A Rant of Biblical Proportions
I’m not the most religious person in the world, but I grasp the basics. Love thy neighbors? Check. Love thy enemies? Sure, why not. Funny enough, those are the same people.
I vaguely recall tales of a colossal ark and water that gets you drunk, but the finer points elude me. As a kid, my mom tried to indoctrinate me into Christianity. She’d lecture and threaten, hoping to steer me away from eternal damnation. I can’t blame her, though, for trying to literally scare the hell out of me.
I studied religion through hell and high water, but ultimately, it just wasn’t my cup of wine. There’s only one occasion in which I still see The Good Book, and no, it’s not at church. I’m talking, of course, about on vacations.
Which brings me to my rant of biblical proportions. Let’s talk about this bizarre tradition of finding Bibles in hotel drawers. Why in God’s name (ha) do they do that? Why prioritize scripture over, say, decent pillows? I have a couple of theories.
- Hypothesis #1: Hotels are playing the guilt card. They’re trying to scare us with good morals; figuring we’ll think twice before stealing their crummy towels, soaps, pens, shampoos, sheets, televisions, beds, windows, and even employees.
Sorry, but it doesn’t work. We’re all guilty of swiping a towel or two, and the Bible isn’t about to change that. Heck, it’s part of my unofficial travel guidebook. Besides, most people who check into motel rooms are already committed to doing something naughty.
- Hypothesis #2: It’s all about the money. Religious groups are cozying up with hotels to turn a profit.
Since God doesn’t pay priests until the afterlife, perhaps they’ve resorted to second shifts in the motel lobby. No longer do they live on donations placed in smelly straw hats. And brace yourselves, because this is likely only the beginning. Soon we’ll be checking into hotels like Saint Hyatt and Our Lady of Hilton.
Regardless of the motive, this practice feels problematic. It’s not politically correct. What about other religious books? Where are the Torahs? Where are the Qurans? Where are my unofficial travel guidebooks?
I suppose there are bigger fish to fry, but it’s still worth noting. With separation of church and state, and separation of church and school, there’s not really much time left for separation of church and bedside table.
113 Comments
Stepherz
I've always thought that was weird as well. I always just assumed that god poofed them there. And depending on your religion, a different book was there. My hotels always seem to have books by Darwin… Lol.
Anyways, sure I'd love to be affiliates. I already added you. 🙂
Delilah
AHAHAHAHA.
Yes, I growled at yoo (:
Delilah
Grrr… 😀
Chrys
Yeah, I've always wondered about that as well. Silly bibles. I'm an athiest but the first thing I do is look in the bedside table for the bible just so I can rant about it to my dad =/
Where is "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins, I ask you? That's basically an atheist's handbook, and a seriously good book incase you're interested 😉
But these Official Travel Guidebooks, they sound like fun! I'll have to get my hands on one of them because I'm always stealing those cute little Hotel-Notepads with the matching pens =) It's a must-do but I have to wonder what other holiday stuff I've been missing out on… Get writing!
Ben
I always think that when I see a bible in the hotels. I mean what if that's not part of their religion?! Or surely we could bring our own if we wanted to read from it? I don't know. :L
Oh thanks for the tutorial *will use when not in lazy mood*
Shellz
The only thing I've taken from hotels is the soap. xD
I'm a Christian so I believe in God.
I get what you mean though…hmm, I'm not sure why they put bibles in the drawers, I noticed that to.
Jen
TEEHEE YAR
Bre
haha, i very much enjoyed your all true answers. 😀
anyway, i've gotten so used to Bibles being in ever bedside table in hotels that i forgot about them. I barely remember they're there until we need PIZZA or take out, then I open up the drawer and bam! It's there! haha.
Jhase
Oh I know! I'm being so lazy about that. I mean the layout and shit is up, I just need to fill in the links and put up the writing. I'll try to get some done before I turn in to sleep today.
Oh and you are so not going straight for Meryl Strep. I refuse to let you be fooled by the love lips. XD
Helene
Thanks ^_^
Yes it is! I think so xD
Shur
I'm so going to do a pact for web owners to pledge to have no hiatus in a full year. I am da bomb.
Merete
Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. 🙂 Sup? ikr. HE IS SOOOO CUTE ! ;D
Lee
I steal EVERYTHING from hotels…
EVERYTHING INCLUDING TOWELS AND TOILET PAPER.
AND SOMETIMES A LITTLE MAT IF I CAN FIND ONE
AND A CAPS LOCK POTION.
There are no problems with WordPress, although it's stressful to replace all those codes with new ones. Ngauyusdg3t!
Thanks though!
Kiara
I think they put them there just in case anyone needs it. Sometimes people are just going thru too much and don't know what to do. And I learned in church, if you don't know what to do or where your life is going turn to the Bible which will lead you to God. And sometimes, people don't always have a bible with them lol.
Sammy
yes I am doing better 🙂
but I'm doing 3pm-12am shifts all week over at a Maple Syrup plant :S haha. So my feet and back are really sore.
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