as doctors offices, dental offices, and out-patient clinics. The Gideons organization also distributes copies of the New Testament to students, medical personnel, prisoners, and military personnel. We can all join the Gideons in their ministry by keeping them in our prayers. Pray that these men (and women) will find open doors and receptive hearts to receive the Bibles and Testaments. Pray for those who receive the Bibles and New Testaments that God’s Word will change their lives. You can learn more about the Gideons organization by visiting their website at http://www.gideons.org.
5 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 6:27pm, George Wadding wrote:
First off, Leo, thank you for your service to many who were encouraged or comforted by your ministry. I, too,wonder at this seemingly sudden “need” to avoid any semblance of favoring Christianity. From this point forward, when making reservations at ANY hotel that will be the first question I ask.
I am responsible for a conference later this month. I intend to call the hotel tomorrow and confirm that they have a Gideon Bible in the rooms. Obviously it is too late for the group to change venues, but I will assure them that they have guaranteed that I will do everything in my power to see that no group I am involved will ever patronizes their facility again.
Ford seems to have finally gotten the point that it is not wise to offend people like you and I.
There are many things in contemporary society I cannot alter, but I can determine where I spend my money and there are companies who have never seen one of my discretionary dollars.
6 On Apr 1st, 2008, at 11:17pm, Franklin Walker wrote:
Effective immediately, I will be asking at the desk if there are Bibles in the room. If there are not, I will seek out another lodging facility for my business. Unfortunately, most of the affordable motels are now ran by foreign nationals who do not subscribe to the Christain faith. This makes for a scenario all too condusive to not having a Bible in the room.
7 On Apr 2nd, 2008, at 8:41am, Charles Enlow wrote:
Years ago, a couple of Gideons invited me to join the organization. I wanted to continue to buy and distribute scriptures on my own, but also wanted to help the Gideons in their work, but knew that travel, meetings and dinners might mean that less of my resources would be available for the primary goal of distributing copies of God’s Word. But I told them OK, I would join and participate to the extend my finances would allow.
They gave me an application, and I noticed that I needed to have my pastor sign and attest to my membership in good standing in his congregation - Baptist. I attended there regularly, tithing, etc., but I am a non-denominational, and therefore not a “member”, so I told the men that I would have to withdraw from consideration.
I still contribute to their efforts, but cannot be a member. Strange, no?