Posted on 08/02/2006 9:05:23 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
This was inspired by the discussion had on the thread Christian Retailing and the Great Commission. No disrespect is meant in posting the following (and no, this isn't satire)
Was websurfing earlier this evening, and quite accidentally (seriously!) stumbled across the following toys:
Pope Innocent III action figure
Armed with his formidable power of excommunication and an intimidating scroll inscribed with Latin text, this 6-inch tall, hard plastic model of the youngest Pope will soon have all of your other action figures lining up for confession. Read the back of the illustrated blister card and you'll find that Pope Innocent III was a good guy in all respects. He was a patron of the arts, cared about orphans, built a hospital, and reunified the Papal States. Comes with removable Pope hat!
Pope John Paul II Talking 12-inch figure
This 12-inch action figure is a respectful presentation of the late Pope! Each action figure includes a certificate of authenticity that confirms the edition and production number. Each action figure contains 22 unique and authentic phrases. (Subject to change.)So my question to the Catholic posters here is simply "Is an action figure/toy of the Pope considered a novelty, or a blasphemy?"From the creators of Toypresidents, Timecapsule Toys seeks to promote the principles of education and the discovery of the world's greatest contributors with this collectable series of timeless talking action figure. With up to 4 minutes of audio, this figure will entertain, as well as educate, by immortalizing those who have had global impact in all areas of human behavior. Timecapsule Toys does not endorse specific individuals; rather it seeks to promote a better understanding of their contributions, importance and historical significance.
There are lots of other historical dolls on that same website, incl the obvious (Jesus, Moses) and the not-so-obvious (Johann Sebastian Bach, Carl Jung, Nelson Mandela).
They could at least make one that looked like JPII. Not being a Catholic, I don't really have an opinion on the question but I'm a big fan of JPII.
I wasn't too impressed with the likeness either. The figure looks more like the late Jim Backus IMO.
Former Catholic here....it doesn't look disrepectful to me...indeed, maybe it will get kids interested in the church and/or Latin....
I just had an awesome idea for a Jesus action figure: He's much lighter than water and he comes with a broad, clear, acrylic stand :^)
Y'all catch my, er, drift?
2148 Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called." The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion.
Blasphemy is contrary to the respect due God and his holy name. It is in itself a grave sin.
I'm guessing triviality doesn't rise to the level of blasphemy and any disrespect seems rather gentle.
I'd say novelty.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Hmmm... comes with its own Freudian imagery, I see...
I like this one: comes with the proper number of fishes and loaves AND the "magic cistern" 
Guess who?
Hmmm. Odd. I wonder why I couldn't find a Mohamed action figure for sale?
And what's with the exceptional poor job with jointing his groin... and no knees?
Huh??? ROTFL
ping
Jane Austen? A Jane Austen "action" figure? Could there be anyone less inclined to action than Jane Austen?
Okay, maybe the Buddha Sitting Under The Bodhi Tree action figure but that's about it.
(*OK, so it couldn't be TOTALLY authentic.)
(ducks and runs)
Would you believe a GOVERNOR McGREASEY action figure?
Or an UDAY action figure?
What's not thrillingly exciting about a Jane Austen action figure... And, of course, you can pose her making out with her hubby, Steve:
(Yeah, they had the wrestler Steve Austin, too, but that just didn't strike me as funny.)
I'm not sure if this thread is better suited for your art ping list, or your caption this... but i thought, given your warped sense of humor, you might like some of these!
Novelty. The fact that such things exist is a rather goofy symptom of the much warmer relationship Catholics now have with the Popes, thanks to John XXIII and John Paul II, among others.
I used to have a little plaster statue of Pope John Paul (it did look a little like Jim Bachus, actually), but the kids broke it playing baseball in the dining room.
Plus, it has to be better than Barbie or action figures of Sleazywoodians, rap singers or other negative role models.
Bach action figure? There HAS to be one of Mozart this year (his 250th birthday). I think they're great. What's not to admire?
If you want on or off the Useful Idiot Caption-A-Rama Ping List, please notify me by freepmail.
How can anyone bowl with no knees?
WOW. Thanks! 
Ain't capitalism great?
Sorry for the HUGE image. I copied it right from the post and didn't realize that the poster had shrunk it.
Do they have kung-fu grip?
Well it would be interesting to see the Casanove figure in action. :)
Casanova
This is a true story. A friend of mine bought her two sons each an action figure, Peter and Paul. She said they loved them and wanted to take them everywhere. They went shopping and the mother wanted to try on a garment and went to the dressing room. She sat the boys down outside her room, closed the door and began to undress. She said she could hear them playing through the door, when suddenly the one child began screaming. The other child yelled, “Mommy, mommy, brother has his Peter caught in the garbage can.” You can imagine what my friend, as well as the other ladies in the dressing room, thought. She said suddenly nearly all the ladies in the dressing room in different stages of undress rushed to the boy’s aid. When they reached the distraught child they found him holding on to the little plastic Peter doll caught in the flap of the garbage can. My friend said she was so embarrassed, but the other ladies laughed. She said she put her clothes on and quickly left department store.
This is a true story. A friend of mine bought her two sons each an action figure, Peter and Paul. She said they loved them and wanted to take them everywhere. They went shopping and the mother wanted to try on a garment and went to the dressing room. She sat the boys down outside her room, closed the door and began to undress. She said she could hear them playing through the door, when suddenly the one child began screaming. The other child yelled, “Mommy, mommy, brother has his Peter caught in the garbage can.” You can imagine what my friend, as well as the other ladies in the dressing room, thought. She said suddenly nearly all the ladies in the dressing room in different stages of undress rushed to the boy’s aid. When they reached the distraught child they found him holding on to the little plastic Peter doll caught in the flap of the garbage can. My friend said she was so embarrassed, but the other ladies laughed. She said she put her clothes on and quickly left department store.
Obsessive Compulsive Action Figure
This 5-1/4" (13.3 cm) tall, hard vinyl Obsessive Compulsive Action Figure is worried about whether or not you washed your hands after you used the bathroom. Just in case, he’s sure you won’t mind if he wears his gloves and surgical mask when he shakes your hand. Or even better, maybe you could just bump elbows with him. Now, as soon as he finishes counting those ceiling tiles, he can get started on alphabetizing the canned foods. Mini surgical mask included. Packaged with a sanitary, hypo-allergenic towelette to clean off the figure before you touch it.
OMG, I am cracking up!
Bacon, I think your new alias should be "Dick the Albino Bowler."
By the way, did anyone stumble across the Hillary Clinton figure?
Hey Gamecock! Come over here and show everyone your bobblehead!
That's a sport down in the Montrose, yo.
 |
J. D. Salinger. The Seymour Glass action doll commits suicide . . . |
I kind of like this one, Jesus in the NBA.
ROTFLMAO!! "This is house of basketball!"
LOL. You know I meant that as a compliment... :^D
Texas A&M???
You KNOW JC went to te Big East!!!!
I did. For some reason, I kept having Chuckie-style nightmares for weeks afterwards.
Sorry... I didn't even check to see if there WAS a "Dick, the Albino bowler" ping list! :^D
By the way.... That's not Texas A&M, and it's not Jesus.
It's Gonzaga.
And, unless you totally aren't really into NCAA BBall at all, I don't have to tell you who that is.
It doesn't get used very often, I'm afraid.
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