Marriott (and other chains) removing Bibles and Books of Mormon from new hotel chains

[Daniel2]

I suppose it was bound to happen that Marriott would move away from it's founder's LDS religious faith and more in a secular direction, eventually...

More hotels are checking out of the Bible business

 

The Moxy Berlin Hotel opened in October. Marriott International has recently decided that no religious materials should be offered at Moxy and Edition hotels, two of its newest millennial-oriented hotel brands. (Matthias Nareyek / Getty Images)

Hugo MartinContact Reporter

 

When the ultra-hip Moxy Hotel opens in San Diego next year, the rooms will be stocked with the usual amenities — an alarm clock, hair dryer, writing desk and flat-screen TV.

But you won’t find a Bible in the bedside nightstand.

Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel company, supplies a Bible and the Book of Mormon in the rooms of every other hotel in the franchise. But the company has recently decided that no religious materials should be offered at two of its newest millennial-oriented hotel brands, Moxy and Edition hotels.

“It’s because the religious books don’t fit the personality of the brands,” said Marriott spokeswoman Felicia Farrar McLemore, explaining that the Moxy and Edition hotels are geared toward fun-loving millennials.

Marriott’s decision mirrors others in the industry who are quietly phasing out the long-held tradition of stocking religious material in hotel rooms.

It is difficult to gauge how many of the country’s 53,000 hotels still put Bibles in the rooms because most major hotel franchise companies let individual hotel owners and managers decide whether to make the Scriptures a standard amenity.

But a recent survey by STR, a hospitality analytics company, found that the percentage of hotels that offer religious materials in rooms has dropped significantly over the last decade, from 95% of hotels in 2006 to 48% this year.

Among the reasons for the change, according to industry experts, is a need to appeal to younger American travelers who are less devout than their parents or grandparents and to avoid offending international travelers such as Muslims or Buddhists.

And then there is this practical issue: Many newer hotel brands install shelves rather than nightstands with drawers next to the bed, making it difficult to be discreet about offering a Bible. A copy of the Scriptures on a bedside shelf makes a more pronounced statement than a Bible slipped into a drawer.

 

“In an era of not offending anyone, I think hotels have a conundrum,” said Carl Winston, director of San Diego State University’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management program.

Hotels also have been under pressure lately from atheist groups.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a nonprofit group that promotes separation of church and state, wrote to 15 major hotel companies last year, asking them to keep Bibles out of hotel rooms.

The group succeeded in the last year in getting hotels operated by Arizona State University and Northern Illinois University to remove all Bibles from their rooms. 

The foundation also created a sticker that reads: "Warning: Literal belief in this book may endanger your health and life." The group has encouraged its supporters to affix the stickers on any hotel room Bible they find.

“We are trying to educate the hotel industry that a quarter of our population is not religious,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the group.

STR officials cautioned about reading too much into its survey, noting that managers representing only 2,600 of the more than 8,000 hotels responding to the survey answered the question about religious material in rooms. Still, industry experts say the changing demographics in America and the surge of international travelers in the U.S. are creating more reasons to keep religious materials out of hotel rooms.

“A lot of international hotels are trying to reach a very diverse group of travelers, and religion now has become a really sensitive topic,” said Linchi Kwok, an assistant professor at the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona.

Bibles started to become a hotel standard in the late 1800s when three traveling businessmen founded Gideons International with a plan to spread the Gospels by placing the Bible in hotel rooms across the country.

The nonprofit group now has about 270,000 members in 200 countries. In its latest fiscal year, Gideon International spent about $100 million to distribute Bibles to hotels, prisons, hospitals and other locations, about the same amount as in 2015, according to the group’s financial statements.

Jeff Pack, Gideons International’s director of communications, said he isn’t sure why the STR survey shows a decline in religious material in hotel rooms, considering that the distribution of Bibles by his group hasn’t dropped.

“The decline of religious materials in hotels, as cited in the survey, is reflective of increasing secularism and independence in the world,” he said. “This has resulted in an erosion of spiritual awareness.”

Two years ago, Travelodge hotels in Britain removed Bibles from their rooms “in order not to discriminate against any religion,” the company said. Still, the hotels kept copies at the front desk where guests could borrow them upon request.

The parent company of Travelodge, the Wyndham Hotel Group, said the company does not require Bibles in any of its 15 hotel brands worldwide. 

