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Gideon Bible Hand-out Protested

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Cindy, Nov 21, 2002.

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  1. Cindy

    Cindy <img src=/Cindy.JPG>

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    BIBLE SUIT THREATENED
    (Athens, Georgia-AP) -- Public schools in Limestone County,
    Alabama have stopped members of Gideons International from
    handing out Bibles to students.
    The decision came after a parent threatened to file suit.
    A superintendent said he received a complaint after the
    Christian organization held its annual Bible distribution for
    fifth-graders.
    The head of the local Gideons chapter said it would abide
    by the decision.
    The group doesn't want to compromise Bible giveaways
    elsewhere.
     
    #1 Cindy, Nov 21, 2002
  2. kman

    kman New Member

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    I still have the small NT the Gideons handed me back in 1977 when I was in 5th grade. Can still see the old fella smiling that gave it to me.

    Interesting that 1 parents complaint (threat) can rule the day. Hmmm wonder if I threatened to file a lawsuit against teaching the religion of evolution if they'd stop teaching it... [​IMG]

    -kman
     
    #2 kman, Nov 21, 2002
  3. jonmagee

    jonmagee New Member

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    Bearing in mind the sensitivities in usa which are not in Scotland, would an alternative be to inform parents in advance in order that they may withdraw their child without prejudice to those who are happy with the offer.
    yours, Jon.
     
    #3 jonmagee, Nov 21, 2002
  4. Baptist Believer

    Baptist Believer Well-Known Member
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    It all depends on how they do it... If they make the Bibles available on a table and students can get a Bible between classes or on unstructured time, there should be no Constitutional problem. (Now there may be a problem with the Bibles though [​IMG] - A Bible I received back in elementary school had thousands of typos -- it was a very errant King James.

    If the school is structuring time to get the Bibles or the members of the Gideons are given free rein to roam the halls and proselytize, then there may be some church/state separation issues.
     
    #4 Baptist Believer, Nov 21, 2002
  5. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    This I believe is the current Gideon practice. The Gideon Rep(s) set up their distribution table at the appointed place and just hand out the NT or Bible. Not seeking to carry out any kind of "active proselytizing", they see their ministry as trying to get the Word into as many hands as possible and letting the Word do His work. That is not to say that if you were to find one of them "off school duty" they would not be willing to engage in a more active and verbal wittness.
     
    #5 Squire Robertsson, Nov 21, 2002
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