Solved! The mystery of the disappearing Bibles at Arizona’s State Capitol

PUZZLED over the disappearance of Bibles from the members-only lounge at the House of Representatives—one was discovered secreted in a fridge—officials set up a video camera in a bid to find the culprit.

It was only then that the miscreant was unmasked. It turned out to be Arizona State Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton, above, a Democrat and an ordained Presbyterian minister!

Surveillance footage in March showed Stahl Hamilton removing two Bibles in minutes. One was buried in the members-only lounge chair, and another in the community refrigerator.

A week later a third went missing.

Arizona’s Family demanded answers for the lawmaker’ behaviour and Stahl Hamilton obliged with a brief statement this week, saying:

Just a little playful commentary on the separation of church and state. I am a Presbyterian minister so I obviously don’t have a problem with the Bible.

Image via YouTube

Republican Pro-Tempore Speaker Travis Grantham, above, described her behaviour in a video posted to YouTube as “sinister” and “nonsensical”.

When I’m watching that [footage], I’m thinking, ‘Well, this is obviously someone who’s got some purpose and some intent, and they know they’re doing something bad.

He pointed out that the state motto “is God enriches.”

I don’t quite understand the issue of having a Bible available for members to read.

Bibles in hotels

When I was living in the UK, one of the best jobs I ever had was being public relations officer for the long-defunct British Transport Hotel chain.

This often involved staying in the properties we owned, stretching from the far south of the country to the north of Scotland, and I would hide Gideon Bibles in cupboards or top of wardrobes.

I also fielded many calls from guests who were angered by the discovery of Bibles on their bedside tables, and finally succeeded in getting the management to remove the things from all their rooms.

However, they insisted that copies be kept at reception, and given to guests who requested them.

But the majority of hotel groups still still place Gideon Bibles in their rooms. International chain Best Western is one, saying:

If you’re ever in need of help, encouragement, or peace during your hotel stay, check out the Bible in the nightstand drawer. You may just find what you’re looking for within those pages.

Likewise, if you travel often and would like to become a part of The Gideons International ministry, contact them about membership. You could become one of the angels leaving hope and peace everywhere you go.

You can also support my work via a one-off donation via PayPal, Buy Me a Coffee or GofundMe.

If you spot any typos in this report, please alert me via email: freethinkered@aol

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9 responses to “Solved! The mystery of the disappearing Bibles at Arizona’s State Capitol”

  1. “so I obviously don’t have a problem with the Bible.” Except that she likes to steal them and hide them in places like a refrigerator. I would call that a problem.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Many years ago, my pastor hubby was invited to become a Gideon – rather like Freemasonry and Rotary, it was considered an honour, proof you were someone important. He declined, cos we didn’t approve of the 2nd class status it gave to the wives of Gideons. I understand Gideons UK pulled out of the international Gideons and had to re-name themselves cos UK equality legislation required them to give full membership to women. I was pleased when UK hospitals took away bedside bibles – in a bid to reduce high levels of MRSA infections. I don’t think they can flood school leavers with their little red book much these days either. I personally remove religious books from a community cafe/craft shop project I help manage. Post-Covid we put in a swap bookshelf and a few earnest fundies bring along books by Piper, Driscoll etc – and by some hideous fundy marriage-advisor……..Maybe I just need to get a life, but I get a kick out of removing them and rehoming them in my paper recycling bin!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You are doing worthwhile work in putting the recycled books to good use.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Matilda, like the koran, it is excellent for lighting bonfires.

      Like

  3. David Michael Porter Avatar
    David Michael Porter

    We should all have access to the Bible: it’s such a great source of arguments against religion!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I only read it for the sadism and pornography. Some of it is quite good.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Vanity, was it delivered in a plain brown envelope and then hidden from children?

        Liked by 1 person

    2. David, I agree, it is anti-theism’s greatest asset.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Agree, I’m a keen gardener so have in fact shredded some of the fundy materials that I confiscated and put them in the compost bin. Too much printers’ ink isn’t recommended, but I like to think my rhubarb, strawberries and blueberries tasted extra good the two years the well-rotted compost contained religious literature!

        Liked by 1 person

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