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152:. The Gideons' primary activity, along with their wives in the Auxiliary, is "encouraging each other to do the work of the Lord, focusing on who they are before God, and strengthening the power of their personal testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ". They are most recognized for distributing copies of scripture free of charge, paid for by freewill offerings from local churches and from members themselves. This Bible distribution is a worldwide enterprise taking place in around 200 countries, territories and possessions. The association's members focus on distributing complete
1136:
religious community groups, like the
Gideons, to distribute literature at tables in the school hallways or by the entrances and exits on an equal basis with their secular counterparts fully complies with the Establishment Clause," the letter read. "Indeed, banning only religious community groups from distributing literature at public schools is clearly forbidden by the Free Speech and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment." The Gideons International again distributed Bibles at a public elementary school in Kentucky earlier this year.
508:, as of 2013, maintains that there are "constitutionally permissible ways in which Gideons Bibles may be distributed," and attorneys Rory Gray and Jeremy Tedesco write that the Alliance Defending Freedom sent letters to 174 school districts in Kentucky stating: "Federal caselaw overwhelmingly supports the decision to grant religious and non-religious community groups an equal opportunity to provide literature to willing students." In early 2014, the "Gideons International again distributed Bibles at a public elementary school in Kentucky."
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246:"Gideon was a man who was willing to do exactly what God wanted him to do, regardless of his own judgment as to the plans or results. Humility, faith, and obedience were his great elements of character. This is the standard that The Gideons International is trying to establish in all its members, each man to be ready to do God's will at any time, at any place, and in any way that the Holy Spirit leads."
231:, where they decided the goal of their association would be to unite traveling salesmen for evangelism. In July 1899, Nicholson, Hill, and Will J. Knights met at the YMCA in Janesville. Two of them continued with the distribution of the Bibles. Gideons began distributing free Bibles, the work they are most known for, in 1908, when the first Bibles were placed in the rooms of the Superior Hotel in
522:
196:
26:
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In response, the
Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom sent its own letter to the school districts, disagreeing with the ACLU's claims that the Bible distribution was unconstitutional. "We write to correct several misrepresentations made in the ACLU's letter and to inform you that allowing
946:
Distribution to the United States Army and Navy of a million copies of a vest-pocket size New
Testament and Psalms, in a service edition, is planned for this year by Gideon's International. The book, which is published by the National Bible Press, Philadelphia, includes the Lord's prayer, a selection
908:
The deep blue cover means it was printed in a language other than
English; brown testaments are given to someone personally; orange testaments are given to a stranger on the sidewalk; testaments with camouflage or dark green covers are intended for the military; and the auxiliary gives out light blue
269:
Membership in The
Gideons International generally consists of current or retired business or professional men (except clergy) aged 21 or older who are members in good standing of an evangelical or Protestant church, and adhere to the core spiritual beliefs of the organization. Wives of Gideons may
500:
in St. Louis upheld a lower court ruling that found the South Iron district's distribution of Bibles to the schoolchildren in their classrooms was unconstitutional. An "attorney representing the South Iron School
District in Annapolis, Mo., said the decision allows a new policy to finally be
180:. Members of The Gideons International currently average distribution of over 70 million Bibles annually. On average, more than two copies of the Bible are distributed per second through Gideons International. As of April 2015, Gideons International has distributed over 2.5 billion Bibles.
442:
During World War II there were military-issued New
Testaments, brown for Army and blue for Navy, distributed by the Gideons. In addition to desert camouflage and digital camouflage, there are also woodland camouflage editions for the military.
334:
the Bible text itself, without notes, references, or any other reference matter other than chapter and verse headings; this can either be the full Bible (typical of the copies placed in hotel rooms), or just the New
Testament,
164:
rooms. The
Gideons also distribute to hospitals and other medical offices, schools (usually in first year) and colleges, military bases, as well as jails and prisons. The association was named after the Biblical figure
1122:
947:
of national anthems and hymns, and sixteen pages of special help. It is bound with "Fabrikoid" pyroxylin-coated fabric in brown for army use, in blue for the navy, and in white for
Hawaiian forces.
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The Gideons International continues to contact youth in America through The Life Book, coordinating with churches and their youth to distribute copies of the Bible in high schools. The
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a short description of the evangelical understanding of salvation, with biblical quotations, and a place for the reader to sign and date their confession of
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brought suit against the South Iron R-1 School District in Missouri for allowing the Gideons to distribute Bibles during class time. In 2009, the
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implemented, one that allows any group to hand out literature at the rural district, including information on how children can obtain Bibles."
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160:, or portions thereof. These copies are printed in over 108 languages. The association is most widely known for its Bibles placed in
1090:
627:, prompting Lister to observe that "he follows me everywhere that guy. I was staying in a hotel once, he left his bible there too!"
