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.
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