At Marriott International, which was founded by a devout Mormon, a decision was made this year to keep Bibles and a Book of Mormon out of four new brands, AC, Moxy, Protea and Edition hotels, spokeswoman McLemore said. But company executives reconsidered, she said, and instead moved to keep religious materials out of only the Moxy and Edition hotels because the AC and Protea hotels are geared toward more traditional travelers.

Marriott has opened nine Moxy hotels, with at least 40 more hotels under construction or in the planning phase. Four Edition hotels are open and nine others are set to open in the future.

Intercontinental Hotel Group, the giant British company that operates the Holiday Inn brand, among others, doesn’t require managers of its more than 5,000 hotels in nearly 100 countries to put Bibles in each room.

“Our hotels have the flexibility to offer religious materials to their guests if they choose to do so,” spokeswoman Caroline Huston said.

James McKnight, pastor at the Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship in Los Angeles, said he isn’t offended when he finds his hotel room doesn’t include a Bible. He said that travelers who regularly read the Bible probably already have one with them, either in book or digital form.

“I don’t expect the owner of a hotel to have the responsibility to give me the sacred text,” McKnight said.

[Buckeye]

There goes my long-standing habit of dog-earing 3 Nephi 11 whenever I stay in Marriott's for work (about 15+ times a year). It's an understandable move, though. Sometimes the BOM I find have been mutilated or have trash written on the first page. I wonder if the practice is a net benefit or harm to the church.

[Marmonboy]

So 1/4 of their customers will dictate what the other 3/4 get? Makes sense to me.

In the course of my work I stay in lots of motels, some big chains, some small local. I have noticed fewer and fewer of them have a Bible, and almost all of them, even in Utah, lack a Book of Mormon.

[bluebell]

I think it's sad that some people believe that if you a fun-loving millennial you won't also want to read scriptures.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Daniel2 said:

I suppose it was bound to happen that Marriott would move away from it's founder's LDS religious faith and more in a secular direction, eventually...

 

 

I cannot, nor will I ever understand the harm others see in having any positive materials such as this in a Hotel room. It is a sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift, while promoting other things that can only led "...one down with flaxen cords, until they are bound down with the chains of Hell". 

[thesometimesaint]

8 minutes ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

I cannot, nor will I ever understand the harm others see in having any positive materials such as this in a Hotel room. It is a sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift, while promoting other things that can only led "...one down with flaxen cords, until they are bound down with the chains of Hell". 

The faithful don't need it, and the faithless don't want it.

[Tacenda]

27 minutes ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

I cannot, nor will I ever understand the harm others see in having any positive materials such as this in a Hotel room. It is a sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift, while promoting other things that can only led "...one down with flaxen cords, until they are bound down with the chains of Hell". 

I agree wholeheartedly, imagine how counteractive it would be for watching the available porn that is available in the Marriott hotels. And even those that might have checked themselves into the hotel to commit suicide. Without a Bible or BoM they don't have as much of a chance to change their mind. There isn't harm to have them in there, but I do understand that non Christians might be offended. Maybe there could be other faith's scriptures available also?

ETA: But I guess that means the Atheist will be left out of the equation. This is a tough one, it's probably going to come down to not offending anyone is the way to go, of course I don't know how that will fly by God.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Tacenda

[Daniel2]

1 hour ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

I cannot, nor will I ever understand the harm others see in having any positive materials such as this in a Hotel room. It is a sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift, while promoting other things that can only led "...one down with flaxen cords, until they are bound down with the chains of Hell". 

I'm not one that's offended by Books of Mormon or The Bible in hotel rooms, and when we travel, we almost exclusively stay at Marriott Hotels, both because we enjoy the quality of their amenities and services, and we benefit from their for the reward points programs.  My husband and I (both RMs) even appreciated the Books of Mormon in the hotel rooms when we stayed at the Marriott in Times Square, since we decided to dress up like missionaries when we attended "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway and we each took a copy in hand to that evening's performance. 

That being said, I can understand why businesses would choose to take a more secular approach and avoid mixing religion with business.

Additionally, while I think your sentiments above seem nice and well-intentioned, Papa, I wonder whether your lamentation over the "sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift" is universal, or limited only to those things which you find inspiriting or uplifting.  As others have said, other Faiths' scriptures are excluded, not to mention literature related to other so-called "lifestyles" that others may find uplifting, inspiring, or even life-saving.

In an age when hotels provide Wi-Fi which allows individuals to connect to online libraries of unlimited resources related to things which guests can access and be inspired by, guests familiar with scripture are able to freely access them, so nothing is lost for those that are looking.  And I can understand that Marriott, as a company, isn't likely to be interested in proselyting or promoting any given religion, and probably wishes to avoid branding itself as such.

[Guest]

4 hours ago, thesometimesaint said:

The faithful don't need it, and the faithless don't want it.

Somehow I doubt that anyone complains that there is a Bible or BoM in the drawer next to the bed. I used to travel a lot when speaking around the State. It was nice to have them there when I would forget my own. 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Daniel2 said:

I'm not one that's offended by Books of Mormon or The Bible in hotel rooms, and when we travel, we almost exclusively stay at Marriott Hotels, both because we enjoy the quality of their amenities and services, and we benefit from their for the reward points programs.  My husband and I (both RMs) even appreciated the Books of Mormon in the hotel rooms when we stayed at the Marriott in Times Square, since we decided to dress up like missionaries when we attended "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway and we each took a copy in hand to that evening's performance. 

That being said, I can understand why businesses would choose to take a more secular approach and avoid mixing religion with business.

Additionally, while I think your sentiments above seem nice and well-intentioned, Papa, I wonder whether your lamentation over the "sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift" is universal, or limited only to those things which you find inspiriting or uplifting.  As others have said, other Faiths' scriptures are excluded, not to mention literature related to other so-called "lifestyles" that others may find uplifting, inspiring, or even life-saving.

In an age when hotels provide Wi-Fi which allows individuals to connect to online libraries of unlimited resources related to things which guests can access and be inspired by, guests familiar with scripture are able to freely access them, so nothing is lost for those that are looking.  And I can understand that Marriott, as a company, isn't likely to be interested in proselyting or promoting any given religion, and probably wishes to avoid branding itself as such.

Is there a cost in having these books? The Bible's are provided by the Gideon's, and BoM's can be obtained for free as well. 

[Jeanne]

7 minutes ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

Is there a cost in having these books? The Bible's are provided by the Gideon's, and BoM's can be obtained for free as well. 

And I imagine that one could get all the JW pamphlets for free too! 

[Calm]

There is likely a cost in storage and having them restocked even if they don't pay for the books.

I think it would be a great idea for hotels/motels to keep copies of religious materials at their front desk or perhaps a shelf by the ice machine and given the diversity to include at a minimum the Koran in English and Arabic (for English speaking areas) and Buddhist materials as well as anything local that is popular along with the Bible and Book of Mormon.  Perhaps there is some organization willing to provide free copies if the hotel were to call for the service.

Add-on:. And having as well some nonreligious specific uplifting works ifthe idea is to have stuff around to give people a spiritual or emotional boost.

Edited December 8, 2016 by Calm

[The Nehor]

Thank you for the public service announcement about Moxy hotels. I went to their web page and they sound horrible. I will make it a point never to stay in one.

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jeanne said:

And I imagine that one could get all the JW pamphlets for free too! 

No, they are usually for sale. Either way, anything that will help anyone find answers to life's most compelling questions. 

[california boy]

9 hours ago, Marmonboy said:

So 1/4 of their customers will dictate what the other 3/4 get? Makes sense to me.

In the course of my work I stay in lots of motels, some big chains, some small local. I have noticed fewer and fewer of them have a Bible, and almost all of them, even in Utah, lack a Book of Mormon.

 

7 hours ago, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

I cannot, nor will I ever understand the harm others see in having any positive materials such as this in a Hotel room. It is a sad reality that so many find offense in that which can uplift, while promoting other things that can only led "...one down with flaxen cords, until they are bound down with the chains of Hell". 

I think both of these quotes reflect the mentality that many Christian have concerning their religion.  While some see only the good that has come from Christianity, others see only the evil that has come from Christianity.  There is a reason why No Religion is the fastest growing religion.  Some seem to have the expectation that EVERYONE should fall in line with how Christian see the world.  Some people rebel against that concept.  

This attitude of expectation by Christians carries through during this holiday season.  The so called war on religion that gets brought up every year about this time where everyone is expected to say Merry Christmas rather than happy holidays.  Christmas was not invented by the Christians.  Nor was Christ born anywhere near this time of year.  At one time the pagans were probably running around screaming an attack on their religion and their gods by these usurpers of their holiday. 

I personally have no issues with either book being in a hotel room.  But for anyone to expect a hotel chain to provide religious material does not match my expectations of what a hotel should provide. I would much rather a hotel provide wifi than religious material.  I can bring my own religious material, I can not bring my own wifi service.  

