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 ...
"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above"
Time to pull the angels off the trees and chuck the nativity scenes. "Blasephemia, I tell ya, Blasphemia ALLLLLLLL around'a. GET BACK THEE SATAN'a"
No good deed goes unpunished, huh? Toys for Tots sets their protocols for their giving and we trash them for not meeting our own protocols. Sheesh! Some folks are unappeasable.
And why can't the Jesus-doll maker start a charity and hand them out himself? Hmmmm? Probably because someone will come along and trash his own motives. It's easier to be a critic than a do-er.
I'll support my Marines, thank you.
why does a Jesus doll even exist? i would not want my children to have a "Jesus doll." and we are Christians...
"[of any thing] that [is] in heaven above"
Where do angels hang out? Burger King?
See, a Jesus Action Figure (TM) is the epitome of classlessness.
Jesus Christ is not a toy. To commercialize him like that is blasphemy and idolatry. Unfortunately, too many Christians think this is cool. Time to turn over some tables and kick some thieves and salesmen out of the church.
why does a Jesus doll even exist? i would not want my children to have a "Jesus doll." and we are Christians...
"some Freepers on this thread shows how some people take this kind of stuff way too seriously."
wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too seriously.
"No one worships angels."
Correct (well, not sure about "no one" but correct in this context.)
To use the most obvious example, look at the description of the Arc of the Covenent that contained God's commandments: two Cherubim facing each other was the adornment.
The prohibition is against "graven images" is things people worship, of any kind.
I don't think a Jesus doll is a good thing anyway....somehow disrespectful.
ping...
gotta go, folks. Just posted another great thread about the Vatican condemning our newly passed border fence. see ya.
In America, Christmas is simultaneously a Christian and a secular (commercialized) holiday. I knew Hindus who celebrated Christmas that way.
Put this way: if a Jewish friend offered me a Hanukkah present, I would not refuse it - though he would have to expect a reciprocal Christmas gift.
I agree it's creepy (more tacky than creepy), but my point was more the opposite --- no one will be bowing down and worshiping the Jesus Doll --- ergo, not a 10 Commandment issue.
Opinions differ, of course.
(If your opinion differs, you better not have a Christmas tree in your house, as that would be prohibited too --- same chapter of Leviticus --- taking a tree in your house and decorating it is verboten.)
Unbelievable especially at Christmas time!!!!!!!!
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