Who owns the bible in hotel rooms?
Nov 7, 2008, 5:35 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: TLV
Posts: 522
Who owns the bible in hotel rooms?
In most hotel rooms that I've stayed in in the U.S., there is a bible, inside which is printed "placed by the gideons" or "placed by the church of jesus christ of latter day saints" and such.
In view of the recent bans on gay marriage, I really dislike latter day saints' stuff shoved in my face wherever I sleep.
Is the book property of the hotel? If not, who owns it? Could I take the book and toss it into the garbage, or would that be illegal / property damage? (No, I don't have a "moral" problem with throwing a bible into a trash can.)
If it is property of the hotel, I wonder if I could bug guest services by asking that the book be removed from the room while I stay at the hotel because its presence offends me.
In view of the recent bans on gay marriage, I really dislike latter day saints' stuff shoved in my face wherever I sleep.
Is the book property of the hotel? If not, who owns it? Could I take the book and toss it into the garbage, or would that be illegal / property damage? (No, I don't have a "moral" problem with throwing a bible into a trash can.)
If it is property of the hotel, I wonder if I could bug guest services by asking that the book be removed from the room while I stay at the hotel because its presence offends me.
Nov 7, 2008, 7:17 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
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The short answer, I suspect, is that it belongs to whoever wants it.
I worked at hotels as a teenager. The bibles are sent to hotels for free by the Gideons (or, in some cases, some other religious organization). We used to have boxes and boxes of them in the basement. A Gideon representative would come around every year or two to make sure there were enough.
I guess technically they belong to the hotel; but since they are provided en masse for free, I can't imagine that the hotel would really feel much ownership interest in them.
I think the "I'm not a Christian and I don't want to have this in my room, will you please come and remove it" line would almost certainly work.
I worked at hotels as a teenager. The bibles are sent to hotels for free by the Gideons (or, in some cases, some other religious organization). We used to have boxes and boxes of them in the basement. A Gideon representative would come around every year or two to make sure there were enough.
I guess technically they belong to the hotel; but since they are provided en masse for free, I can't imagine that the hotel would really feel much ownership interest in them.
I think the "I'm not a Christian and I don't want to have this in my room, will you please come and remove it" line would almost certainly work.
Nov 7, 2008, 11:16 am
#4
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Or just place a Prop 8 sticker inside. Knowing that possibly a gay person(s) slept in the same bed should provide some comfort to the LDS folk.
Nov 7, 2008, 6:06 pm
#6
Former user name: laundrian
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I probably take your advise and throw it out next time, or ask them to remove it because I took it very personal after this week...
Nov 7, 2008, 8:11 pm
#7
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FWIW: I don't recall the aLoft hotels nor W's having bibles in the rooms. "Intimacy kits" yes...
Nov 10, 2008, 4:49 am
#9
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Nov 10, 2008, 11:49 am
#10
Join Date: May 2004
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Oh how I love him more!
My friend has long said it is the best work of fiction ever written....
I suppose that if you want to own the book then it's yours
My friend has long said it is the best work of fiction ever written....
I suppose that if you want to own the book then it's yours
Nov 10, 2008, 12:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Here is a related thread from a year or so ago:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=749817
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=749817
Nov 10, 2008, 3:01 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2007
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Marriott is not our friend.
Sam
Nov 10, 2008, 5:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Washington, DC
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Yet, Marriott is privately held and the family that owns it are LDS. What I do NOT know is if the family was a contributor to Prop 8. They don't obviously appear in donor records. They've also been in trouble with the Church over other issues (porn in the rooms) before. I think one should have evidence of their contribution, not just guilt by association.
BTW, for the fabulous among you...Marriott also owns Ritz Carlton.
Nov 10, 2008, 6:07 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I'm not sure about that. Marriott corporation received a perfect score in HRC's corporate equality index this year. So, as a company they're better than: Circuit City (55), Dole Food (45), Heinz (48), Nestle Purina Petcare (15), and the kicker: Exxon Mobil (0!!!). By all means don't put Exxon gas in your car.
Yet, Marriott is privately held and the family that owns it are LDS. What I do NOT know is if the family was a contributor to Prop 8. They don't obviously appear in donor records. They've also been in trouble with the Church over other issues (porn in the rooms) before. I think one should have evidence of their contribution, not just guilt by association.
BTW, for the fabulous among you...Marriott also owns Ritz Carlton.
Yet, Marriott is privately held and the family that owns it are LDS. What I do NOT know is if the family was a contributor to Prop 8. They don't obviously appear in donor records. They've also been in trouble with the Church over other issues (porn in the rooms) before. I think one should have evidence of their contribution, not just guilt by association.
BTW, for the fabulous among you...Marriott also owns Ritz Carlton.
Sam