Gideons bilbes removed

Kilted · 19th April 2005, 06:38 AM

Hi there just wondering what you all think of this BBC news Its of special significance to me as i live in one of the halls of residence at Stirling Uni, and although it says all rooms have bibles, they must've missed our corridor out

Lisa Simpson · 19th April 2005, 06:53 AM

I'm assuming Stirling is a secular university, in which case, I agree, the Bibles should be removed. People who want to read the Bible can get their own copies.

Did you check everywhere for the Bible? Perhaps it's someplace you haven't bothered to clean.

Gulliamo · 19th April 2005, 07:26 AM

I've always wondered why hotels have bibles in them. Especially given the number of Patel-hotels (hotels owned by Hindus). Who pays for these bibles? The hotel (and therefore the consumer)? Or are they donated by some organization.

DarkMagician · 19th April 2005, 08:15 AM

Obligatory Linkage

Kilted · 19th April 2005, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Did you check everywhere for the Bible? Perhaps it's someplace you haven't bothered to clean.

Yup i definately dont have one- seems my hall is full of unconvertable heathens. I do know there are bibles in the other halls however.

Also they weren't speeking of an outright ban - just the removal of the bibles from rooms (and putting them somewhere such as the communal areas, and encouraging other faiths to put their books there aswell).

Marquis de Carabas · 19th April 2005, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gulliamo
I've always wondered why hotels have bibles in them. Especially given the number of Patel-hotels (hotels owned by Hindus). Who pays for these bibles? The hotel (and therefore the consumer)? Or are they donated by some organization.

Most of the hotel Bibles come from the Gideons International, free of charge. It's their Gawd-given duty, they say. It may well be that similar groups have sprung up to do essentially the same--copycat crimes, if you like.

Quote:

from the link
This is a primary function of The Gideons, placing and distributing Bibles and New Testaments in the human traffic lanes and streams of national life.

TragicMonkey · 19th April 2005, 09:30 AM

As a child, I always liked looking at the Gideon Bibles while in hotels. They usually had one particular passage, I forget which, translated into lots of different languages. I liked seeing all the foreign script. I decided that Tamil is the prettiest, but looks really hard to read.

Marquis de Carabas · 19th April 2005, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
As a child, I always liked looking at the Gideon Bibles while in hotels. They usually had one particular passage, I forget which, translated into lots of different languages. I liked seeing all the foreign script. I decided that Tamil is the prettiest, but looks really hard to read.

I believe the passage in question is John 3:16.

uruk · 19th April 2005, 09:41 AM

What culture uses tamil?

Over here at a secular college, the gideons always come once a year to distribute bibles on campus, even though its officially against college policy to solicit.

Desertphile · 20th April 2005, 12:46 PM

I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover.

Gestahl · 20th April 2005, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by uruk
What culture uses tamil?

Over here at a secular college, the gideons always come once a year to distribute bibles on campus, even though its officially against college policy to solicit.

Southern India and Sri Lanka.

And indeed it is a pretty written language:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_alphabet

brodski · 20th April 2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Desertphile
I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover.

Would that warning be

"To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."

By any chance?

Blue Monk · 20th April 2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Desertphile
I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover.

Really? I like highlighting the dirty parts.

Some of that begatting goes on for pages.

Desertphile · 20th April 2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brodski
Would that warning be

"To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental."

By any chance?

More along the lines of http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/15/17369/0919

though I usually put something like "WARNING! Reading this book has been known to cause mental illness and drive people into violent homicidal behavior....." etc.

TragicMonkey · 20th April 2005, 07:18 PM

Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them!

thatguywhojuggles · 20th April 2005, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them!

It was several years ago, but I clearly recall ripping pages from a pornographic magazine I had purchased, and slipping pages of it into the motel room's bible.

In hind sight, I must say that was a bit disrespectful, however, I feel no regret having done so.

uruk · 21st April 2005, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Thanks. For a minute there I was begining to think that tamales had a written language.

