talking Jesus doll has been turned down

[lily]

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061114/..._doll_rejected)

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."

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.

[MAP2010.wireless]

Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061114/..._doll_rejected)

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."

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.


I don't know how you feel, but finding God is something you do because you feel it right. They should say (if) you want this doll you can have it, but if not thats your right.

Now if the Kids want the Doll then it ok.

Mark

[askates]

its still brainwashing

[MAP2010.wireless]

its still brainwashing


No it is not, If I ask hey do you want this Doll?
You can say yes or no.

Brainwashing is forcing it on the kids.

If you ask thats a choice.

[lily]

My first thought was this is sacrilegious. I was brought up that any thing pertaining to God is sacred, not a toy. It was inappropriate.

My second thought was it was they got what they wanted. Publicity.

[piratemonkey]

No it is not, If I ask hey do you want this Doll?
You can say yes or no.

Brainwashing is forcing it on the kids.

If you ask thats a choice.


So we should ask kids if they want to go to church and allow them to stay home if they want to?

[lily]

No it is not, If I ask hey do you want this Doll?
You can say yes or no.

Brainwashing is forcing it on the kids.

If you ask thats a choice.


So, we should make an exception just for this one "toy"? Toys for Tots doesn't as a rule ask the children which toy they would like to have.

[BoogyMan]

Talking Jesus dolls?Â*Â*I find this kind of thing interesting as no-one alive today knows what Jesus looked like so how could they model a doll after him?Â*Â*

I also don't see how these dolls could possibly be seen as anything other than disrespectful to Christ?

[lily]

Talking Jesus dolls? I find this kind of thing interesting as no-one alive today knows what Jesus looked like so how could they model a doll after him?

Most of the world goes by the Old Masters paintings of Jesus, but fact shows that they are wrong.

I also don't see how these dolls could possibly be seen as anything other than disrespectful to Christ?

We agree!

[Elrathin]

Talking Jesus dolls?Â*Â*I find this kind of thing interesting as no-one alive today knows what Jesus looked like so how could they model a doll after him?Â*

That hasn't stopped pictures and patinings being made of him though. And many christians buy them up like hotcakes.Â*


I also don't see how these dolls could possibly be seen as anything other than disrespectful to Christ?


I agree, but then with a religion where the majority of the people in the U.S. are what I call "Sunday Christians" I'm not suprised. It seems most people nowadays only believe in Christianity when talking about abortion, gay marriage and when they go to church on Sunday.

Other than that it is "ticket to sin" baby.

[BoogyMan]

That hasn't stopped pictures and patinings being made of him though.Â*Â*And many christians buy them up like hotcakes.

Some do, many don't. All this does is make for a societally tailored view to become prevalent.

I agree, but then with a religion where the majority of the people in the U.S. are what I call "Sunday Christians" I'm not suprised.Â*Â*It seems most people nowadays only believe in Christianity when talking about abortion, gay marriage and when they go to church on Sunday.

Other than that it is "ticket to sin" baby.

There are quite a few like that. I am not one of those and most of the people I know are not like that, but I see it every day.

We should really get back on topic now! :)

[MAP2010.wireless]

No it is not, If I ask hey do you want this Doll?
You can say yes or no.

Brainwashing is forcing it on the kids.

If you ask thats a choice.


So we should ask kids if they want to go to church and allow them to stay home if they want to?


You do want you want with your kids, they are not your kids.

[MAP2010.wireless]

No it is not, If I ask hey do you want this Doll?
You can say yes or no.

Brainwashing is forcing it on the kids.

If you ask thats a choice.


So, we should make an exception just for this one "toy"? Toys for Tots doesn't as a rule ask the childrenÂ*Â*which toy they would like to have.


Hey I'm saying do not give something like that if the Child is not understanding what it is, if you can't ask don't give.

[lily]

Well........I know everyone was on the edge of their seats, wondering if these dolls would have a home.

Link (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,230039,00.html)


LOS ANGELES - The Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program has decided to
accept a donation of talking Jesus dolls for gifts, changing course on a
decision earlier this week to not accept them.

"The talking Jesus doll issue has been resolved," the Marine organization
announced on its Web site Wednesday. "Toys for Tots has found appropriate
places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to
handle this transaction."

[MAP2010.wireless]

Well........I know everyone was on the edge of their seats, wondering if these dolls would have a home.

