They Distribute A Common Version Of The Bible
Typically, Gideons distribute the King James Version of the Bible, so it is not some special version or obscure translation of the Bible.
The only thing that is really different is that there are some special pages at the front of the Bible where you might be able to find specific Bible verses for your times of need and some short messages about salvation.
Gideon Bibles In Hospitals Nursing Homes
Both public and private medical facilities receive visits from the Gideons to distribute Bibles to patients and in the rooms. People who are ill, old, weak, and alone are easy targets for evangelists promising heaven but who never actually have to deliver anything while people are still alive to collect or complain. This is unfortunate, but Christian evangelists have a long tradition of such behavior. In Catholic hospitals, you may face not just a Bible but a crucifix hanging prominently on the wall.
If you are in such a facility, it may be difficult for you to object simply because of your condition. It is a good idea to let your family know about your feelings in advance so that they can effectively and accurately represent you when you are unable to do so yourself. This might not be as serious as an advance medical directive, but it’s worth including in the same package of information. By the same token, you should be vigilant about providing the same help to friends and family who feel like you do.
Gideons Spread The Word One Bible One Room At A Time
Ever met a Gideon? Know anything about their core beliefs? Their religious ambitions? Their impact?
In a world virtually awash with often in-your-face religious groups intent on showing the weary the way, Gideons stand out for being the only ones sung about by The Beatles in “Rocky Raccoon” who still somehow remain divinely unsung.
Most people are not aware of who we are or what we do, and I think people would be surprised to learn the global impact of the Gideons on behalf of the Lord, said Jim Seluta, a former Eastman-Kodak traveling salesman who in 1977 became a Christian and a Gideon because of a Bible hed overlooked hundreds of times.
That Gideon Bible in the drawer at the Sheraton Inn in Sturbridge, Mass., room 312, saved my life.
The Gideons are likely the most influential religious movement that is based not in a soaring house of worship but in a former tire manufacturing headquarters.
Bibles, not blimpsSince their founding by Christian traveling businessmen in 1899, Gideons have distributed more than 1.6 billion Bibles to 193 countries in more than 90 languages.
And theyre just getting started.
Well likely reach the 2 billion mark within the next few years, said Gideon International spokesman Woody Murray, from the old Bridgestone-Firestone headquarters in Nashville, Tenn., the organization has occupied since 2003 .
Each Bible costs the Gideons about $5.
So Bible theft isnt a sin?
That Gideon Bible changed my whole life.
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The Gideons International The Nightstand At Your Hotel
If youve ever stayed at a hotel you know that just about every hotel room has a Gideon Bible in the night stand drawer.
What you may not know is that those Bibles are there for you to use or even to keep if youd like. The Bibles are replaced often and are put there for you to use, so dont be shy.
The scriptures are placed there by a group called The Gideons International, and in addition to hotels youll find them in key locations like hospitals, convalescent homes, medical offices, domestic violence shelters, prisons, and jails.
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Atheists And Secularists Should Oppose Privileging Christianity And The Bible
- M.A., Princeton University
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania
The Gideons International distribute Bibles all over the world. They don’t do this to educate people about the Bible or even to provide Bibles to those who otherwise can’t afford to purchase one themselves. The purpose of the Gideons is, in their words, to “win men, women, boys, and girls to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” They exist solely to evangelize Christianity and convert people to believe in their God.
You can take a stand against the Gideons when their actions are rude or even break the law.
What About Gideons On Public College Campuses
Generally, so long as the Gideons are on sidewalks and public walkways, they may hand out bibles on public college campuses. So if this happens on your campus, check with your Dean of Students office or the the college website on policies regulating nonstudent activity on campus. If such activity violates campus regulations or permits are required, report the incident promptly to the appropriate authorities.
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Request A Bible From Myfreebibleorg
MyFreeBible.org invites readers to experience the life-changing power of God’s living Word and promises to send a New Testament Bible in English . Requests are limited to one Bible per person, and only one request. Allow up to six to eight weeks for postal delivery. At the current time, MyFreeBible ships within the United States only.
