# You can take Gideon Bibles from hotel rooms, but what about this? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426 "2010-09-29T02:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/1 "2010-09-29T02:50:48Z")
In previous threads about Gideon Bibles, many Dopers have claimed that it’s okay to take a Gideon Bible. [One cite](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=130314). I found [this](http://imgur.com/YR0p4.jpg) in the bedside table of a hotel room where I’m staying tonight. Is it okay to take the Teachings of Buddha, or any other religious book, or are Gideon Bibles the only freebies? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/2 "2010-09-29T02:54:47Z")
Go ahead and take the Buddha Book. But leave the Yellow Pages, will ya? ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/3 "2010-09-29T03:03:22Z")
Awesome! Good to see the Christians getting a little competition on the hotel circuit. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/4 "2010-09-29T03:10:40Z")
If you meet the Buddha on the road, steal him. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/5 "2010-09-29T03:24:18Z")
I’d say anything left like that in the Gideon model is intended for your needs and you should take it if you need it. Incidentally, I just checked the nightstand because I’m in Salt Lake City and wondered if there was a Book of Mormon. Nope, but there is some “One Who Believed” book I’ve never seen before. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/6 "2010-09-29T03:28:04Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I’d say anything left like that in the Gideon model is intended for your needs and you should take it if you need it. > > Incidentally, I just checked the nightstand because I’m in Salt Lake City and wondered if there was a Book of Mormon. Nope, but there is some “One Who Believed” book I’ve never seen before. Don’t keep us in suspense. Who believed, and what did he believe? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/7 "2010-09-29T03:58:42Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I’d say anything left like that in the Gideon model is intended for your needs and you should take it if you need it. > > Incidentally, I just checked the nightstand because I’m in Salt Lake City and wondered if there was a Book of Mormon. Nope, but there is some “One Who Believed” book I’ve never seen before. I’ve seen Mormon books in Utah hotel rooms. And I wonder if any hotel rooms contain books preaching atheism. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/8 "2010-09-29T04:38:14Z")
I’ve found the Book of Mormon in hotels _not_ in Utah. I believe they were both part of the Marriott Hotel chain, which was founded by a devout Mormon. I have never seen any other religeous texts in hotel rooms. I think it’s cool that other religious groups are following in the tradition of the Gideons and sharing their texts with the world. ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/9 "2010-09-29T12:21:08Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I’ve found the Book of Mormon in hotels _not_ in Utah. I believe they were both part of the Marriott Hotel chain, which was founded by a devout Mormon. Well, that explains that. Some friends and I got a suite at a Courtyard by Marriott and we found a Book of Mormon there as well. We’d all commented on never having seen one in a hotel room before. I’ve seen Jehovah’s Witness literature occasionally. My last stay in a Hilton turned up not only a Gideon Bible, but also Conrad Hilton’s autobiography, _Be Me Guest_. ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/10 "2010-09-29T12:56:11Z")
I once encountered a copy of _The Book of Mormon_ at a Marriot in Gastonia, NC, and I never knew why until now. Thanks for the info. As a recommendation, if you don’t want to read that book, at the very least flip through and look at the illustrations, which are hilarious. Who would have guessed that the ancient Jews looked so much like the cast of _Baywatch_? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/11 "2010-09-29T14:20:12Z")
Rats, I just stayed at the Palmer House in Chicago (now owned by Hilton) and I forgot to check the drawers. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/12 "2010-09-29T14:51:20Z")
Um, I think I’m the first person to crack this binding! It’s bits from the life stories of several… interesting choices? About their faith. Including Samuel Morse, Babe Didrickson, JC Penney, Robert E Lee, Babe Ruth, and many more. It’s very weird. (Seriously, I thought we had disowned Morse these days?) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/13 "2010-09-29T14:52:21Z")
BTW, I’ll be in Temple Square sometime this week - I’ll be sure to score a Book of Mormon. I assume they give them away? ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Angel\_of\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_Doubt)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/14 "2010-09-29T20:20:11Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > I’ve seen Jehovah’s Witness literature occasionally. My last stay in a Hilton turned up not only a Gideon Bible, but also Conrad Hilton’s autobiography, _Be Me Guest_. Was that the title? I’m hearing Conrad in a leprechaun voice. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/15 "2010-09-29T20:28:08Z")
My copy of the Book of Mormon came from a hotel room in SLC. I tried reading it. It was dull. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/16 "2010-09-29T20:33:49Z")
Hey, I have that very book. And I got it from a hotel room. Like you I was curious if I could take it. My friend, who’s hotel room it was (Upscale, Bangkok), inquired. They said it’d be charged to their room. So I doubt you’re intended to just take it. When they next visited our hotel, they brought it, as a gift, to me!😃 Sweet, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/17 "2010-09-29T21:15:24Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > My copy of the Book of Mormon came from a hotel room in SLC. > > I tried reading it. It was dull. When I was in college, my group went to Los Alamos, NM. The hotel we stayed in had the Book of Mormon in the rooms, along with the usual Bibles. We had to take one with us, they were _such_ fun to read aloud. I think we found one chapter with seventeen consecutive sentences that began with, “And it came to pass…”. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/18 "2010-09-29T21:25:19Z")
You’re supposed to read these books? Then why are the the exact size to fix that wobbly table leg on the desk? And if you take it, what’s the next guy do? ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/19 "2010-09-29T21:26:49Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > I’ve seen Jehovah’s Witness literature occasionally. My last stay in a Hilton turned up not only a Gideon Bible, but also Conrad Hilton’s autobiography, _Be Me Guest_. I always hope to find a copy of _Jimmy James, Macho Business Donkey Wrestler_. So far, nada. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426/20 "2010-09-29T22:04:52Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Um, I think I’m the first person to crack this binding! It’s bits from the life stories of several… interesting choices? About their faith. Including Samuel Morse, Babe Didrickson, JC Penney, Robert E Lee, Babe Ruth, and many more. It’s very weird. (Seriously, I thought we had disowned Morse these days?) Morse? What about Robert E. Lee? We’re supposed to be inspired by the life story of Robert E. Lee? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-take-gideon-bibles-from-hotel-rooms-but-what-about-this/555426.md?page=2)