Christians Under Attack

out free Bibles.

Royal Melbourne spokesman Rod Jackson-Smith said the Bible was not banned, but said: "We don't (have Bibles in each room) any more."

"Because we have so many people from different religious backgrounds it is considered inappropriate. It is also an infection control measure."

Hospitals that have removed Bibles include the Royal Melbourne, Royal Children's, Austin, The Alfred, Monash Medical Centre, Box Hill, Maroondah, Dandenong and Casey.

The Gideons International Australia, which gives free Bibles to hospitals, schools and motels, has blamed it on political correctness.

Gideons' executive director, Trevor Monson, told the Sunday Herald Sun: "The reason most often given is that 'we are a multicultural organisation and we don't want to offend anyone'."

Mr Monson said Gideons had received letters from people who sought comfort in the Bible while ill in hospital.

A Catholic church spokesman said the argument that Bibles could offend non-Christians was "silly".

"To say that other faiths might be offended if a Bible is there is nonsense," Archdiocese of Melbourne auxiliary bishop Christopher Prowse said