As we come back from spring break, some of us may have stayed in hotels. You may or may not have noticed the presence of a Gideon Bible in your room.

The fact that the book is in virtually every hotel room is an often ignored or accustomed occurrence. They are as much a part of the hotel experience as are any other standard features, which include a television, a bedspread that probably wasn’t washed in between stays, and a remote control that the news says you should never touch without sanitizing it first.

But why is this the only book of religious content available?

I understand that these Bibles exist in hotel rooms because the Gideons International organization donated these books free of charge. That is an incredibly noble and charitable act.

But I cannot help but wonder if a book from another religion was widely offered through donation, would hotels then provide that book, too? Would we be as accepting or indifferent if there was a copy of the Quran or literature from The Church of Euthanasia?

I have nothing against the existence and availability of the Bible in hotels. I just think it’s a little biased.

I’ll admit that half the time I don’t even register the fact it’s there. But there are some times when I open the nightstand drawer, see the Bible and roll my eyes.

It’s a strange reaction to have to such an inconspicuous thing, but sometimes it angers me. I feel like I’m a target for passive-aggressive judgment, marketing and recruitment all at the same time.

It’s weird, even to me, but it’s there, just like that Bible. I feel defensive then. Is this an attempt to show the dominance of Christianity, to slyly imply their superiority, not just because they donated this bible, but because it’s the only one?

I feel like I’m being insulted because I do not subscribe to this particular religion. It’s an imposition on all those non-Christians that, to me, reeks of narrow-minded exclusivity. It also feels narcissistic on the Gideons’ part. It is a dominance gesture.

I’m not saying that the mere presence of this Bible has the power to ruin my vacation, but as a person who is, at best, a lapsed Catholic, why do I constantly have to be made aware of my disinterest, dissent and departure every single time I want to escape daily life for a brief moment?

The books don’t necessarily need to be removed. It would be better if there were more inclusive options, but I get why they are there.

Personally, I just don’t see the need. Mind you, this is the opinion of a religious malcontent, and a good portion of those reading this probably disagree with me, or wonder why this is even an issue.

But think about this: if every hotel room you stayed in had a book espousing The Church of the Fonz, would you take it seriously? Would you question its placement in your room? Would you even care?