Taking Gideon Bibles

inquiring_mind · August 8, 2003, 12:54am

Is it okay to take the Bibles that are placed in hotel rooms by the Gideons? I was told that this was the purpose of these Bibles–to help spread the Gospel. I still have one of these Bibles that I took many years ago and I was wondering if what I did was ‘wrong.’

MC_Master_of_Ceremonies · August 8, 2003, 12:56am

The Gideons give those bibles out like candy, I’d imagine that they’d be pleased that you took it.

Duckster · August 8, 2003, 1:33am

How can I obtain Bibles/New Testaments from The Gideons International?

Members of The Gideons International place and distribute scriptures in 179 countries in 80 languages. We focus on five primary areas:

Hotels and Motels
Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Domestic Violence Shelters
Schools, Colleges, and Universities
The Military, Law Enforcement Personnel, Firefighters, and EMTs
Prisons and Jails

The demand for Scriptures in these areas far exceeds our supplies that we are able to
purchase through our donations. Much more could be done- if funds were available. However, we are placing and distributing more than 1 million copies of the Word of God, at no cost, every 7 days in these areas. If you know of a need in any of these areas, please let us know the name of the institution, name of a contact person, and the address and phone number of that institution, and we will contact local Gideons so that they may arrange a distribution. If, however, your request is outside those areas, you may simply wish to contact The American Bible Society for possible assistance.

Source: http://www.gideons.org/

Mudshark · August 8, 2003, 9:52am

I’d always understood that the Gideons wanted you to take the Bibles, but the hotels did not.

Violet · August 8, 2003, 10:06am

I like the Buddhist books in some Hawaiian hotels.

The_Great_Unwashed · August 8, 2003, 10:39am

[Bill Hicks]
Who are the Gideons?
Ever met one? No!
Ever seen one? No!
…

…
I’m gonna capture a Gideon
“Front desk? Yeah, I don’t seem to have a bible in my room…”
[/Bill Hicks]

elmwood · August 8, 2003, 11:37am

A somewhat related aside: why does the Gideons distribute only KJV Bibles? Wht not something that’s a bit easier for 21st century minds to read, like the NIV?

Edward_The_Head · August 8, 2003, 12:01pm

Well this came up a few months ago, and since I knew it would come up again I started looking at the Bibles when I went on my road trips. The only one I remember seeing had a note on it to please take this Bible. I can’t remember where I was though as I do a lot of travel. So at least some say to take them.

moejuck · August 8, 2003, 12:28pm

I think Rocky Racoon was planning on swiping his…

SDHAsia · August 9, 2003, 4:53am

Elmwood: KJV, because of its age, is public domain. No royalties have to be paid, unlike NIV.

Mangetout · August 9, 2003, 12:56pm

All the Gideon bibles I’ve seen in hotels over here have been the Good News or NIV.