Posted on 11/14/2006 11:13:58 AM PST by Tulsa Ramjet
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program.
A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1 foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on biblical figures.
But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature.
Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill Grein, vice president of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in Quantico, Virginia.
As a government entity, Marines "don't profess one religion over another," Grein said Tuesday. "We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family."
Michael La Roe, director of business development for both companies, said the charity's decision left him "surprised and disappointed."
"The idea was for them to be three-dimensional teaching tools for kids," La Roe said. "I believe as a churchgoing person, anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible."
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
"I am surprised by my FRiends that don't seem to mind the silliness of a talking Jesus."
A talking Jesus almost certainly made by Godless Chinese communists, no less.
(Kind of joking; but not really.)
"Showing sensitivity to different belief systems is a hallmark of Christianity."
You have got to be kidding me. Read the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles and then tell us how much "sensitivity" they have to different belief systems. The God of Israel too for that matter.
"I think most freeper men would prefer the inflatable version."
True that! I think I saw some at Spencer Gifts in our Mall...
The Clinton News Network is having orgasms over reporting this one.....another victory against Christianity.
Only because WE Christians are falling for it. I must admit that I don't like the idea of the doll, but I would NEVER boycott Toys for Tots because of an article from CNN and after reading posts on here I sincerely hope that the rest of us don't either. We always do this and many times find out that the story was not even NEAR the truth of what really happened. If Rush discusses this and finds this true and the Marines are wrong than perhaps I could see people being upset.....BUT why are we getting upset over a BS CNN story?????? We are a funny bunch I tell ya. lol.
I bet if you asked 100 Kids to recite the 10 Commandments none of them could do it, yet ask them to name 10 beers or 10 rap artists it shall be done.
A Moses doll and Jesus would be an ideal gift to give a child IMO.
"A Moses doll"
Especially a rappin' Moses:
Moses Doll (pull string): Yo Yo Pharoah. Word dog! Free my Peeps!
In fact, Christianity is not considered a part of Judaism.
I agree with you.
I'm also inclined to agree with other posters who smell a bit of a trap here, as in a possible publicity stunt.
wjgrein@toysfortots.org
I am so upset about this that I want to find out for myself what the story is. I went and looked up this guy on the Toys for Tots Website and wrote him an email asking if he really said what he is quoted as saying and see perhaps if he was misquoted or did is the story much different than written by CNN!!!!!!! Please write to him as well. I don't like great Marines to be frowned upon by the CNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Precisely why I don't understand why they would need Christmas presents.
Gimme a break. Everybody celebrates Christmas, just not necessarily as a Christian holiday. They said these toys aren't intended just for Christian kids - so if they don't know who is getting them, they should just stick with generic toys. I think this is reasonable.
Really? The Jews and Muslims you know celebrate Christmas?
Somehow thats not how the gospel is supposed to be shared, I think..
I know quite a few Pakistani Muslims, Hindus, and non-Christian Chinese people who celebrate Christmas. It's the music, the lights, the gifts, the parties. It's essentially a secular holiday in the U.S. and only Jews make a big deal about conspicuously not celebrating it.
More to the real point (this is not my original thought):
"Like any Jewish family is part of the T-F-T program.
So we're talking about muslims here."
With all the attendant baggage.
Yep. I think outrage is one of the most easily manipulated emotions. In fact, it's used all the time around here. And...you are exactly correct about it being a publicity stunt. The question is...is it working? ;-)
ping
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