Gideons sending 40,000 New Testaments to Astrodome

self ^ | 9/2/04 | Mark Felton

[Mark Felton]

The Gideons International are sending 40,000 Personal Witnessing Testaments (New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs) to be distributed at the Astrodome and other relief centers in Houston.

My camp in Clear Lake is the focal point for organizing Gideon volunteers to help with the distribution. We are doing this in cooperation with the Salvation Army.

If you are a Gideon, or a minister, and would like to help the Salvation Army and Gideons minister to the people and distribute the New Testaments please freep mail me your name and phone number and either myself, the Salvation Army or a Gideon organizer will contact you.

At this time we are working with our own personal cell phones until we get a headquarters established. You may also contact the Gideons International HQ in Nashville, TN and they can forward your information. Telephone: (615)564-5000 or Email us at tgi@gideons.org

The scriptures are on a truck due to arrive Sunday by 10 a.m. and we are planning shifts to provide patoral care 24/7.

God is at work, and we are called by Him to Serve His Will. There was a purpose for Katrina, let us not fail to fulfill our duties.

[Macklew]

They need to send Gideon's army!

[MineralMan]

I've read the thread. Seems that a lot of people are whining that the Gideons should be supplying food instead of Bibles.

That's just silly. This is not a zero sum thing. The Gideons have Bibles, not food. Odds are that an overwhelming percentage of those in these shelters are Christians, and their Bibles are under water somewhere.

I'm sure those folks will be very glad to have these New Testaments and that those books will give them some much-neede comfort.

Food there will be in abundance. Spiritual comfort will be in shorter supply.

Good for the Gideons!

[MplsSteve]

F**k you too for taking a shot at those of us who feel differently and for assuming that we're clueless as to what's going on here.

I understand completely what's at stake here.

My previous posts have indicated that there are higher priority items out there than a Gideon Bible...food, water, medical supplies, etc.

Though some people may get comfort from a Bible, there are many many more who would get more comfort from a hot meal or a fresh change of clothes.

It's all about priorities - and right now for many many people out there, a Gideon Bible is NOT a priority.

In fact, the argument can be made that by shipping in Bibles instead of water, clothing or food, these items are being substituted.

[antiRepublicrat]

This is awesome. Talk about the fields being ripe unto harvest!

Yep, the best way to convert someone is to take advantage of when they're down.

[newguy357]

No, they're not being substituted--these people are already getting necessary supplies in Houston. It's really not that difficult to understand.

Also, thank you for proving my point about your lack of intelligence by using naughty words. When someone's frontal cortex is damaged they oftentimes use foul language at increased frequency. Perhaps it is the same for those who never develop a frontal cortex.

[newguy357]

Indeed, food is an immediate need to physical survival. And if they already have it, then is it OK by you to give them bibles?

[Corin Stormhands]

He probably forgot the tag, so STFU.

I don't recall asking you. So take your own medicine.

If he was joking (and I think he was) he needed a sarcasm tag. It could have ended there.

You may have the last word if you have the emotional need.

[MplsSteve]

No, sometimes vulgarity has to be used for the rude and insulting - which, in this case, is you. By the way, my frontal cortex is fine.

If the Gideons truly wanted to be helpful, there are better ways to do it by handing out Bibles.

But that goes back to a previous post in which I said "Hey, if it makes you feel better, do it". If the Gideons think they're gonna improve anything, let 'em do it.

[DesignerChick]

"In fact, the argument can be made that by shipping in Bibles instead of water, clothing or food, these items are being substituted."

How is that? If I want to send 10,000 inflatable rafts... what is not going to get to New Orleans? Hot food or clean water?
It seems to me that the Bibles are *in addition* to everything else. Whats your arguement? Food, water and medical supplies are on there way.

No one hijacked a Poland Spring truck, dumped the water and loaded it up with "gospel books" to force conversion on the weak. (This isn't the Irish Famine where you can't have the soup unless you join the Church of England.)

