The charity GideonsUK has been forced to change its name following a turbulent period marked by equality issues and legal proceedings. The charity, once the British arm of Gideons International, is now called ‘GOOD NEWS for Everyone!’.
It has also adopted a new logo, in the form of an open Bible, in order to comply with a ruling of the intellectual property court.
The Gideons are best known for placing what have long been affectionately known as ‘Gideon Bibles’ in hotels, hospitals, prisons and elsewhere.
A men-only organisation, the Gideons started in the US in 1899 and its UK branch was founded in 1949. In 2015, its exclusively male membership policy caught the attention of the UK’s Charity Commission which approached the British branch as to whether it was complying with the Equality Act 2010.
To prevent a discrimination case, the British branch opened up membership to women in 2018 – to the consternation of Gideons International which continues to adhere to a strict ‘core value’ of male membership only.
Its International Cabinet refused to support the British branch’s move to admit women, and in 2016 suspended the national branch. In 2018, GideonsUK (as it was then) applied to register its trademark. The international organisation successfully opposed the application, claiming that it was made in bad faith knowing it owned the Gideon name.
The UK branch, whose 4,500 members place around 800,000 Bibles and copies of Scripture across the country, decided not to appeal the decision and began to make moves to change its name to comply with the ruling.
Allen Moxham, former communications director at Evangelical Alliance UK, said: ‘Changing the name of an organisation that has become a household name is notoriously difficult and they have a long road ahead to establish the same awareness and clarity of vision in the minds of Christians and non-Christians alike.’
Referring to the name GOOD NEWS for Everyone!, Moxham commented; ‘Clarity is key, a name must say who you are and what you do, while prompting people’s interest’.
On a positive note, he said: ‘The new name says it is obviously looking to be more inclusive while retaining the organisation’s commitment to ensuring the Bible is freely available, and that is to be applauded.’
A spokesperson for GOOD NEWS for Everyone! said the name change is ‘to better reflect the organisation we are today’. Its new open book logo is intended to represent the accessibility of God’s word and the organisation’s desire to ‘share the Good News of Jesus far and wide’.
Iain J. Mair, executive director of GOOD NEWS for Everyone! said: ‘We feel this change is in keeping with God’s will for the organisation and there has been overwhelming support from our members. It’s important that we welcome new members in response to their spiritual calling regardless of gender or occupation. We are excited about the future and the new opportunities we have to share the good news.’