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696:
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In addition to their well-known hotel room Bibles, members of The Gideons International also distribute Bibles to members of the
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In keeping with this symbolism, the symbol of the Gideons is a two-handled pitcher and torch recalling Gideon's victory over the
451:
The distribution of Bibles on public school grounds has been an issue because of the U.S. Supreme Court's interpretation of the
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785:
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980:"Favoritism Cannot Be Tolerated": Challenging Protestantism in America's Public Schools and Promoting the Neutral State"
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as their savior (this is especially common in the shorter editions featuring the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs).
176:
In 1908, the Gideons began distributing free Bibles. The first Bibles were placed in rooms of the Superior Hotel in
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The covers of the New Testaments distributed by Gideons are color-coded based on which groups they are meant for:
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references grabbing a Gideons Bible from a hotel desk in their 2012 song "Bible On The Dash" on their album
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crewmates Lister and Rimmer find a Gideons Bible in their prison welcome pack in the season 8 episode
359:
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The Popular Encyclopedia of Church History: The People, Places, and Events That Shaped Christianity
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New Testament with an orange cover handed out to the general public by the Gideons International
211:
The organization began in the fall of 1898, when two traveling salesmen, John H. Nicholson of
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1003:"Missouri Public School Must Stop Distribution of Bibles To Fifth-Graders, AU Tells Court".
452:
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As of 2022, The Gideons reported having 269,500 members in 200 countries and territories.
8:
1115:"ACLU Says School District's Bible Distribution Steps Onto 'Shaky Constitutional Ground'"
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a pamphlet suggesting Bible verses that may be of assistance in various sorts of trouble;
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1024:"State News: Injunction upheld in Iron County Bibles case; both sides claim victory"
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227:, and discussed the formation of an association. In May 1899, the two met again in
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references the Gideons in their 2004 song "Profits of Doom" on their album
438:: personal worker's testaments (for individual witnessing by the Auxiliary)
287:
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432:: personal worker's testaments (for individual witnessing by Gideons)
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131:
Evangelical Christian organization known for distributing free Bibles
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has a song called "Gideon's Bible" in his 1970 debut solo album
1091:"No High School Student Left Behind - 'The Life Book' Movement"
336:
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135:
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Red: for in-school distribution to middle/high school students
1100:, Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
1055:
McKee, Duncan O. (1954). "The Public Schools and the Bible".
587:
mentioned a Gideons Bible open at page 1 in their 1971 song "
347:
153:
134:"Gideon Bible" redirects here. For the biblical figure, see
343:(typical of the copies handed out as gifts to individuals);
270:
similarly join the Auxiliary of The Gideons International.
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The organization describes its connection to the story of
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Evangelical organizations established in the 19th century
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any relevant information into other sections or articles.
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269,500 Gideons and auxiliary members (wives of Gideons)
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Christian organizations established in the 19th century
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Americans United for Separation of Church and State
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1236:Christian organizations based in the United States
423:Light blue: for distribution by the Auxiliary only
758:Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States
1182:
183:The headquarters of Gideons International is in
832:, gideons.org, USA, retrieved January 29, 2022.
563:mentioned the Gideon Bible in their 1968 song "
447:Distribution of Bibles on public school grounds
363:A Gideon member placing a Bible in a motel room
871:, gideons.org, USA, retrieved January 29, 2022
894:. Chambersburg Public Opinion. Archived from
762:, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2016, p. 962
960:Everson v. Board of Education Ewing Township
413:Dark blue: printed in a language other than
1216:Non-profit organizations based in Tennessee
1211:Christian organizations established in 1899
892:"Gideons celebrate a century of evangelism"
771:Cornerstone of Religious Freedom in America
1032:. seMissourian.com. The Associated Press.
1021:
993:, vol. 59, no. 3, (Sep 2007), pp. 565-591.
24:
978:, 374 U.S. 203 (1963). Kevin M. Schultz,
721:. Harvest House Publishers, 2013, p. 156.
314:from The Gideons International contains:
305:
219:, met in a hotel room they shared at the
78:P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800
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331:into a variety of languages and scripts;
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1152:The Gideons International official site
755:George Thomas Kurian, Mark A. Lamport,
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729:
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717:Edward E. Hindson, Daniel R. Mitchell.
148:association for men founded in 1899 in
1221:International non-profit organizations
1183:
962:, 330 U.S. 1 (1947); Illinois ex rel.
