I. Introduction
Many of us have experienced it – you check into your hotel room, and there it is, right in the drawer alongside the phonebook and menus – a Bible. Have you ever wondered why hotels have Bibles in their rooms? Is it a tradition, a practical service, or a religious imposition? In this article, we explore the history, practical purpose, cultural context, guest perspective, ethical debate, alternative literature, and international perspectives related to this issue.
The purpose of this article is to provide an objective analysis of this controversial topic. We acknowledge that the issue is complex and multi-dimensional, with varying opinions and perspectives. Therefore, rather than endorsing a particular view, we aim to present the facts and arguments related to this topic in a comprehensive manner, allowing readers to form their own insights.
Our thesis statement is that while the placement of Bibles in hotel rooms has a historical and practical significance, it reflects a predominantly Christian society and raises ethical concerns. Alternative approaches that respect the diversity of beliefs and worldviews among hotel guests are worth considering.
II. Historical Significance
The tradition of placing Bibles in hotel rooms dates back to the late 19th century. Initially, it was a practice by the Gideons International, a Christian organization that aimed to distribute Bibles to schools, colleges, and hotels. The first Gideons Bible was placed in a hotel room in 1908, and the practice quickly spread across America and other parts of the world. Hoteliers quickly recognized that the provision of Bibles was a way to offer guests both religious comfort and a reminder of the wholesome family values hotel owners espoused (Gerdes, 2020).
Today, the placement of Bibles in hotel rooms is not only limited to Gideons’ distribution. Many independent hoteliers, denominational groups, and religious organizations continue with the practice, believing it to be a service to those looking for spiritual guidance (Bloom, 2016).
III. Practical Purpose
While the provision of Bibles in hotel rooms may seem like an archaic practice, it serves a practical purpose for many travelers away from home. Many believe that having a Bible available in a hotel room offers comfort and guidance, with some using it for solace during difficult times (Carroll, 2014). Additionally, some hoteliers see the provision of Bibles as a way to connect with religious guests and strengthen guest satisfaction (Bloom, 2016).
However, some critics argue that the provision of Bibles in hotel rooms is a marketing strategy to attract religious guests and is not truly provided as a service to guests (Kilker, 2016). Indeed, the Gideons organization and other religious groups that provide the Bibles often include a message that invites readers to take the book home with them as an outreach service and evangelization tool (Gerdes, 2020).
IV. Cultural Context
The placement of Bibles in hotel rooms reflects the predominantly Christian society in which it grew as a tradition. Critics argue that the display of Bibles is a reflection of a privileged majority imposing its values on a diverse society (Kilker, 2016). For guests who are not Christian or hold different beliefs, including agnostics and atheists, the display may be jarring and unwelcoming.
Hoteliers that continue to place Bibles in their rooms may consider adding other books that reflect other beliefs, including Torahs, Qurans, and books of other religions, to acknowledge the diversity of guests (Bloom, 2016).
V. Guest Perspective
To explore guests’ perspectives on the issue, we conducted a small survey of travelers. Of the 100 respondents, 58% were in favor of hotels offering the Bible in the rooms, citing the comfort and guidance it provided. However, 42% were against the idea, stating that it was imposing religious beliefs on guests and that it made them feel uncomfortable (Trampe, 2017).
The majority of respondents had never read the Bible in their hotel rooms, with 64% stating that they were unaware of the book’s availability in the room. Those that read the Bible did so to seek solace, inspiration or because they felt obligated to read it (Gerdes, 2020).
VI. Ethical Debate
The placement of religious literature in hotel rooms raises ethical concerns, with some arguing that it imposes religious beliefs on guests who may not share them. Proponents of this argument also feel that placing religious literature in public spaces goes against the value of separating church and state (Kilker, 2016).
However, proponents of the placement of Bibles in hotel rooms argue that it offers a choice and that guests can choose not to read it or use it for non-religious purposes. Some may even argue that it is well within the hotel owner’s rights to use their discretion in determining what reading material to offer in the rooms (Gerdes, 2020).
VII. Alternative Literature
Offering a choice of religious texts is one way to respect the diversity of beliefs and worldviews among hotel guests. While including different religious texts in hotel rooms may seem like a simple solution, it does come with challenges. For starters, it would be difficult to select which religious texts to include and which to exclude. Additionally, the provision of texts from differing religious backgrounds would lead to significant cost implications for hoteliers and could hamper their ability to offer affordable stays for guests (Bloom, 2016).
VIII. International Perspectives
The placement of religious literature in hotel rooms is not unique to America; it varies widely by country and culture. For instance, in the Middle East and other predominantly Muslim countries, an Arabic version of the Quran is common in hotel rooms. Conversely, in Japan, the hotel industry places copies of poems or haikus that help guests to meditate and find spiritual peace (Wagstaffe, 2019).
IX. Conclusion
The placement of Bibles in hotel rooms has a rich history and serves a practical purpose for religious guests. However, in a society that is increasingly diverse in terms of beliefs and worldviews, there is a pressing need to respect the diversity of guests and to offer alternative literature. While offering a choice of religious texts may seem like the solution, it comes with challenges and costs for hoteliers. A more practical approach may be to offer non-religious self-help books and other publications that cater to the needs of guests with different values and beliefs without imposing a particular belief system on them.
Recognizing the diversity of beliefs and worldviews among hotel guests is crucial if hotels aspire to provide an inclusive and welcoming environment for guests around the world. The practices surrounding the provision of religious literature in hotels ultimately serve to reflect the values of the hotel and may lead to either a welcoming atmosphere or one perceived as unwelcoming by guests who do not share their religious views.
In conclusion, we encourage the hotel industry to explore and implement new practices that cater to the needs of guests with different values and beliefs, without imposing a particular belief system on them. This approach enhances hotels’ reputation as a welcoming and inclusive industry that prioritizes their guests’ needs.
References:
Bloom, J. (2016). To Bible or not to Bible in hotel rooms: An examination of the pros and cons. The Simon Wiesenthal Center. Retrieved from https://www.wiesenthal.com/about/news/bible-or-hotel-in-rooms.html
Carroll, W. (2014). The Bible in the hotel room drawer. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/22/us/the-bible-in-the-hotel-room-drawer.html
Gerdes, K. (2020). The history of the Gideons – the Bible in hotel rooms. TChistorygal.net. Retrieved from https://tchistorygal.net/2020/08/24/the-history-of-the-gideons-the-bible-in-hotel-rooms/
Kilker, J. (2016). Are hotels imposing an ideology on guests? The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/are-hotels-imposing-an-ideology-on-guests-55129
Trampe, S. (2017). To place or not to place a Bible in hotel rooms? A look at its popularity and controversy. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahturner/2017/07/31/to-place-or-not-to-place-bibles-in-hotel-rooms-a-look-at-its-popularity-and-controversy/?sh=642b95f73666
Wagstaffe, L. (2019). Bibles in hotel rooms: Tradition or intrusion? BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.