I think that the charity made the right decision here. Not only that, but the spokesperson for the donor is a real character. Oy.
LOS ANGELES – 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.”
November 14, 2006 at 2:01 pm |
Interesting. It’s too bad, because lots of kids would probably be pleased to receive a Jesus doll that quoted Bible verses. But you’d have to let parents and kids choose that toy specifically – you couldn’t just distribute them randomly.
November 15, 2006 at 8:51 pm |
I can agree with that.
November 19, 2006 at 6:56 am |
I wonder how many Christian kids would love to have a toy Ganesh quoting the Hindu scriptures!
November 19, 2006 at 9:54 pm |
It would be fun to find out.
April 10, 2009 at 7:05 am |
My name is Adrienne M. Dixon, President and Chief Executive Officer of T.UP.A.C. (Train up a Child) International, LLC. T.UP.A.C. is a new faith-based toy company that markets toys, dolls, action figures, figurines, games, and other collectors’ items that help introduce a fun way to teach children the importance of adopting spiritual principles early in life.
We believe that Satan is our lord and work hard to see that our children adopt his ways.
April 19, 2009 at 12:59 pm |
I have returned to ask that you join me in worshiping our lord, satan.
May 7, 2009 at 11:35 am |
No thank you!
June 11, 2009 at 12:51 pm |
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