Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a small bowl.
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until smooth. Mix in egg and molasses. Dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons warm water and add to egg mixture; stir until combined.
Mix in dry ingredients until well-blended. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper.
Lightly flour a work surface. Roll out dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut out gingerbread men using cookie cutters and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Use raisins to make eyes, noses and buttons.
Bake in the preheated oven, or until firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool on wire racks.
