In all, 91,000 copies of the New Testament will be sent out. The paper is getting $36,000 from International Bible Society for sending out the Word of God in the season of Jesus' birth.

Included in the version being mailed are testimonials from two local residents who, after living vicarious, secular lives, have turned to the word of God.

One, 38-year-old Rhonda, featured in Harley Davidson-style motorcycle leathers, discusses her "reckless years of being chained to alcohol, drugs and empty relationships" before turning to God.

The other, 74-year-old Jose, describes himself as a "former military tough guy" who now, after years of living dangerously, has turned to Jesus.

As you might expect in this age of rampant political correctness, however, not everyone is happy with the Gazette's peace offering. Some even see it as intentionally exclusionary.

"If I were the editor I would want everyone in my community to feel that the pages of my newspaper are there for them," Kelly McBride – the ethics group leader at the Poynter Institute, an organization that promotes responsible journalism – told the Independent.

"I would want nonbelievers and Muslims and Jews to feel this was their paper as well," he said.

And Mary Simon, administrator of Temple Shalom in Colorado Springs, told the Independent some of her members will cancel their subscriptions to protest the decision.

For its part, the paper sees no difference providing its readers free Bibles than providing any other product.

"Just because we distribute something doesn't mean we endorse it or don't endorse it," Gazette publisher Bob Burdick wrote in the "Lifestyle" section of his paper Oct. 16, in describing the plan.

And there will be some good to come out of the initiative even from people who don't want their copies of the New Testament. Simon says she and others will collect unwanted Bibles and give them to churches, homeless shelters and other places that need them.

"We're trying to make a positive statement," she told the Independent.

Editor's note: