Not Funny–Bibles Are Being Phased Out

by Larry Acheson

06/03/2024

 

 

W

hile searching for an item in our 1998 file folder, I came across an old comic from "The Wizard of Id," which I had cut out of the comics section of a newspaper. It depicts a king who is deeply troubled by increased crime and lack of morality in his kingdom. He shares his frustration with the court jester, adding that the kingdom needs a code of ethics. The jester quickly conjures up the idea of fetching "the complete book of ethics," without actually telling his majesty the name of the book. When the king asks him where he got the book, the jester replies, "At the Royal Motel, there's one in every room."

  Without disclosing the actual name of the book, the jester's explanation that it was obtained from a motel, and that there's one in every room, immediately unraveled the mystery of its name to the average reader: the Bible. At the time of the comic's appearance in 1998, it was an amusing take on the best solution to immorality. Sometimes it helps to have a little laughter before pausing to ponder a deeper meaning and the intended message conveyed by the author/artist. The Bible presents an unprecedented and unequaled code of ethics that would end the morality crisis plaguing our nation and our world. Its precepts were initially shared with a nation as its reward for having descended from its most faithful patriarch—Abraham. If they would have relentlessly and vigorously followed Abraham's righteous example of obedience (Gen 26:5), the mind cannot begin to imagine what kind of nation Israel would be today. Suffice it to say it would be glorious, righteous and the envy of all other nations.

     Here's the comic:

     A lot has changed since 1998. The above comic appeared during the notorious Clinton/Lewinsky scandal, and readers of the day clearly understood what the Royal Secretary meant by his reference to "Trickle-Down Immorality." It was a parody on the Clinton presidency's contrast to President Reagan's "Trickle-Down Economics," aka "Reaganomics." Years later, in a CBS News interview with Dan Rather, Clinton came clean about his immoral affair with Monica Lewinsky, stating, "I think I did something for the worst possible reason–just because I could. I think that's the most, just about the most morally indefensible reason that anybody could have for doing anything." A lot of people, myself included, were deeply troubled by the poor example our most powerful leader set for his constituents, and we rightly feared that many influential nonconformists, especially the media, would follow that example. But at least we could count on finding a Bible in every hotel room.

     I think it was around ten years ago when, during one of our hotel stays, June and I noticed that there wasn't a Bible in the room. We figured a previous guest must have taken it and the hotel hadn't replaced it yet. But the next hotel we stayed at was likewise missing a Bible from our room. Over the years since that time, we've noticed that finding a Bible in a hotel room is more the exception than the norm. This new trend disappoints me because I would occasionally use the preface of one of those Gideon-supplied Bibles to demonstrate to others that "God" isn't the Creator's name. That Bible's preface includes a few pages showing various translations of John 3:16, which includes the rendering of "God" in other languages. I remember it being rendered "Bog" in Polish, "Jumala" in Finnish and "Mungu" in Swahili. When you research these names, it soon becomes evident that all are derived from the names of pagan idols; when those pagans were converted to Christianity, they were told they could keep the names of their idols, but with this new book they were given to use--the Bible--, the other rules have changed. And with that backdrop, I would ask, "Why not just go with the name the Creator gave to Himself? Can you think of a better name?" But I digress.

     The Gideon Bible is now available online, but as I just mentioned, it is becoming rare to find one in a hotel room, and that's what makes the 1998 comic so ironic. Many people born in this millennium would likely read that comic and not get the joke, much less understand what "book of ethics" is found in every hotel room, since no Bibles are found there.

     Out of curiosity, I thought I would see if there's a reason Gideon-supplied Bibles are no longer found in (many) hotel rooms. As June and I had observed, it turns out those Bibles haven't completely disappeared, but many hotels have caved to the whims of atheists who are offended by having a Bible in their hotel rooms. Personally, I would remind them that our nation was founded on belief in the Creator as presented in the Bible, so if they don't like that, then maybe they should consider relocating to a nation founded on atheism.

     According to Religion Unplugged's November 2021 online article "Why Bibles Are Disappearing From Hotel Nightstands," by Clemente Lisi,

The phasing out of Bibles in hotel rooms is actually part of a steady trend across the country over the past few years. In 2016, Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain, typically supplied both a Bible and Book of Mormon in its rooms. But the company decided forgoing religious materials was the way to go at two of its hipper hotel brands such as Moxy and Edition, both aimed at younger guests.

     It appears the primary catalyst of the trend to phase out Bibles may be traced to atheist groups, such as the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Here's what author Lisi writes:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, back in 2015, sent a letter to major hotel chains across the U.S. requesting that Bibles be removed from rooms. On its website, the group, which advocates for atheists and agnostics, said, “Many of your guests are freethinkers — atheists, agnostics, skeptics or ‘nones’ — who are deeply offended to be charged high fees only to be proselytized in the privacy of their own bedrooms. Not only that, the Bible calls for killing nonbelievers, apostates, gays, ‘stubborn sons’ and women who transgress biblical double standards.

     My closest friends know the story of how my introduction to June was precipitated by conversion from basic atheism (an agnostic at best) to faith in the Creator of the Bible. It was a bizarre conversion, brought about by a persuasive lecture from a Christian professor at a very secular university. While still enrolled in his class, I was introduced to June, who was then a student living in an off-campus "Campus Students for Christ" house. Since my conversion, I have examined other Bibles, such as the Book of Mormon and the Koran. I'm not out to bash those books, and I'm not out to ridicule or otherwise condemn anyone's beliefs, but I will say that the Bible comprised of the Old and New Testaments is the only one that has confirmed archaeological support, as well as ancient manuscripts testifying to its authenticity. I believe it is the Almighty's Instruction Manual to those who want to have a relationship with Him and His Son, so I am glad it is that Book on which our nation's founders used as the model and foundation for how to live. I say this even though I certainly disagree with our founding fathers' belief that the Torah was "done away." That's another topic for another day. Actually, I've already addressed it, both in writing and during a Unity Conference I attended back in 2006.

     So yeah, the "Wizard of Id" comic is ironic in that its writer/artist most likely had no idea that within two generations, many will not get the punch line and understand that the "Book of Ethics" being referred to is this book commonly known as the Bible. I now wonder how many generations it will take for precious few to even know what a Bible is. I pray the Messiah returns before that day arrives.

     I am ready for the true King to return and implement His everlasting Code of Ethics! What a day of rejoicing that will be!