TragicMonkey · 21st April 2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thatguywhojuggles
It was several years ago, but I clearly recall ripping pages from a pornographic magazine I had purchased, and slipping pages of it into the motel room's bible.

In hind sight, I must say that was a bit disrespectful, however, I feel no regret having done so.

That was horribly disrepectful, and you should be ashamed! Those models work hard, excuse the pun, and bring happiness to millions of readers. They do a difficult job with an enthusiastic smile, logistics permitting, and deserve respect.

Neutiquam Erro · 21st April 2005, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas
Most of the hotel Bibles come from the Gideons International, free of charge. It's their Gawd-given duty, they say. It may well be that similar groups have sprung up to do essentially the same--copycat crimes, if you like.

The Gideons, International, indeed. Headquarted right across the street from my office. Most days it's just embarassing, but sometimes I try to imagine it's kind of cool sharing the neighborhood with an outfit mentioned in a Beatles song.

Marquis de Carabas · 21st April 2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neutiquam Erro
The Gideons, International, indeed. Headquarted right across the street from my office. Most days it's just embarassing, but sometimes I try to imagine it's kind of cool sharing the neighborhood with an outfit mentioned in a Beatles song.

You think that's embarassing? My dad's the financial officer for the local Gideons' chapter.

Kopji · 22nd April 2005, 12:35 AM

In case the immoral heathen child-head-nailing atheists hear about all that money being left in bibles, it is an urban legend.

http://www.snopes.com/luck/gideon.asp

Jas · 22nd April 2005, 11:52 AM

I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO).

Taeolas · 23rd April 2005, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jas
I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO).

Actually, it's only the hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick (City I'm in at the moment), though since it's run by the River Regional Authority, the hospitals in Woodstock and Perth Andover may have them removed as well (Probably not, those hospitals are pissed enough at the authority as is and wouldn't listen to it).

The Hospital claims it is for health reasons; to cut down on the paces bacteria can grow on. (A reasonable measure IMO). At the same time they removed the bibles, they removed the phone books and other extra material (the hospital directory I think was mentionned). If the patiant requests a Bible, a fresh new one will be ready for the patiant at any time they want it.

And yes, the clergy and the Mayor of the city and a bunch of other people are up at arms about it, though they don't seem to be fighting it TOO much. Moncton and Saint John hospital authorities (the ones that run the other 2 big hospitals in the province) have said they have no plans to do so.

I did hear a few people saying "Well if bibles are such dangerous sources of bacteria, then why not desks and lamps and those things? You aren't removing those, so leave the Bibles in there too.". *rolls eyes* IMO, unlike Bibles those things are needed in a room, and can be cleaned fairly easily anyways. Most books probably sit there unused most of the time, and are difficult to clean anyways.

I do hope that it does spread eventually, or at the very least the Chalmers Hospital doesn't bow to the pressure, but it doesn't mean much to me either way.

TragicMonkey · 23rd April 2005, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jas
I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO).

This is wrong of me. I'd like to go up to one of the agitated clergy and ask them to bless a Bible. "Please bless this Bible. It meant so much to Gramma. She kept it with her always, and it greatly comforted her in her last days." And as the clergyman handles it, add "It was the nicest Bible in the entire Ebola virus ward. Every single one of the patients read aloud from it, no matter how much they were coughing."

AWPrime · 24th April 2005, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them!

Two words: Toilet paper.

TragicMonkey · 24th April 2005, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AWPrime
Two words: Toilet paper.

That would be uncomfortable, both for God and my posterior.

And I just know someone's working on a pun involving the word "holy". Please don't.

