Toys for Tots rejects Jesus dolls

[almaty 19]

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."

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 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.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

"I believe ... anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible."

Then you are delusional.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I can understand Toys For Tots misgivings about the "talking Jesus dolls." They make a good point, after all. What if those dolls were distributed to Jewish or Muslim children? Furthermore, what child actually desires a relgiously-inspired gift? Maybe a few do, but most children I've known (including myself when I was growing up) wanted something that was more entertaining.

So I see these "Jesus dolls" as interesting, but probably not the best thing for an organization like this to be passing out. Maybe at Sunday School or Bible Study or something like that these dolls would be appropriate, but I just don't see children of any faith reacting well to a doll that recites scripture. Where's the fun in that?

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Die Sinner Ho! Ho! Ho!

*whine* mooooooooooom jesus called me a hoe!

[almaty 19]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

daniel-san, a good point

[DeadPoolX 9]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

Well, I don't know about Islam, but maybe they'd be handing out gifts to Jewish kids for Hanukkah? It usually falls sometime around Christmas. In fact, I think it's a week before Christmas this year.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well, I don't know about Islam, but maybe they'd be handing out gifts to Jewish kids for Hanukkah? It usually falls sometime around Christmas. In fact, I think it's a week before Christmas this year.

That's extra work for an organization that I presume operates on a tight budget. Giving the dolls back was a good idea for them, who needs the headache.

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

Well, I don't know about Islam, but maybe they'd be handing out gifts to Jewish kids for Hanukkah? It usually falls sometime around Christmas. In fact, I think it's a week before Christmas this year.

really? i know sometimesit coicides.. but i also thought that just passed by. any one who knows care to fill us in?

Daniel

:energetic:

[mawilson 2,133]

They should sell anatomically correct inflatable Prophet Muhammad dolls for homosexuals instead.

[Alex+R 0]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

Well, I don't know about Islam, but maybe they'd be handing out gifts to Jewish kids for Hanukkah? It usually falls sometime around Christmas. In fact, I think it's a week before Christmas this year.

really? i know sometimesit coicides.. but i also thought that just passed by. any one who knows care to fill us in?

Daniel

:energetic:

Hanukkah usually shows up some time around Xmas. Or before. It goes by the Jewish calendar, in which we are in like 5763 or something (I'm too lazy to google it). But c'mon, Jewish kids who need Toys for Tots? Who are these poor Jews?

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

The reality is that in western nations Christmas is a secular holiday. Christians started it and may still claim it, but everyone celebrates it. I have seen enough Islam trees, Budda trees, etc to know that Christians have lost this holiday to the masses. They can, however, keep Easter.

[DeadPoolX 9]

can I get an Amen?

don't get me wrong here folks, but what are non Christian kids getting Christmas toys for? How do these folks hand 'em out?

Daniel

:energetic:

Well, I don't know about Islam, but maybe they'd be handing out gifts to Jewish kids for Hanukkah? It usually falls sometime around Christmas. In fact, I think it's a week before Christmas this year.

really? i know sometimesit coicides.. but i also thought that just passed by. any one who knows care to fill us in?

Daniel

:energetic:

Hanukkah usually shows up some time around Xmas. Or before. It goes by the Jewish calendar, in which we are in like 5763 or something (I'm too lazy to google it). But c'mon, Jewish kids who need Toys for Tots? Who are these poor Jews?

That's a stereotype and a misconception -- not all Jews are rich. Some are doing merely okay, others struggling to make ends meet, and then there are those who're really poor. Just like any other group of people.

To insinuate that Jews, as a group, are wealthy is like stating that Asians are all braniacs or African-Americans would be "gang-bangers." Some fit the mold, but there are a lot that don't.

[Joel Halfwassen 0]

All asians are not brainiacs?!?

Joel

[sarah and hicham 3]

What ever happened to "guns for tots"?