Why is there a Bible in every hotel room?

The Bibles found in most American hotel rooms were placed there by a Christian organization known as The Gideons International. Its primary focus is to disseminate the Christian holy book throughout the world.

The Gideons International was founded in 1898 by businessmen John Nicholson and Samuel Hill when the two men discovered they shared an interest in proselytizing. Since its inception, the group has shipped nearly 2 billion Bibles. The books are found in hotel rooms, hospitals, prisons, military bases, nursing homes and domestic violence shelters. Since the organization is supported by charitable donations, each copy is provided free of charge.