2006-12-13 01:51:51 · 6 answers · asked by imdachef2003 2 in Travel ➔ Travel (General) ➔ Other - Destinations
The emergence of this phenomena is commonly thought of as having originated from John H. Nicholson and Samuel E. Hill at the Central Hotel in Boscobel.
As pioneers, Gideons were traveling salesmen with missionary zeal and an understand of psychology. (1) The namesake of Gideons Commercial Travelers' Association of America was suggested by William J. Knights from the Book of Judges.
As of September 1898, a Bible was placed at the reception desk in each hotel frequented by Gideons to serve as silent witnesses in hotels in their passing, patrons to borrow and assist fellow Christians, in an era where books were a luxury to carry whilst journeying.
Some say the International Bible Society (IBS) made official this tradition and preceded the Gideon salesmen, as publishers since 1809. (2)
As to why it is the way it is today, it is simply a tradition based on old premises laid down.
Politically right or wrong, the discussion is open to independent minds to question the validity of:
- continuing traditional practices in promoting religious text;
- text with potential to be inflammatory to opposing religions;
- religion as an intrinsic altruistic message in freely distributable religious texts;
- equal representation of all religions and philosophies in public accomodation;
- sanction of charging royalties against potentially promotional material;
- to the nutty rationale of dry paper as a fire hazard.
Take your pick.
2006-12-13 06:24:38 · answer #1 · answered by pax veritas 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not just any bible. It's a Gideon's Bible.
Gideons International is an evangelical Christian organization dedicated to distributing copies of the Bible (in either the King James Version or the New King James Version in the United States, but other translations in over 80 languages in more than 180 countries of the world) to those who might not otherwise encounter it, most famously in hotel rooms. The organization was founded in 1899 in Boscobel, Wisconsin as one of the first parachurch organizations dedicated to Christian evangelism. It began distributing free Bibles, the work it is chiefly remembered for, in 1908, when the first Bibles were placed in the rooms of the Superior Hotel in Iron Mountain, Michigan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gideons_International
2006-12-13 01:56:57 · answer #2 · answered by $Sun King$ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because out there somewhere is a Christian who paid for that Bible (those Bibles) and who wants others/everyone to have the opportunity to know God's word. If you've ever read much of the Bible you will know that doing that is part of every Christian's job. Some do better than others.
2006-12-13 02:03:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are Gideon's Bibles. An evangelical group dedicated to leaving bibles in areas where people most likely woul never look. After all, most people rent motels to have sexual intercourse. After bringing in a prostitute and looking in the drawer you see a bible, how would you feel? I even saw a Gideon's Bible on an inner city bus one time.
2006-12-13 02:01:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hotels like to cater all needs, so they put the bible + sex TV magazine, ash trays, etc... putting a bible doesn't have to make you angry. Sometimes, people forget to bring their own bible & would like to read a verse or two before sleeping or before going out to work so it is good to find it.
2006-12-13 02:01:50 · answer #5 · answered by Theresa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wondered that to iguess it is just to make people feel at home because most homes have a bible.
2006-12-13 01:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by CaramelLuv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