Political correctness run amok in the UK, from the Telegraph, with thanks to MJ.
The century-old tradition of bibles in hospital bedside lockers could be ended in one health trust today after officials decided they might offend ethnic minorities.
Senior executives at the University of Leicester NHS Trust said it was also concerned that the books helped to spread the MRSA bacteria and it would rule on whether to remove them from wards…
Leicester has one of Britain’s largest ethnic minority populations and the trust is concerned that the many non-Christian patients might be offended. A spokesman refused to say who suggested the ban, but said that she was “not aware” that any complaints about bibles had been made.
“Discussions are still in the early stages,” she said. “Regardless of the outcome, patients can be reassured that religious texts will continue to be made available at hospitals through the chaplaincy.”
Gideons International, the missionary organisation whose bibles are placed at patient bedsides, said the proposal was “sad” and “ridiculous”. Iain Mair, an executive director, said the charity commissioned a surgeon and microbiologist to carry out a study on the risk of infection as soon as it learned that a ban was being considered.
“Doctors told us that to claim an MRSA risk is nonsense – and it is ridiculous to think having bibles in lockers discriminates against other religions,” said Mr Mair.
“We have told the trust that we will put a note beside our Testament to advise patients who to contact if they wish a book of another faith.”…