19th April 2005, 06:38 AM	#1
Kilted Student Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Stirling Posts: 28	Gideons bilbes removed Hi there just wondering what you all think of this BBC news Its of special significance to me as i live in one of the halls of residence at Stirling Uni, and although it says all rooms have bibles, they must've missed our corridor out

19th April 2005, 06:53 AM	#2
Lisa Simpson THE Lisa Simpson Administrator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 123 Fake Street Posts: 20,066	I'm assuming Stirling is a secular university, in which case, I agree, the Bibles should be removed. People who want to read the Bible can get their own copies. Did you check everywhere for the Bible? Perhaps it's someplace you haven't bothered to clean.
	__________________ That's what the Internet does -- you get a free bonus prize of Stupid Lies with every box of Delicious Facts. - cracked.com Facts are satanic litter on the heavenly highway to blind faith! - Betty Bowers

19th April 2005, 07:26 AM	#3
Gulliamo Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 488	I've always wondered why hotels have bibles in them. Especially given the number of Patel-hotels (hotels owned by Hindus). Who pays for these bibles? The hotel (and therefore the consumer)? Or are they donated by some organization.
	__________________ Understand, you have a right to a belief and a theory, but when they are contradicted by observation, you probably should reconsider them. -Doctor X "I'll pray for you." -Kirk Cameron (Evangelist) "I'll think for you." -Brian Sapient (Rational Responders)

19th April 2005, 08:15 AM	#4
DarkMagician Graduate Poster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 1,539	Obligatory Linkage
	__________________ Sometimes going by "Nyke" \| "Pascal's Wager: Believe in Unicorns, or one might kick you in the nads!" \| "There is no hope for humanity. Reason is dead and we dance on the corpse. Tra la la la la!" --c4ts \| Intelligent Design & Expelled Exposed \| I'm on dial-up. If you want to reply to me, summarize please.

19th April 2005, 08:23 AM	#6
Marquis de Carabas Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vuori Posts: 27,106	Quote: Originally posted by Gulliamo I've always wondered why hotels have bibles in them. Especially given the number of Patel-hotels (hotels owned by Hindus). Who pays for these bibles? The hotel (and therefore the consumer)? Or are they donated by some organization. Most of the hotel Bibles come from the Gideons International, free of charge. It's their Gawd-given duty, they say. It may well be that similar groups have sprung up to do essentially the same--copycat crimes, if you like. Quote: from the link This is a primary function of The Gideons, placing and distributing Bibles and New Testaments in the human traffic lanes and streams of national life.
	__________________ Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind.

19th April 2005, 08:21 AM	#5
Kilted Student Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Stirling Posts: 28	Quote: Did you check everywhere for the Bible? Perhaps it's someplace you haven't bothered to clean. Yup i definately dont have one- seems my hall is full of unconvertable heathens. I do know there are bibles in the other halls however. Also they weren't speeking of an outright ban - just the removal of the bibles from rooms (and putting them somewhere such as the communal areas, and encouraging other faiths to put their books there aswell).

19th April 2005, 09:30 AM	#7
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,114	As a child, I always liked looking at the Gideon Bibles while in hotels. They usually had one particular passage, I forget which, translated into lots of different languages. I liked seeing all the foreign script. I decided that Tamil is the prettiest, but looks really hard to read.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

19th April 2005, 09:31 AM	#8
Marquis de Carabas Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vuori Posts: 27,106	Quote: Originally posted by TragicMonkey As a child, I always liked looking at the Gideon Bibles while in hotels. They usually had one particular passage, I forget which, translated into lots of different languages. I liked seeing all the foreign script. I decided that Tamil is the prettiest, but looks really hard to read. I believe the passage in question is John 3:16.
	__________________ Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind.

19th April 2005, 09:41 AM	#9
uruk Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: In the land of the Shatner stealing Mexico touchers Posts: 5,313	What culture uses tamil? Over here at a secular college, the gideons always come once a year to distribute bibles on campus, even though its officially against college policy to solicit.

20th April 2005, 12:46 PM	#10
Desertphile Banned Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: None of your damn business Posts: 203	I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover.

