I was asked if Gideon Bibles are Still in Motels and Hospitals? Yes — Gideon Bibles are still placed in some motels and hospitals, but far less than in the past. Gideon Bibles have been a familiar presence in hotel rooms for more than a century, and though the tradition has been declining in recent years, the bedside Bible remains a part of American travel.
Gideons International is the evangelical Christian organization behind the tradition. They continue to distribute free Bibles in hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, and other public locations worldwide. The practice began in 1908 with the first hotel Bible placement in Montana.
However, the number of Bibles placed has declined in many U.S. cities. This is partly due to fewer Americans identifying as Christian, and more travelers coming from non-Christian faiths or having no religious affiliation. Hospitals are still a major Gideon placement site. Bibles are strategically placed in patient rooms and waiting areas, often in partnership with local churches or Gideons International.