Where The Public Sidewalk Ends: Reactions To Gideons Handing Out Bibles Outside High School Graduations
Several smiling men in slacks were on hand outside the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville last weekend, passing out small orange Bibles to graduating high school students, their families and other passers-by, before the rehearsals and ceremonies of five Buncombe County high schools.
It was a scenario that has played out over the past four years of graduation ceremonies, according to Cellular Center General Manager Chris Corl.
The men with the Bibles are members of the Gideons, which describes itself as an Association of Christian business and professional men and their wives dedicated to telling people about Jesus, according to its website. The group was established in 1898 by two businessmen who began distributing Bibles in hotel rooms. Nowadays, the Gideons distribute Bibles and religious literature worldwide in hotels, hospitals and at outside events.
The Gideons presence is perfectly legal, Corl notes, who says he has never received any complaints about the Gideons in his four years on the job.
The mens activities didnt stop or slow people in their passage, according to Cecil Crawford, a retired secretary for the Gideons in Avery County.
Ive never in my life encountered any bias against handing out Scriptures, Crawford says. But now, that does happen, and if it happens, then just dont do that particular place anymore. We dont push ourselves onto people. We want people to receive the word, the Scripture, but we dont push it.
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Main Differences Between Gideons Bible And Kjv
Why Is Reading The Bible So Important
As a Christian I believe its crucial to be constantly in Gods word. Here is why its so important:
- Reading the Bible helps us to know God: The Bible tells us about God, gives us insight into Gods character and answers our questions about who he is, and how he has saved us from sin.
- The Bible helps us to know Gods will for our lives: The message of eternal salvation is vital to the scriptures, but the Bible also reveals a lot more about how God would have us live. We see recorded examples of Biblical figures and how they lived, and we see what pleases God and what doesnt.
- Reading Gods word helps us to see the big picture that God has planned for us: Knowing the scriptures and making them the final authority in your life can help you to live the good life that God has planned for you, and to guard against attacks that the evil one has coming your way.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work 2 Timothy 3:1617
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A Christian Church Near You
Probably one of the first places you can go to find a Bible is your local church. Most churches will have Bibles available that you can take with you, either a smaller pocket version, or a larger study type Bible.
To find a church near you , check out a church directory like this one. When you attend, ask if they have a Bible you can take with you.
What Is Gideons Bible
Gideons bible is also known as Gideons international. Gideons international is a biblical association whose main focus is to give free copies of the bible. Gideon has distributed the bible in 194 countries and 94 different languages. One of Gideons international features is they place the bible in hospital, motel, and hotel rooms. The association mainly uses the King JAMES Version for its distribution. Sometimes they also use the new king James bible and testaments for distribution purposes. It is also called MEV or modern English version bibles and testaments.
It is given only when the hotel or buyer specifically wanted to buy the MEV bible. This association was founded by Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1899. This organization aims to create faith in each members heart that they are willing to God work with their own judgment, obedience, and humanity. The association started work in1908 when the first bible was kept in a superior hotel room in a city called superior, Montana. The bible is also distributed in military personnel of various countries, nursing homes, prisons, etc. free of cost.
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Gideon Bibles In Hotels & Motels
You’re most likely encounter with Gideon Bibles will be in motels and hotels. Their presence certainly isn’t illegal, but it does represent an unambiguous form of preferential treatment for Christianity. It might not be so bad if religious scriptures from a variety of religions were provided on an equal basis. Things to do:
Request A Bible From United States Biblesocietycom
Typically, the United States Bible Society promises to send a Bible to anyone who wants one. A simple request will do. The society website provides a form for making requests. Fulfillment takes about 30 days. For the most part, the United States Bible Society offers complete King James Version Bibles only.
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Giving The Gospel: Local Gideons Provide Personal Witness With Free Bibles
The day after Scott Ecksteins term on the Care Net board of directors expired, he was approached by the late Jeff Hendricks about becoming a Gideon.
