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Travelodge removes the Bible from every room: chain 'doesn't want to discriminate'
Guardian UK ^ | August 15, 2014 | By RICHARD MARSDEN

Posted on 08/16/2014 6:51:18 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

One of Britain’s biggest hotel chains has removed Bibles from its rooms to avoid upsetting non-Christians.

The decision by Travelodge has been condemned as ‘tragic and bizarre’ by the Church of England, which says Bibles in hotel rooms are important to provide hope, comfort and inspiration to travellers.

But the chain, which runs 500 hotels, said the country was becoming increasingly multicultural and it had taken the action for ‘diversity reasons’.

It said the policy was implemented ‘in order not to discriminate against any religion’ – despite having had no complaints from guests.

Bibles were taken away at the same time as a refurbishment of its rooms, removing drawers where they were kept.

The Bibles, which were provided free by the Gideon Society, have been retained and are stored behind reception for guests to borrow on request, the company says.

A Church of England spokesman said: ‘It seems both tragic and bizarre that hotels would remove the word of God for the sake of ergonomic design, economic incentive or a spurious definition of the word “diversity”.’

It seems not all Travelodges even have Bibles available on request. At the branch in Battersea, south London, there was no Bible in the room or behind reception.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bible; boycott; culturewar; homosexualagenda; travelodge
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To: FlingWingFlyer

Expect the Quran to take its place. They meant they don’t want to upset Muslims and atheists but they don’t mind upsetting Christians.../s


21 posted on 08/16/2014 7:25:38 AM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

What seems stupid to me is making an announcement about it. Few would of noticed if they just took them out quietly.

Almost like they’re making a point or something...


22 posted on 08/16/2014 7:25:47 AM PDT by Jay Thomas (If not for my faith in Christ, I would despair.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

From US & Canada: 1-800-525-4055 http://www.travelodge.com

Go for it. The navy put bibles back on bases.


23 posted on 08/16/2014 7:40:30 AM PDT by Datom (Still runnin' "Against the Wind."d)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I am willing to bet the “real” reason was the cost of replacing them.


24 posted on 08/16/2014 7:41:34 AM PDT by Vermont Lt (If you want to keep your dignity, you can keep it. Period........ Just kidding, you can't keep it.)
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To: RIghtwardHo

In Hawaii, there were both the Gideon Bible and a little book with the sayings of Buddha. And in the Marriott were the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

I am neither Buddhist nor Mormon, but I was not offended in the least.

It never had ANYTHING to do with “discrimination”.


25 posted on 08/16/2014 7:42:12 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

This is disingenuous. If there had been any complaint, they could have just kept Bibles at their front desk, for anyone who wanted one.

So, put this in the column of “anti-Christian bigotry.”


26 posted on 08/16/2014 7:43:13 AM PDT by yefragetuwrabrumuy ("Don't compare me to the almighty, compare me to the alternative." -Obama, 09-24-11)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I cannot believe anyone would stay at a Travelodge.

The places are so nasty most of the roaches have even checked out.

I travel all the time. No way would I consider staying at one of these dumps.


27 posted on 08/16/2014 7:55:00 AM PDT by boycott
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To: sakic
One reason is that being far away from home, the hotel can be a lonely place. Some happen to open the drawer, see the Bible and begin to read. Some of these people find God for the first time, some increase their understanding of Scripture. Some lives are changed for the better to be sure.

It also serves as a deterrent to the alternative remedies for lonliness, namely, prostitution, drinking, porn, etc., which tends to have a corrosive effect on people's lives.

28 posted on 08/16/2014 8:32:24 AM PDT by Paulie (Get off the grid.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“But the chain ... said the country was becoming increasingly multicultural and it had taken the action for ‘diversity reasons’.”

The word “Islam” means submission. See above for clarification of this definition.


29 posted on 08/16/2014 8:34:53 AM PDT by Junk Silver
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
Now TraveLodge, if a Pedophile rented a room and he has a boy (or boys) with him, will you rent the room to him? If not, you'd be offending his choice!

TraveLodge, may I bring my BIBLE to your chain? Or will you offend me?

30 posted on 08/16/2014 8:38:35 AM PDT by ExCTCitizen (I'm ExCTCitizen and I approve this reply. If it does offend Libs, I'm NOT sorry...)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Well what about us Christians ?


31 posted on 08/16/2014 8:45:15 AM PDT by al baby (Hi MomÂ…)
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To: sakic

Never understood why Bibles were in hotel rooms. Always figured that if you wanted to read it, you carried it with you.


“Hotel Bibles” aren’t provided by the hotels. They are “placed” there by the Gideon Society. I’ve heard a lot of Christians credit a Gideon Hotel Bible for leading them to salvation while in trouble, on the run or in hiding.


32 posted on 08/16/2014 8:48:49 AM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: RIghtwardHo

Some other chain also did that the other day. I can’t remember who.


The US Navy issued an order to remove them from the “military hotels”/transient quarters. After a backlash they rescinded the order.


33 posted on 08/16/2014 8:50:40 AM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: demshateGod

But they’ll still offer on demand porn?


“On-Demand” Porn is a constitutional right. You find it right next to the right to a free, government provided abortion.


34 posted on 08/16/2014 8:52:15 AM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

What about upsetting Christians? I guess we don’t count.


35 posted on 08/16/2014 8:52:42 AM PDT by Parmy
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To: Vermont Lt

I am willing to bet the “real” reason was the cost of replacing them.


They are provided by the Gideon Society at no charge to the hotel. Wanna try to guess that “real” reason again?


36 posted on 08/16/2014 8:53:51 AM PDT by Rides_A_Red_Horse (Why do you need a fire extinguisher when you can call the fire department?)
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To: econjack
I wonder if there are Bibles in the hotels in Iran or most other mid-East countries?

I've stayed at many hotels throughout the Middle East and I've never seen a Bible. Why would there be?

37 posted on 08/16/2014 8:58:46 AM PDT by Drew68
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To: Drew68
I've stayed at many hotels throughout the Middle East and I've never seen a Bible. Why would there be?

And, FWIW, I've never seen a Koran either.

38 posted on 08/16/2014 9:00:37 AM PDT by Drew68
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I there were a Muslim equivalent of the Gideons placing Korans in every hotel room, I doubt there would be a peep of protest.


39 posted on 08/16/2014 9:10:45 AM PDT by The Great RJ
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

We’re running out of places to stop/shop/stay!


40 posted on 08/16/2014 9:36:55 AM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & water the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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