Link (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,230039,00.html)


LOS ANGELES -Â*Â*The Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program has decided to
accept a donation of talking Jesus dolls for gifts, changing course on a
decision earlier this week to not accept them.

"The talking Jesus doll issue has been resolved," the Marine organization
announced on its Web site Wednesday. "Toys for Tots has found appropriate
places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to
handle this transaction."


Hey there is other ways to get Gods word out, but if they are ok with it then ok.

[Elrathin]

I would like to see how "tolerant" these supporters of the dolls would be if a doll was given out that said "Being gay is ok"? Something tells me their so called "tolerance" would go out the window.

It's funny how "Christians" are ok with THEIR message being given out, but not anyone elses. I wonder why.

[MAP2010.wireless]

I would like to see how "tolerant" these supporters of the dolls would be if a doll was given out that said "Being gay is ok"?Â*Â*Something tells me their so called "tolerance" would go out the window.

It's funny how "Christians" are ok with THEIR message being given out, but not anyone elses.Â*Â*I wonder why.


I'm a Christian and I said it is not good to give kids that are not yours something like that, and yes I would do everything i could do to stop something like a doll that would say Being gay is ok.

And if that happed there would be an outrage, and it would be right.

Thats like giving them a XXX Video, they are kids.

Christ tells kids to do good, Saying it ok to be Gay is something kids should not hear.

[Elrathin]

Christ tells kids to do good, Saying it ok to be Gay is something kids should not hear.


No according to you Christians, Christ tells people to be goo dor they will burn in a fiery hell for all eternity if they do not follow his teachings. Yeah that's something you tell a kid......NOT.

Thanks for proving me right. IT is ok for Christians to push their religion on everyone, but not ok for gays to. Now the hypocrisy is being shown.

[underdawg]

Wonder what people would say if they came up with a black talking Jesus doll?

[BoogyMan]

I would like to see how "tolerant" these supporters of the dolls would be if a doll was given out that said "Being gay is ok"?Â*Â*Something tells me their so called "tolerance" would go out the window.

It's funny how "Christians" are ok with THEIR message being given out, but not anyone elses.Â*Â*I wonder why.


Hold on there Elrathin, did you see from my previous post that I have a problem with this? I find this whole doll thing demeaning to the image of Christ.

[BoogyMan]

Wonder what people would say if they came up with a black talking Jesus doll?

Race baiting really does lower the tone of this discussion underdawg and quite frankly I am surprised that a civil debater such as yourself would stoop to it.

What does color have to do with any of this?

[MAP2010.wireless]

Christ tells kids to do good, Saying it ok to be Gay is something kids should not hear.


No according to you Christians, Christ tells people to be goo dor they will burn in a fiery hell for all eternity if they do not follow his teachings.Â*Â*Yeah that's something you tell a kid......NOT.

Thanks for proving me right.Â*Â*IT is ok for Christians to push their religion on everyone, but not ok for gays to.Â*Â*Now the hypocrisy is being shown.


DID you not see when I said "If they are not your kids then you should not give them the dolls." Read all of my post, I think it is wrong.
Now if they are my kids I will tell them of Christ, but I will not try to tell your kids thats your job to tell them what you want them to know.

[lily]

Wonder what people would say if they came up with a black talking Jesus doll?

Race baiting really does lower the tone of this discussion underdawg and quite frankly I am surprised that a civil debater such as yourself would stoop to it.

What does color have to do with any of this?


Race baiting? Jesus was very dark skinned, most probably black.

[BoogyMan]

Wonder what people would say if they came up with a black talking Jesus doll?

Race baiting really does lower the tone of this discussion underdawg and quite frankly I am surprised that a civil debater such as yourself would stoop to it.

What does color have to do with any of this?


Race baiting? Jesus was very dark skinned, most probably black.


You are missing the point Lily, as I said color doesn't matter. Underdawg was clearly baiting a race question, however in his commentary.

We don't know what Jesus looked like, but if He was light skinned or dark skinned that has nothing to do with the purpose He was here for and with the outcome of His sacrifice.

Color truly has nothing to do with this.

[MAP2010.wireless]

Kids want toys, nothing but toys.

Cars.
Trucks.
Bikes.
Cards.
Something to wear.

