Posted on 11/14/2006 12:56:01 PM PST by Alex Murphy
A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program.
A suburban Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 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, Va.
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."
According to the company's Web site, the button-activated, bearded Jesus, dressed in hand-sewn cloth outfits and sandals, recites Scripture such as "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." It has a $20 retail value.
Grein also questioned whether children would welcome a gift designed for religious instruction. "Kids want a gift for the holiday season that is fun," he said.
The program distributed 18 million stuffed animals, games, toy trucks and other gifts to children in 2005.
Isn't it a violation of the Ten Commandments anyway?
I would have rejected it.....kids want toys, not religious items.
Maybe if they dressed Him in army fatigues? I get the point, but it's kind of sad that the Marines can't accept Jesus. (insert jokes here)
At the same time I don't like the thought of some little kid dragging Him around in the dirt, or getting Him lost under the bed, or chewed up by Fido, or his big mean brother playing with Him and Barbie in some naughty fun.... Hmm, maybe the Marines have a point.
Jesus doll with kung-fu grip!!
Seems a little disrespectful, to me...
The way my daughter treats her dolls, it would be very disrespectful to Christ to let her have one.
Betting they accept burkhas and chadors for tots
I guarantee, this will become a HUGE story over the next few days.
B.) I would find it offensive the same as I would a "toy bible" or a "toy rosary" or a "toy baptismal fount"
Some things are not suitable for making toys out of.
Not appropriate. I sure wouldn't allow my children to have one.
I would find it offensive the same as I would a "toy bible" or a "toy rosary" or a "toy baptismal fount"
Not appropriate. I sure wouldn't allow my children to have one.
This inclination to make a doll out of anybody and everybody is frankly creepy and more an adult collector thing then something for kids.
The Pope isn't God.
He may be the Vicar of Christ and I love him very much, but a doll of a person is just doll.
A doll of Christ diminishes the Cross.
Maybe a Marine Jesus would go over better. LOL!
Unlike, say, a glow-in-the-dark cross?
I would not own one as I personally consider this an idol, however the Marines Toys for Tots program seems pretty hypocritical in their logic. As stated on their own website:
MISSION: The mission of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
GOAL: The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.
Why would T4T give a Jewish or Muslim child a Christmas gift?
Would your definition of idol be a representation of God, as then "The Passion of the Christ" could be viewed as such. To me, it's not an idol unless you worship it. Remember the bronze serpent in the wilderness. It seems that many Christians share the Moslem view against image making.
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