Why do hotels have Bibles in rooms?

The Gideons and Hotels: A History As travelling salesmen, the founders of The Gideons International knew a thing or two about life on the road. They understood that people, far from home, might seek comfort or solace in the familiar words of the Bible. By 1908, they began placing Bibles in hotel rooms.



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Most major hotel franchises allow individual hotel owners to decide whether or not to stock their drawers with religious scripture. And as more hotel chains aim to attract Millennial travelers, they are taking Bibles out of their rooms.

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When Marriott opened its new Moxy and Edition hotels, they decided they wouldn't put religious books in the room because the “books don't fit the personality of the brands,” a spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times. Millennials are the least religious generation in American history.

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Why do hotel rooms have Bibles? We can thank Gideon International for this sacred hotel amenity. The organization was formed in 1899 after three traveling salesmen met in a hotel room, and by 1908, it was distributing Bibles to hotels around the United States, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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In the United States, it is not legal to record hotel guests in their private spaces without their consent. This includes not just video recording but audio recording as well.

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The number is so feared that many hospitals and airports avoid using it for rooms and gates and couples don't get married on the 13th of the month. According to Otis Elevator Company, around 85% of elevator panels omit the number 13. What's more, entire hotels are built without a 13th floor.

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These surveillance cameras are there for security and to help maintain the safety of the hotel's staff and guests.

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Overall, white linens are an easy way for hotels to set their standard for cleanliness. White is an easy color to get dingy and stained, so when a guest sees a perfectly white set of sheets, they'll feel more comfortable and confident in the hotel cleanliness and housekeeping.

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It's all thanks to a clever gizmo known as an HVAC scent diffuser. These are ultra-quiet attachments to heating/air conditioning systems that use high amounts of air pressure to deliver nanoparticles of scented oils uniformly around a room, area, or building.

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Early tall-building designers, fearing a fire on the 13th floor, or fearing tenants' superstitions about the rumor, decided to omit having a 13th floor listed on their elevator numbering. This practice became commonplace, and eventually found its way into American mainstream culture and building design.

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By Matt Soniak | Mar 18, 2012. Because the Gideons put them there! The Gideon Bible is not some special version or translation of the Bible that hotels really like (the books are usually plain old King James Versions); they're named for the group that distributes them.

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Hotel Policy Some hotels allow guests to take the Bible as a complimentary gift, while others do not. It is best to check with the hotel staff or read the information provided in the room before taking the Bible. Taking the Bible without permission may be considered theft, and you may be charged for it.

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Gideons International Even today, members must be current or retired businessmen, at least 21 years of age, who are members in good standing of an evangelical or protestant church. The Bibles they distribute are free and meant for anyone who finds worth in them, so feel free to take one home if you feel so led.

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Use a flashlight Here's how it works: Many modern cameras have a lens that will reflect bright light. So, turn off the lights in the room and then turn on your flashlight. Move the flashlight slowly around the room, focusing specifically on areas where you suspect a camera may likely be hidden.

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Use a flashlight
Many modern cameras have a lens that will reflect bright light. So, turn off the lights in the room and then turn on your flashlight. Move the flashlight slowly around the room, focusing specifically on areas where you suspect a camera may likely be hidden.

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If your privacy was invaded by a hidden camera, you may be able to file a hidden camera lawsuit. The most frequent legal theories used in these cases are based upon: The legal theory of negligence; Negligent infliction of emotional distress.

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