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Toys for Tots rejects Jesus dolls
CNN ^ | 1:51 p.m. EST, November 14, 2006 | AP

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: christmas; inappropriate; jesus; marines; militantevangelism; toys; toysfortots
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To: Cecily
There is a certain irony I suppose. I even find giving the doll to children a little ironic in and of itself, although a baby Jesus doll given to little girls would be more clearly so.

That said, like it or not, for most folks Christmas is a secular holiday with an emphasis on charity. Because of that, many folks find it is a good time of year to work for charities because people are in the mood to give. Nothing wrong with that imo.

I still think this is much ado about nothing, but you are certainly free to disagree.
161 posted on 11/14/2006 12:28:56 PM PST by pollyannaish
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To: pollyannaish
And...you are exactly correct about it being a publicity stunt. The question is...is it working? ;-)

Afraid so, judging from the number of panties in a twist over it.

As a post early in the thread said, the Marines didn't go telling the press they declined a donation, so who did? and for what reason?

162 posted on 11/14/2006 12:30:34 PM PST by Gabz (If we weren't crazy, we'd just all go insane.)
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To: ShadowDancer
That would be tantamount to my celebrating Hanukkah to get gifts.

Well, by and large, that is what kids get out of Hanukkah and few people care. The hasidim probably don't even celebrate. American Jews took a minor holiday and adapted it so that kids won't feel totally left out at Christmastime. Other non-Christian immigrants simply joined in the secular Christmas.

Isn't it greed for the "tots" to get these gifts, then? This is how kids function. Maybe it would be good for Christmas to be stripped of greed, but that's not the vision of Christmas that includes making sure little kids get toys so they don't feel left out when their rich friends get toys. It's all part of the same materialism.
163 posted on 11/14/2006 12:30:38 PM PST by HostileTerritory
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To: ShadowDancer
Sorry, I don't at all get the idea of celebrating a religious holiday that you are at complete and total odds with.

Why would you think I'm at odds with it? Christmas is already a secular holiday in all but name for for millions of people.

I also get piss drunk on St. Patrick's day (without a trace of celtic heritage), and I make sure my wife has a present on Valentine's Day.

164 posted on 11/14/2006 12:31:04 PM PST by Wormwood (Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter because nobody listens.)
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To: HostileTerritory
That would be tantamount to my celebrating Hanukkah to get gifts.

What I meant was, being that I'm Christian, it would be wrong for me to celebrate Hanukkah to get Hanukkah presents (or for my kids to for that matter).

165 posted on 11/14/2006 12:32:41 PM PST by ShadowDancer (No autopsy, no foul.)
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To: Tulsa Ramjet

I would be to humiliated to do something like that.4,000 girls will all be short a doll for Christmas.Sounds like child abuse to me.The Marines and the Army always had bad vibes against one another.A healthy rivalry as some may put it.But,I always had respect for them and still do.The order had to come from someone higher in the chain of command.The Marines were following orders,as they should.I'm sure they did not like doing it,and my guess is, many Marines did not sleep well that night.Find out who gave the order.plaster his picture around.


166 posted on 11/14/2006 12:34:02 PM PST by xarmydog
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To: Wormwood
Why would you think I'm at odds with it?

I'm going to assume that was rhetorical.

Christmas is already a secular holiday in all but name for for millions of people.

And for millions more it isn't.

167 posted on 11/14/2006 12:34:07 PM PST by ShadowDancer (No autopsy, no foul.)
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To: Tulsa Ramjet

How foolish of Toys for Tots. They've just destroyed their corporate image and goodwill.

The only one's impacted by this stupid decision is "the children".

Expect a retraction/mia culpa before the end of the week.


168 posted on 11/14/2006 12:34:13 PM PST by He'sComingBack!
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To: Tulsa Ramjet

I don't see the problem here. I wouldn't want a charity pushing any specific religion period. What's wrong with keeping religion out of it. Not everyone is a Christian, or a Jew, or a Muslim, etc...