20th April 2005, 01:35 PM	#11
Gestahl Muse Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 689	Quote: Originally posted by uruk What culture uses tamil? Over here at a secular college, the gideons always come once a year to distribute bibles on campus, even though its officially against college policy to solicit. Southern India and Sri Lanka. And indeed it is a pretty written language: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_alphabet
	__________________ "By space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like an atom; by thought I comprehend the world." - Pascal

20th April 2005, 02:00 PM	#12
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,092	Quote: Originally posted by Desertphile I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover. Would that warning be "To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental." By any chance?
brodski Tea-Time toad Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 15,092

20th April 2005, 02:21 PM	#13
Blue Monk Graduate Poster Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,772	Quote: Originally posted by Desertphile I like finding Bibles in motel rooms. That is why I always carry a fat felt-tipped marker to write the proper warning on the inside cover. Really? I like highlighting the dirty parts. Some of that begatting goes on for pages.
	__________________ Veni, Vidi, Velcro I came, I saw, I stuck around

20th April 2005, 06:54 PM	#14
Desertphile Banned Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: None of your damn business Posts: 203	Quote: Originally posted by brodski Would that warning be "To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental." By any chance? More along the lines of http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/15/17369/0919 though I usually put something like "WARNING! Reading this book has been known to cause mental illness and drive people into violent homicidal behavior....." etc.

20th April 2005, 07:18 PM	#15
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,114	Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them!
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

20th April 2005, 11:39 PM	#16
thatguywhojuggles Resident Juggler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,338	Quote: Originally posted by TragicMonkey Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them! It was several years ago, but I clearly recall ripping pages from a pornographic magazine I had purchased, and slipping pages of it into the motel room's bible. In hind sight, I must say that was a bit disrespectful, however, I feel no regret having done so.
	__________________ \/\/ALTER Juggler-Artist-Atheist My Portfolio/ResumÃ© "Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful." -- Seneca the Younger (4? B.C. - 65 A.D.) "A lie goes half way around the world before the truth has a chance to get his pants on." - Winston Churchill.

21st April 2005, 08:10 AM	#17
uruk Philosopher Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: In the land of the Shatner stealing Mexico touchers Posts: 5,313	Quote: Southern India and Sri Lanka. Thanks. For a minute there I was begining to think that tamales had a written language.

21st April 2005, 08:31 AM	#18
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,114	Quote: Originally posted by thatguywhojuggles It was several years ago, but I clearly recall ripping pages from a pornographic magazine I had purchased, and slipping pages of it into the motel room's bible. In hind sight, I must say that was a bit disrespectful, however, I feel no regret having done so. That was horribly disrepectful, and you should be ashamed! Those models work hard, excuse the pun, and bring happiness to millions of readers. They do a difficult job with an enthusiastic smile, logistics permitting, and deserve respect.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

21st April 2005, 11:34 AM	#19
Neutiquam Erro mennil-toss flykune Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 287	Quote: Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas Most of the hotel Bibles come from the Gideons International, free of charge. It's their Gawd-given duty, they say. It may well be that similar groups have sprung up to do essentially the same--copycat crimes, if you like. The Gideons, International, indeed. Headquarted right across the street from my office. Most days it's just embarassing, but sometimes I try to imagine it's kind of cool sharing the neighborhood with an outfit mentioned in a Beatles song.
	__________________ I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, help me, Superman! - H. Simpson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For centuries, theologians have been explaining the unknowable in terms of the not-worth-knowing. - H. L. Mencken ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I'm gonna find me a woman who won't fall apart on the witness stand. - Tommy Womack, "Up Memphis Blues"

21st April 2005, 11:44 AM	#20
Marquis de Carabas Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: vuori Posts: 27,106	Quote: Originally posted by Neutiquam Erro The Gideons, International, indeed. Headquarted right across the street from my office. Most days it's just embarassing, but sometimes I try to imagine it's kind of cool sharing the neighborhood with an outfit mentioned in a Beatles song. You think that's embarassing? My dad's the financial officer for the local Gideons' chapter.
	__________________ Jesus ... wasn't he the bloke who turned fish into wine and made the lepers multiply? -KateHL Violence is more acceptable than incest. I have been told to keep this in mind.