Eckstein said he had been wondering about what his next ministry would be until that moment with Hendricks, who was pastoring Walnut Memorial Baptist Church.
Eckstein added that each year the Gideons ask church pastors to recommend men who may qualify to be a Gideon.
In my opinion, that was kind of a sign that I probably should , and I had always been interested in the Gideons, said Eckstein, whos been a Gideon member since 2009.
Gideons, known for hotel Bibles and for handing out small, free New Testament Bibles at school campuses, outdoor events and other public spaces, was started in 1898 by two traveling salesmen John H. Nicholson of Janesville, Wisconsin, and Samuel E. Hill of Beloit, Wisconsin.
Their original idea was to form a group of evangelizing traveling salesmen. And in 1899, Gideons International was formed as an Evangelical Christian association for men.
However, it wasnt until 1908 that they began placing Bibles inside hotel rooms. Since starting the distribution of Bibles, theyve handed out more than 2 billion worldwide.
In Daviess County, there are two Gideon camps an East and a West.
Eckstein is among 35 members of the East Camp. His role is to reach out to pastors to set up speaking engagements for the Gideons.
He added that hotel Bibles conditions are checked every six years.
Taking Them Home May Be Okay
Whether you can take one of the Bibles with you is sort of a gray area. Some would say the Gideons would be happy for you to take a Bible with you and help to spread Gods word.
Others would say that by taking the Bible you are preventing other travelers from using it while on the road which cuts against the goal of the Gideons.
Hotels with Bibles should be able to readily replace them for free so it doesnt seem like that big of a deal to replace a Bible.
Ive seen accounts of Gideons saying that they would be happy for someone to take a Bible so I think it is permissible for a hotel guest to take a Bible home with them .
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Bibles For Education Military Emergency Services & Prisons
Gideons also distribute pocket Testaments to individuals in a wide but specific range of community service facilities. These include secondary schools, universities and other tertiary colleges, prisons, military bases and emergency service installations like fire, police, ambulance and volunteer emergency service stations. These distributions are made by Gideon members but, where security issues would prevent this occurring, we can work through chaplains if necessary.
If you are interested in having Gideon Testaments distributed in your facility, please complete the details below and a local Gideon will get in touch with you.
Can I Take A Gideon Bible
If they do not have a personal copy of the Bible The Gideons are pleased to be able to help. However, there are occasions when the Bibles are removed by guests for their own personal use. Local Gideon members are encouraged to be in regular contact with hotels to ensure there is a Bible in every room.
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Why Hotel Rooms Have Bibles & Why Thats Changing
If you stayed at enough hotels youve probably opened the drawer in your nightstand and discovered a Bible or some other type of religious text.
You might be wondering where this tradition started and if this is still a thing. Other questions might also pop in to your head like who paid for this Bible and why exactly is it there?
In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Bibles found in hotels and how things are starting to change.
Request A Bible From Freebiblenet
FreeBibles.net promises to send a new or gently-used Bible to anyone in the U.S. who cannot afford to purchase one. Requests are limited to one per person and one per address, but other than these simple rules, there are no catches. Most ministries will only send a New Testament, or their “free” offer comes with strings attached. Not only does FreeBibles.net send a complete Bible, but they also cover shipping and promise not to contact you with any solicitation. FreeBibles cannot guarantee a specific translation, and they only mail Bibles to people who are needy or imprisoned.
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Features Of A Gideon Bible
The Gideon Bibles you find in hotel rooms have special pages in them near the front that give a short preface, a suggestion of Bible verses that might be comforting or helpful in different types of trouble, and a short description of the evangelical understanding of salvation. There are legends and folklore about people leaving money in Bibles, possibly to reward the next person seeking Scripture for answers. Though this has never been proven to be a routine practice, more likely money found in hotel Bibles was left accidentally by a former guest trying to hide their money in a sparse hotel room.
If youre 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 youre 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. To learn more about the Gideons that visit our hotel, talk to our professionals on staff at The Best Western Siesta Key next time youre here. Well be happy to share our experience with this group.