Who are the Gideons?

Search: who are the gideons

Why: The waiting room at my dentist's office had a hotel-style Bible "placed by the Gideons."

Answer: Members of the Gideon Society, a worldwide Protestant evangelical organization! They have been around since 1899. They are named for Gideon, who served God even when his orders seemed contradictory or strange.

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.

Similarly, they take every opportunity to bear witness as Christians, whether sneaking Bibles into your dentist's office or cornering you on an airplane.

Source: WiseGeek

The More You Know: Songs that mention the Gideon Bible:

• The Beatles – "Rocky Raccoon"
• Beulah – "Maroon Bible"
• Clutch – "Profits of Doom"
• Fall Out Boy – "XO"
• Frank Zappa – "Room Service"
• George Strait - "Maria"
• Jay Brannan - "Home" ("Why don't the Gideons leave condoms in the drawer? Bibles don't save many people anymore.")
• Jethro Tull – "Locomotive Breath"
• Jimmy Buffett – "This Hotel Room"
• John Cale – "Gideon's Bible"
• My Morning Jacket – "Gideon"
• Pedro The Lion – "Rapture"
• State Radio – "Rash of Robberies"
• Steve Goodman - This Hotel Room