22nd April 2005, 12:35 AM	#21
Kopji Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Mogollon Rim Posts: 7,697	In case the immoral heathen child-head-nailing atheists hear about all that money being left in bibles, it is an urban legend. http://www.snopes.com/luck/gideon.asp

22nd April 2005, 11:52 AM	#22
Jas Queen Skankarella of Ho Nation Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 3,845	I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO).
	__________________ "Ah, there's nothing more exciting than science! You get all the fun of sitting still, being quiet, writing down numbers, paying attention... Science has it all!" Lest We Forget

23rd April 2005, 07:20 PM	#23
Taeolas Guest Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8	Quote: Originally posted by Jas I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO). Actually, it's only the hospital in Fredericton, New Brunswick (City I'm in at the moment), though since it's run by the River Regional Authority, the hospitals in Woodstock and Perth Andover may have them removed as well (Probably not, those hospitals are pissed enough at the authority as is and wouldn't listen to it). The Hospital claims it is for health reasons; to cut down on the paces bacteria can grow on. (A reasonable measure IMO). At the same time they removed the bibles, they removed the phone books and other extra material (the hospital directory I think was mentionned). If the patiant requests a Bible, a fresh new one will be ready for the patiant at any time they want it. And yes, the clergy and the Mayor of the city and a bunch of other people are up at arms about it, though they don't seem to be fighting it TOO much. Moncton and Saint John hospital authorities (the ones that run the other 2 big hospitals in the province) have said they have no plans to do so. I did hear a few people saying "Well if bibles are such dangerous sources of bacteria, then why not desks and lamps and those things? You aren't removing those, so leave the Bibles in there too.". rolls eyes IMO, unlike Bibles those things are needed in a room, and can be cleaned fairly easily anyways. Most books probably sit there unused most of the time, and are difficult to clean anyways. I do hope that it does spread eventually, or at the very least the Chalmers Hospital doesn't bow to the pressure, but it doesn't mean much to me either way.
Taeolas Guest Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 8

23rd April 2005, 07:57 PM	#24
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,114	Quote: Originally posted by Jas I've just heard on the radio how some hospitals in the eastern provinces have removed the Bibles from the bedside tables, as you can't sterilize a book. Of ciyrse, the clergy is all up in arms about this, saying it's political correctness (even if it is, they still shouldn't have them in there, IMHO). This is wrong of me. I'd like to go up to one of the agitated clergy and ask them to bless a Bible. "Please bless this Bible. It meant so much to Gramma. She kept it with her always, and it greatly comforted her in her last days." And as the clergyman handles it, add "It was the nicest Bible in the entire Ebola virus ward. Every single one of the patients read aloud from it, no matter how much they were coughing."
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.

24th April 2005, 07:36 AM	#25
AWPrime Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,929	Quote: Originally posted by TragicMonkey Wait, those bibles in the hotel rooms are for reading? I've been blowing my nose on them! Two words: Toilet paper.
AWPrime Master Poster Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,929	__________________ Sir Arthur C. Clarke - "Any sufficiently advanced technology, to the uninformed observer, is indistinguishable from magic." c4ts - "Jesus loves the little children, Nice and fat and honey roasted..." Lancastic = Demonstrative of outstanding personal effort in the exposing of frauds. Rob Lister - "The enemy of my enemy probably tastes yummy. "

24th April 2005, 08:05 AM	#26
TragicMonkey Poisoned Waffles Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Monkey Posts: 30,114	Quote: Originally posted by AWPrime Two words: Toilet paper. That would be uncomfortable, both for God and my posterior. And I just know someone's working on a pun involving the word "holy". Please don't.
	__________________ One cannot expect wisdom to flow from a pumpkin.