Do YOU know anything about the Gideons?

They are a non-denominational group of Christian Business men and women who print and distribute Bibles to various places, such as Hotels, schools, Hospitals, Military personnel etc.

The actual version of the Bible remains the same but the added readings and information varies depending on the intended luxuriance. Thus there would be different references in the Military version than there would be for the ones for school children.

You've already been informed they are of the Protestant persuasion and freely distribute copies of the Holy Bible in hotels, hospitals, within the armed forces and anywhere else they can. Although a Protestant organisation, I am unaware they are prejudiced against Catholics in any way, shape or form.

The difference between the Bible version that goes into the armed forces and other versions that are distributed elsewhere is merely cosmetic - the contents (from Genesis through to Revelation) are identical.

Why should you be shocked that the Gideons put copies of the Bible into the armed forces? Do you think people who serve in the military don't deserve to hear the word of God? Do you think soldiers, sailors and airmen and women are so beyond redemption they should be ignored by Christians? Don't they deserve to hear the good news? Would Jehovah's Witnesses try to get their literature into the hands of servicemen and servicewomen, or would they automatically be discriminated against? Just a thought.

Edit: The military version contains a section with scriptures and thoughts specifically for people who are in life-threatening situations - things to bring comfort and point them to Christ Jesus.

Second Edit: I think the Roman Catholic Church has it's own charities and organisations for distribution of literature. The sections in the Gideon Bibles that offer comfort, hope and spiritual guidance are not there to either support or condemn the actions of individuals or organisation - they merely point people to scriptures that are relevant to different situations.

Might I just point out that only a very small percentage of people in the armed forces take human life in warfare? There are hundreds and thousands of men and women in support roles, some who save lives (surgeons, doctors and nurses). A great deal of personnel are tasked with administrative duties or things like cooking and cleaning, engineering, mechanical, communication and technical support . Also, if you look at the sixth commandment (in Exodus 20:13) it says "You shall not murder."

The Gideon organization is not religious in the sense of having a church, they just distribute the Bible in hotels, or as they call it "Putting the word out" . You can be a atheist and donate money for the Bibles that go into hotels. You can take the Bible with you if you want, you can contact them and find out about becoming a Christian also, but like I said they do not have a church.

The Gideons International is an association that works with Protestant/evangelical churches.Members come from many denominations, live all over the world, and share a desire to see the lost come to Christ!

Please check http://www.gideons.org/FAQ/FAQ.aspx

All I know is that they give bibles for free in Hospitals, army camps, hotels and many other public places.

A friend of mine still has the Bible that saved his life by being in his pocket when the bullet tore through his vest. Who cares what it said?

The armed forces Bible only has 9 commandments. They left "Thou shalt not kill" out.

they put bibles in hotel rooms

I had one of their Bibles, tiny little thing, I let my dog chew on it.

Don't trust them they are head shrinking gypsies