169 posted on 11/14/2006 12:35:26 PM PST by Mazda3Fan
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To: Tulsa Ramjet
Send them a couple thousand "Dammit Dolls".


170 posted on 11/14/2006 12:38:04 PM PST by azhenfud (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
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To: Mazda3Fan
I don't see the problem here. I wouldn't want a charity pushing any specific religion period.

Exactly. There are plenty of religious charities out there---it seems the dollmaker was trying to stir up a little publicity here.

171 posted on 11/14/2006 12:38:56 PM PST by Wormwood (Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter because nobody listens.)
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To: Mazda3Fan

"What's wrong with keeping religion out of it. Not everyone is a Christian, or a Jew, or a Muslim, etc..."

Its history, its culture, its a way of life for some. Nobody is asking to convert to anything. Believe it or not, Jesus is a historical figure, along with other jewish prophets that figure prominently in the history of law, governing, and personal conduct. Time to take the prism of "soul-fear" off and let your kid play with a toy. I guess next, little black girls won't be able to play with blonde barbies due to fear of inferiority (i.e. straight hair) Puhleez.


172 posted on 11/14/2006 12:40:54 PM PST by Tulsa Ramjet ("If not now, when?" "Because it's judgment that defeats us.")
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To: MeanWestTexan
The muhammed dolls had to be recalled. They kept beating Barbie, chopping off Ken's head, having sex with "Baaa" the stuffed lamb, and then blowing up.

As such, they were a safety hazard.

I can just see a sequel to that old SNL skit with Aykroyd describing Mainway Toys' newest offerings. A Mohammed doll would be a great follow-up to "Johnny Switchblade: Action Punk" and "Big Bag 'O Glass".

173 posted on 11/14/2006 12:40:57 PM PST by Charles Martel (Liberals are the crab grass in the lawn of life.)
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To: Tulsa Ramjet

I've got mine!


174 posted on 11/14/2006 12:43:56 PM PST by onedoug
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To: TaraP
Why is it rude? what is rude about it? can you name anything that is rude about giving Jesus to any person of any faith?

Maybe telling anyone about the 10 Commandments is rude. Don't tell me I can't lie or steal or murder or commit adultery... (Sheesh!)

You forgot the Second Commandment: Ex 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above or that [is] in the earth beneath or that [is] in the water under the earth.

A "Jesus Doll" is definitely not a toy, and to some may actually be sacrilegious, as well.

175 posted on 11/14/2006 12:47:49 PM PST by NathanR (Après moi, le deluge.)
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To: He'sComingBack!

Expect a retraction/mia culpa before the end of the week.



I hope so. I put their e-mail on one of my posts.


176 posted on 11/14/2006 12:48:29 PM PST by napscoordinator
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To: zarf

Funny. That is not how He looked at it.


177 posted on 11/14/2006 12:59:22 PM PST by NathanR (Après moi, le deluge.)
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To: Tulsa Ramjet; All

Guys, while I appreciate what this company was trying to do, and spreading the Gospel is worthy, would you like it if you were a Jewish kid and instead of getting a cool toy, you get a Jesus doll?

Or even if you were a Christian kid...I don't think these kids want a Jesus doll.

They want a fire truck or something cool.


178 posted on 11/14/2006 1:04:49 PM PST by rwfromkansas (http://xanga.com/rwfromkansas)
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To: Tulsa Ramjet

Personally, I'm rather put off by the idea of making a toy Jesus. No matter how well intentioned, the way most children treat toys would does not conform with the respect we should show to the Word.


179 posted on 11/14/2006 1:05:20 PM PST by Flying Circus
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To: Tulsa Ramjet; All

I think a Jesus doll is rather hokey or perhaps even slightly blasphemous as well. I would not want one.


180 posted on 11/14/2006 1:06:29 PM PST by rwfromkansas (http://xanga.com/rwfromkansas)
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