Did it ever occur to you that some of the people whose houses are under water or can't find loved ones might be practicing Christians and would find a great deal of solace in reading some Christain text? Since the family bible (and everything else they ever owned)is probably under 20 feet of sludge...

It might not be a PRIORITY to YOU, but! if I were sitting down there for days in a virtual Armageddon I'd review the Word of God if someone offered me a Bible....(even a protestant one!)

[WKUHilltopper]

Is there a website? If I call the number, can they accept plastic?

[MplsSteve]

If you've read my previous posts (and I'm pretty certain you haven't!), I acknowledged that there are people out there who may great solace and peace at receiving a Bible. For those people, I am truly glad.

It's not a matter of a Bible NOT being a priority to me. Common sense dictates that it's probably not a high priority for a lot of people at the Astrodome and thru the Gulf Coast.

Food, water and medicine are getting thru to certain areas along the Gulf Coast - but not in the quantities needed. That is my point.

Let's feed and shelter some people (throughout the Gulf Coast). Those should be the first priorities for any aid group in that area - not handing out Bibles.

[SerpentDove]

>>Yep, the best way to convert someone is to take advantage of when they're down.<<

If you think offering someone a free copy of the Bible in addition to food, water and shelter is "taking advantage" of someone, you have major problems.

[SerpentDove]

>>You can't eat the Bible, send food. Small consolation that you are at peace with God while you're dying of starvation.<<

I wouldn't go into panic mode if I were you. Christians, as well as everyone else, are giving food and water in plentiful supply.

Why does everyone choose to "snipe" at Christians when they exercise their first amendment rights?

Curious.

[Tribune7]

God Bless the Gideons.

[ridesthemiles]

That being said I'm waiting for someone to chime in about separation of church and state since the Federal Govt is involved.

Most likely from the wonderful Black Caucus???

Or Where is Michael Nedow (sp???)- the guy who sued because his child was getting "Under God" in the pledge, I Think.

[SerpentDove]

"I wish you well in your endeavours - but I feel they are a little misplaced at this time."

Why do you presume it is an "either/or" situation...that somehow if the Gideons offer Bibles, somehow the people will be kept from the much-needed food and water?

It is a ridiculous assumption, IMHO.

[SolarisRocks]

Just make sure that those getting these Bibles don't hear/talk to those "Religious" people who think that God took out the Gulf Coast to punish them for their sins.

That kind of has a way of turning off people.

[DesignerChick]

I read your posts, and I can see you have anger management issues.
Or, possibly, Tourretts....
Or maybe you were raised by (very rude) wolves....
Anyway,
I'm not disagreeing with you. However, nowhere was it cited that food, water and medical supplies were not the first priority. You made that assumption and continued to rant on about it.

From the article:
"The Gideons International are sending 40,000 Personal Witnessing Testaments (New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs) to be distributed at the Astrodome and other relief centers in Houston."
And this fills you with rage because YOU ASSUME that
A. People will not get necessities
B. Something must be sacrificed to get the "Bibles" to these places.

"Common sense dictates that it's probably not a high priority for a lot of people at the Astrodome and thru the Gulf Coast"
'Common sense' (she rewrote while smiling)is not something you seem to be using to its optimal capacity.

"Food, water and medicine are getting thru to certain areas along the Gulf Coast - but not in the quantities needed."
If this is true you might as well blame GWB, he has more influence than the Gideon People.

Let me reiterate, Mr Angry Man: They are getting aid. No one is racing forward in the BibleMobile to get there ahead of the Red Cross to convert the suffering.

A Bible may be a very comforting thing to have on you when you have NOTHING left.

Now stop being silly.

[DC Ripper]

You are fooling no one with your self-righteousness, sniping at others for doing what they think is appropriate. How do you know they aren't handing out food as well?

Why don't you get lost, you petty little pygmie?

If you had any sense, you would realize that you have made a colossal ass of yourself.