(photo from google)At the beginning of the week, a group of suited-up men began to hand out pocket sized green Bibles with a familiar symbol on the cover. The Gideons International is a worldwide Bible distributor, and has resently made CSULB their mission to spread the gospel through their Bibles.
The Gideons International is a nondenomination, non-profit organization made up of pastors, theologians and sponsors across the world. The organization has distributed over 1.5 billion Bibles since they began in 1908.
George A Darby Jr., member of The Gideons International and representative from Palmdale camp says the organzation has travelled to over 180 countries to distribute Bibles. Besides hotels and hospitals, they target schools, secondary and college campuses, as well as local prisons.
The students reaction to this act of community service was both enlighting and offensive.
Pre-medical student Elizabeth Tecuanhuehue thought it was a nice gesture that the members "would take their time and effort to care for students who would otherwise avoid them." Tecuanhuehue is not a religious person but says she will most likely read her new Bible when there is spare time.
On the other spectrum, students such as Alma Perez do not think it is necessary to "bug people with contraversal things."
Although what these men are doing may disturb students, it is the freedom of speech that allows them to continue.
Sources
http://www.gideons.org/Splash.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cTWBlaZR40&feature=related
interview with George A. Darby Jr.
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