The men were a part of Gideons International, an evangelical Christian organization that distributes free Bibles across the country in an attempt to get information out about Christianity.
One of the men handing the Bibles out was Bob South, a retired Ball State computer graphics professor. As of 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 7, South said he had distributed around 300 Bibles in front of LaFollette Complex.
“I’ve seen the Gideons on campus for my entire years of teaching, and I said, 'When I retire, I’m gonna join those people,'" South said. "I’ve been involved for about 10 years.”
Some students encountered the group during their morning walk to class.
Freshman photojournalism major Brooke Kratzer saw two Gideons and said while she knows everyone on campus has different beliefs, she thought it was awesome that they were trying to spread the word of the Bible on campus.
“I think it’s one of the coolest things ever that [they] take time out of their day to do that," Kratzer said. "[I think] the world needs more people like that. It’s an awesome and subtle way to reach out to college students."
Before the Gideons came to campus, they had to call and inform Charles Scofield, the facilities assignment coordinator.
No permit is required, but there are limitations to where outside groups can be, Scofield said.
"They can only be in front of buildings or on the sidewalks near the street," he said. "They cannot be inside buildings or at residence halls."
Max Karcher, a junior finance major, saw six or seven Gideons in the area between the Studebaker residence halls and Noyer Complex, but only one tried to talk to him.
Karcher said throughout the years he’s gotten better at avoiding them, but it is getting more difficult.
“I don’t particularly care for it," he said. "I know some people are cool with it and some people are totally against it, but it doesn’t really affect me that much. I just mentally prepare my rejection to them and say, 'No, thank you.'”
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