The Gideons International
Gideons International, founded in 1899, is a Christian organization that distributes free Bibles to hospitals, schools, colleges, military bases, and jails and prisons.
History
Gideons International began distributing Bibles in 1898, with the first Bibles being placed in a hotel room in 1908. The organization’s connection to Gideon’s story is through his willingness to do what God wants him to do, regardless of his own judgment of the plans or results. The Gideons International symbol is a two-handled pitcher and torch, recalling Gideon’s victory over the Midianites.
Membership
Members of The Gideons are free to join if they are active members of an evangelical or Protestant church and believe in the organization’s core spiritual beliefs.
Colors of Testaments distributed
Green: for college/university students; Red: for in-school distribution to Middle/High school students; Dark blue: printed in a language other than English; Woodland Camouflage editions for the military are also available.
Distribution of Bibles on public school grounds
The Alliance Defending Freedom claims that “constitutionally permissible ways in which Gideons Bibles may be distributed” are “constitutionally permissible ways in which Gideons Bibles may be distributed” since the US Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Establishment Clause in the Constitution.
See also
Portal for Evangelical Christianity.
External links
This article was originally published on August 7, 2012 and is republished with permission. It was Archived from the original on August 18, 2012.
Why do Gideons give out Bibles?
The Gideon Bible isn’t some special version or translation of the Bible that hotels really like (the books are usually plain old King James Versions); it’s named after the organization that distributes it.
Is the Gideons Bible different?
The main difference between the Gideon’s Bible and the KJV is that the KJV is an English translation of the Christian Bible, whereas the Gideon’s Bible is a Bible distributed by Gideons International, which distributes the KJV free of charge in hotels and motels.
Do Gideons still place Bibles in hotels?
Gideon International members frequently met with hotel managers, presenting them with a free copy of the Bible and offering to equip every room in the hotel with a copy as well; they continue to do so todayu2014and not just to hotels.
Which Bible do Catholics use?
Catholics use the New American Bible, not the Roman Catholic Bible.
How do the Gideons make money?
The Gideons operate solely on donations, with no advertising or extensive Internet outreach u2014 there is no Gideon blimp u2014 and they succeed precisely because they ignore a golden rule of sound business practices.
What Bible version do Gideons use?
The Gideon’s Bible Association distributes the King James Bible for free in hotels and motels. The Gideon’s Bible Association was founded in Janesville, Wisconsin, in 1899, and was authorized by the Church of England. It began translating the Christian Bible in 1604 and finished in 1611.
Which Bible is more accurate?
New American Standard Bible (NASB) The New American Standard Bible (NASB) was first published in 1963, and the most recent edition was published in 1995. It is widely regarded as the “most accurate” Bible translation in English.
Can a woman be a Gideon?
Gideons International was founded in 1899 in the United States, and in 2011, Gideons Canada decided to allow women and people of all professions to join, as opposed to Gideons International, which only allows businessmen to join.
Is it illegal to not have a Bible in a hotel room?
u201cIt’s illegal, and this is the group that’s putting Bibles in hotel rooms,u201d Seidel said of the Gideons’ mission. u201cIt’s not about helping people, it’s about converting people,u201d Seidel said of the Gideons’ mission.
Why have the Gideons changed their name?
The charity that donates Bibles to hotel rooms and schoolchildren will have to change their name and logo on the covers after the International branch became enraged by their acceptance of women as members. The UK branch also changed its logo online to an open Bible in July.
Is Gideon a judge?
Gideon, also spelled Gedeon, Jerubbaal, or Jerobaal, was an Israelite judge and hero-liberator whose exploits are recounted in the Book of Judges.
Why is there no room 420 in hotels?
The reason for this is that 420-related items have become stoner trophies. Road signs, for example, have had to be replaced with 419.99 in Colorado, and hotel rooms have become another target, forcing some hotels to phase out the room number entirely.
Is it OK to take Bible from hotel?
Taking the Bible from the hotel isn’t in keeping with the spirit in which The Gideons provided it, but if you’ve ever taken a bible from a hotel, don’t get too worked up about it; the Gideons aren’t calling it “stealing,” so you shouldn’t either.
Why do hotels use white towels?
Hotels use all white linens to show luxury, much like the wealthy used to wear all white to show that they could afford to keep it clean. When hotel staff do the laundry, they can throw bed linens, towels, and any other dirty fabrics into the same washing machine without worrying about colors running.