In a viral TikTok video, an atheist gave the "real reason" why she always kept a Bible in prison.
TikToker Keri Blakinger, who describes herself as a "felon" and a reporter, explained:
“I’m an atheist, but when I was in jail and prison, I always had a Bible with me. I know that sounds weird, but here’s why.”
“We all knew that when you got transferred from jail to prison, the only thing that you could bring was a religious book," she continued.
She held up a copy of the actual Bible she had on her person during her time as an inmate and said, "the only religious book that we had around that jail was Bibles.”
The reason why she carried around the collection of religious texts and scriptures had nothing to do with faith or her personal beliefs.
She said kept a Bible around in order to write down addresses.
"You couldn’t bring any addresses with you from jail to prison, and sometimes not from one jail to the other,” Blakinger explained.
“So we all knew to write the addresses that were important to us in the margins.”
She flipped through the pages and showed records of her jotting down various work addresses.
"Because if you couldn't memorize every single phone number and address you needed, this was the only way to take it with you."
Users commented on the unorthodox practice involving the Bible.
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
She hasn't been the only person to adopt this tactic.
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
Those who have faith added to the conversation.
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
Others suggested the book served other purposes.
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
@keribla/TikTok
When someone pointed out that inmates were allowed to bring their legal papers and court documents, Blakinger clarified:
"You're right. I meant only possessions. I should have mentioned legal paperwork tho. But that doesn't change the point. Bc you still can't write addresses on them or they'll take it."
"So you still had to write addresses in religious texts."
