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As far as the perceived "proselytization," I can only tell you what I experienced at the 3 distribution centers I visited. If handing people a Bible with their supplies and having chaplains and counselors on hand to answer questions is offensive, it is only to those removed from the situation. Those needing relief seemed to recognize that we did what we did in the name of Jesus Christ and expected no less. There was no pushiness, or high pressure speaches or anything of that nature, simply help and a gift.

EDIT: Interestingly enough, while they were perfectly welcome to refuse the complementry Bible, I didn't see a single case of anyone doing so.

Two points: just because it didn't happen near you doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. And, honestly, I'm not a big fan of handing out Bibles in this situation. And did you consider that people might take the Bible because they didn't want to offend the people helping them? I know that you would probably not be offended if they refused, but some would be, and there's always the fear of biting the hand that feeds you. I think that if you find it necessary to hand out Bibles that you just have a bin that they can get one from if they choose to do so.

Here's an interesting notion, though. What if a person came to you that was obviously of a different faith? Someone like an Hasidic Jew or even something as simple as wearing a Star of David or a woman wearing a headdress. Would you hand out a Bible to that person? If so, wouldn't that be a form of proselytization? If not, wouldn't that be inequal? Would you have a copy of the Torah or Qu'ran available for them? Now what about when that person's religious affiliation is not as obvious?

My point is that none of those questions are easily answered. I know that it's your intention to be helpful, and you certainly are materially, but religion is a very personal thing, and promoting one, even casually, can be offensive, no matter what you do. You either have to offer a Bible to the obviously non-Christian person, which can easily be seen as proselytization, or not offer one, which is inequal and prejudicial. I have no problems with Bibles being offered. I'm sure that they are very helpful to a certain class of people, but they also create a barrier to others. So you either need to make other religious books available or not offer the one you happen to personally approve of.

Sorry, Tony.
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Bitt Faulk