511:
401:Green: for college/university students
398:Orange: given in sidewalk distribution
1112:
1103:
1054:
936:from the original on October 21, 2023
889:
874:
426:Brown: for jail and prison facilities
1036:from the original on August 29, 2009
788:from the original on October 4, 2020
724:
515:
408:Digital camouflage/desert camouflage
976:Abington School District v. Schempp
609:Corb Lund and the Hurtin' Albertans
13:
1158:"Profile of Gideons International"
699:from the original on July 13, 2016
14:
1247:
1145:
1125:from the original on May 18, 2014
1113:Weber, Katherine (May 14, 2014).
532:list of miscellaneous information
498:8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
111:Dan Heighway (Executive Director)
1231:1899 establishments in Wisconsin
652:
638:
520:
420:White: for medical professionals
417:, some also went to county jails
355:Colors of Testaments distributed
1083:
1048:
1015:
1012:Retrieved on September 5, 2008.
996:
952:
914:
854:
660:Evangelical Christianity portal
1226:Evangelical Christian missions
964:McCollum v. Board of Education
890:Hersh, Iris (March 19, 2009).
835:
822:
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1:
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91:200 countries and territories
1022:Jim Salter (July 17, 2009).
7:
974:, 370 U.S. 421 (1962); and
932:. Churchman Company. 1941.
922:"The Gideons International"
735:The Gideons International.
631:
273:
10:
1252:
1096:February 14, 2013, at the
1008:September 5, 2008, at the
848:February 12, 2013, at the
843:Frequently Asked Questions
782:"Christianity in the News"
506:Alliance Defending Freedom
459:cases discuss this issue:
455:in the Constitution. Five
190:
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282:of various countries, to
199:The interior of Room 19,
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32:
23:
19:The Gideons International
529:This article contains a
371:Gideon's Bible beside a
215:, and Samuel E. Hill of
860:Gideons International,
841:Gideons International.
828:Gideons International,
784:. Workersforjesus.com.
742:August 5, 2017, at the
668:Pocket Testament League
1164:. 2012. Archived from
985:June 10, 2015, at the
391:
383:
364:
306:Testaments distributed
248:
208:
36:July 1, 1899
970:343 U.S. 306 (1952);
966:330 U.S. 203 (1948);
867:May 14, 2022, at the
812:Gideons International
389:
370:
362:
244:
229:Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
213:Janesville, Wisconsin
198:
150:Janesville, Wisconsin
146:Evangelical Christian
142:Gideons International
1206:History of Wisconsin
1029:Southeast Missourian
818:on December 6, 1998.
453:Establishment Clause
185:Nashville, Tennessee
958:The five cases are
646:Christianity portal
512:Cultural references
310:A typical Bible or
225:Boscobel, Wisconsin
221:Central House Hotel
205:Boscobel, Wisconsin
201:Central House Hotel
20:
1168:on August 18, 2012
1119:The Christian Post
991:American Quarterly
693:"Worldwide Impact"
410:: for the military
392:
384:
365:
209:
55:William J. Knights
18:
1162:MinistryWatch.com
968:Zorach v. Clauson
589:Locomotive Breath
556:
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381:Las Vegas, Nevada
377:JW Marriott Hotel
233:Superior, Montana
217:Beloit, Wisconsin
178:Superior, Montana
129:
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53:John H. Nicholson
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254:as described in
173:(chapters 6–8).
169:depicted in the
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1170:. Retrieved
1166:the original
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1134:
1127:. Retrieved
1089:Beth Patch,
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1040:November 10,
1038:. Retrieved
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938:. Retrieved
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900:. Retrieved
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816:the original
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792:November 10,
790:. Retrieved
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87:Area served
15:
940:November 2,
909:testaments.
614:Cabin Fever
585:Jethro Tull
547:August 2023
1185:Categories
760:, Volume 5
679:References
436:Periwinkle
262:Membership
252:Midianites
107:Key people
67:36-2270051
62:Tax ID no.
40:1899-07-01
1172:August 7,
808:"History"
621:Red Dwarf
607:The band
594:The band
583:The band
572:John Cale
492:In 2008,
379:found in
329:John 3:16
284:hospitals
97:Members
1129:June 22,
1123:Archived
1094:Archived
1034:Archived
1006:Archived
983:Archived
934:Archived
902:June 22,
865:Archived
862:ABOUT US
846:Archived
830:ABOUT US
786:Archived
740:Archived
737:About Us
703:April 1,
697:Archived
632:See also
539:relocate
468:McCollum
430:Burgundy
341:Proverbs
300:students
280:military
274:Programs
256:Judges 7
72:Location
1077:1370845
561:Beatles
537:Please
486:Schempp
462:Everson
415:English
292:prisons
191:History
162:lodging
121:gideons
116:Website
48:Founder
38: (
33:Founded
1075:
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