I heard that taking a Gideon Bible isn't technically stealing because they want you to take them. Is this true?
2007-12-29 02:59:39 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Does anybody have a source to support their claim that it is/isn't stealing? (Preferably one from the Gideons)
2007-12-29 03:06:08 · update #1
I stayed at a hotel once where there was a Gideon convention. It was pretty hilarious considering my own reason for being there...let's just say it wasn't exactly a Gideon-approved activity. But I talked to some of them in the lobby, like these kids around my age (I was 19), and that was one of the things I asked them. And apparently, it's a free-for-all. Take it if you want it - or rip out the pages and use them for rolling papers or whatever - and they'll "place" another. They aren't like the Hare Krishnas who will only give you their lentil recipe booklets if you donate.
2007-12-29 03:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
My good friend is a Gideon, and they are happy if someone takes the Bible, as long as they read it. The Gideons will replace any Bibles that are taken (or vandalized, too).
You can't "steal" it, if someone is giving it to you as a free gift.
2007-12-29 03:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by blacksheep5050 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Umm... I've never heard that. But even though I'm an atheist, I think it's a little disrespectful to be stealing the symbol of someone else's religion. Steal towels if you have to get your jolly off, but if you have to steal anything... don't make it a bible. lol!
2007-12-29 03:03:34 · answer #3 · answered by harperbrandyalexander 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they DO want for you to have it.
Example: If you opened that same "Bible" drawer and saw a $5 bill sitting atop the Bible, you'd take it, wouldn't you? Ergo, the same applies to the Bible.
2007-12-29 03:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that's true.
Of course they only want you to take it if you intend to read it. So one could argue that it's a conditional gift, and that if you break that condition by taking it with no intention of reading it then that is stealing.
2007-12-29 03:04:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know. but it is stealing. the bibles in the hotel room is for everyone who rents the room to look at.
2007-12-29 03:03:55 · answer #6 · answered by bcrekmore 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not literally. They want you to read it and learn from it, and leave it for the next guest. It may the difference between life and death to them. They may read it, find Jesus Christ, get forgiveness of their sins and have life. If you take the Bible, that same person won't have it to read, won't find Jesus, and will be lost only to find death when they die.
2007-12-29 03:06:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hope it is not stealing. I have already 666 pcs here. Should I send them back?
2007-12-29 03:04:25 · answer #8 · answered by kwistenbiebel 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please take them. They are donated for that purpose and there are plenty more where they came from. There really are free Bibles in the world.
2007-12-29 03:08:59 · answer #9 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO
Because , on the bible it wasn't stated that you can bring home FREE
2007-12-29 03:05:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