[Marmonboy]

Actually, you can bring your own wifi, but that's another topic...

I wasn't implying that hotels have to, or should, provide religious materials. I was just making an observation.

[california boy]

6 minutes ago, Marmonboy said:

Actually, you can bring your own wifi, but that's another topic...

I wasn't implying that hotels have to, or should, provide religious materials. I was just making an observation.

Thanks for clarifying your post.  I must have misread the intent of your first line.

Edited December 8, 2016 by california boy

[rodheadlee]

No biggie for me. When we travel we stay at Motel 6. Or unplug the boat and sail away. We used to stay at some nice hotels but we travel with 2 cats now. The Marriott in Riverside wanted more money for a pet deposit than the room cost. 300 bucks a night is way out of my league.

[thesometimesaint]

On 12/7/2016 at 4:17 PM, Bill "Papa" Lee said:

Somehow I doubt that anyone complains that there is a Bible or BoM in the drawer next to the bed. I used to travel a lot when speaking around the State. It was nice to have them there when I would forget my own. 

Not the same thing. Would a Buddhist/Muslim/Sikh be impressed with either? Probably not enough to complain, but why would any business go out of its way to offend potential customers?

[Tacenda]

My son works for Marriott in Idaho, I'll have to ask about the Bible/BoM's in the rooms.

[The Nehor]

On 12/7/2016 at 9:49 PM, california boy said:

 

I think both of these quotes reflect the mentality that many Christian have concerning their religion.  While some see only the good that has come from Christianity, others see only the evil that has come from Christianity.  There is a reason why No Religion is the fastest growing religion.  Some seem to have the expectation that EVERYONE should fall in line with how Christian see the world.  Some people rebel against that concept.

Of course they should not accept the Christian view. They should accept the LDS view. All the rest are apostates.

On 12/7/2016 at 9:49 PM, california boy said:

This attitude of expectation by Christians carries through during this holiday season.  The so called war on religion that gets brought up every year about this time where everyone is expected to say Merry Christmas rather than happy holidays.  Christmas was not invented by the Christians.  Nor was Christ born anywhere near this time of year.  At one time the pagans were probably running around screaming an attack on their religion and their gods by these usurpers of their holiday. 

Christians should be grateful that the new atheists are not burning them for their heresy. They are using the Christian method of co opting some of our established holidays for their own purposes.

 

I think LDS should importune the prophet to get a revelation on when the real birth date of Jesus was and then get that made into a national holiday. I don't think anyone would object. You either celebrate the birth of the Savior or get an extra day off.

[Jeanne]

2 hours ago, The Nehor said:

Of course they should not accept the Christian view. They should accept the LDS view. All the rest are apostates.

Christians should be grateful that the new atheists are not burning them for their heresy. They are using the Christian method of co opting some of our established holidays for their own purposes.

 

I think LDS should importune the prophet to get a revelation on when the real birth date of Jesus was and then get that made into a national holiday. I don't think anyone would object. You either celebrate the birth of the Savior or get an extra day off.

You're a hoot Nehor!!

[Jeanne]

On 12/7/2016 at 8:49 PM, california boy said:

 

I think both of these quotes reflect the mentality that many Christian have concerning their religion.  While some see only the good that has come from Christianity, others see only the evil that has come from Christianity.  There is a reason why No Religion is the fastest growing religion.  Some seem to have the expectation that EVERYONE should fall in line with how Christian see the world.  Some people rebel against that concept.  

This attitude of expectation by Christians carries through during this holiday season.  The so called war on religion that gets brought up every year about this time where everyone is expected to say Merry Christmas rather than happy holidays.  Christmas was not invented by the Christians.  Nor was Christ born anywhere near this time of year.  At one time the pagans were probably running around screaming an attack on their religion and their gods by these usurpers of their holiday. 

I personally have no issues with either book being in a hotel room.  But for anyone to expect a hotel chain to provide religious material does not match my expectations of what a hotel should provide. I would much rather a hotel provide wifi than religious material.  I can bring my own religious material, I can not bring my own wifi service.  

I would be a happy camper if they would just go back to giving us newspapers at the door every morning. 

[strappinglad]

The era of having books in a motel room is fast fading. Anyone who wants to can carry the scriptures on their phone/tablet. If they don't ,wifi and the internet are the answer. Now if they would just get rid of all the restaurant/belly dancing pamphlets littering the room.