If you are caring they will ask you, thats when you talk to them about Christ. But kids want toys so they can play.

But clearly: I do not like the idea, toys should be toys.

Mark

[lily]

BoogyMan





We don't know what Jesus looked like, but if He was light skinned or dark skinned that has nothing to do with the purpose He was here for and with the outcome of His sacrifice.

We were discussing this on page two. I don't know how you can't know what Jesus looked like and think he was white, when he was born in Bethlehem. I don't know too many Middle Easterners who look like the pictures the Great Masters painted, or the one haning in my church.Â*Â*

[BoogyMan]

BoogyMan
We don't know what Jesus looked like, but if He was light skinned or dark skinned that has nothing to do with the purpose He was here for and with the outcome of His sacrifice.

We were discussing this on page two. I don't know how you can't know what Jesus looked like and think he was white, when he was born in Bethlehem. I don't know too many Middle Easterners who look like the pictures the Great Masters painted, or the one haning in my church.Â*Â*


Wow, I must have missed something. Did I say Jesus was white? No, I said it didn't matter what color His skin was.

You might want to go back and re-read my commentary Lily.

[MAP2010.wireless]

BoogyMan
We don't know what Jesus looked like, but if He was light skinned or dark skinned that has nothing to do with the purpose He was here for and with the outcome of His sacrifice.

We were discussing this on page two. I don't know how you can't know what Jesus looked like and think he was white, when he was born in Bethlehem. I don't know too many Middle Easterners who look like the pictures the Great Masters painted, or the one haning in my church.Â*Â*


Wow, I must have missed something.Â*Â*Did I say Jesus was white?Â*Â*No, I said it didn't matter what color His skin was.

You might want to go back and re-read my commentary Lily.


I hear people say I must think Christ is white all the time, and like you I don't care what color he was. Its what he did for us not what he looked like.

Mark Pendergraft

[underdawg]

I suppose that what I was refering to is that people seem to have a preconceived idea of what Jesus looks like. Every picture that people show of him is some Italian dude with long straight brownish blond hair and a goatee. I was just wondering how a more ethnic doll would go over with people who see him differently than he is portrayed.

I suppose whoever made this doll also put their own thoughts about what they think Jesus might say. Some Christians see Jesus as the suffering street person who hangs out with street people and prostitutes. While others see Jesus as a white dude dressed in robes and coming back to smite the wicked. According to how you view Jesus, the doll might look and sound different depending who made the doll. Even the various denominations see Jesus slightly differently.

As a non Christian, I see Jesus as a man, and not the diety. I envision Jesus as a darker skinned man dressed more like Ghandi. Dirty smelly, but kind and generous. I would envision my doll saying love your enemies. Those without sin cast the first stone. My Jesus doll would be a more tolerant and kind Jesus loving people despite their sins.

The idea of the black Jesus doll just means that it would be different than most other people view Jesus. If it were a liberal Christian that made the doll, would conservatives be comfortable having their children listen to the doll's message?

[MAP2010.wireless]

I suppose that what I was refering to is that people seem to have a preconceived idea of what Jesus looks like. Every picture that people show of him is some Italian dude with long straight brownish blond hair and a goatee. I was just wondering how a more ethnic doll would go over with people who see him differently than he is portrayed.Â*Â*

I suppose whoever made this doll also put their own thoughts about what they think Jesus might say. Some Christians see Jesus as the suffering street person who hangs out with street people and prostitutes. While others see Jesus as a white dude dressed in robes and coming back to smite the wicked. According to how you view Jesus, the doll might look and sound different depending who made the doll. Even the various denominations see Jesus slightly differently.

As a non Christian, I see Jesus as a man, and not the diety. I envision Jesus as a darker skinned man dressed more like Ghandi. Dirty smelly, but kind and generous. I would envision my doll saying love your enemies. Those without sin cast the first stone. My Jesus doll would be a more tolerant and kind Jesus loving people despite their sins.

The idea of the black Jesus doll just means that it would be different than most other people view Jesus. If it were a liberal Christian that made the doll, would conservatives be comfortable having their children listen to the doll's message?


Its hard to have a Jesus Doll because we don't know what he looked like. Jesus Christ was Jewish I would say he looked like a Jew.

So the Doll maybe should look Jewish.

[askates]

regardless im sure mattel already has produced a black talking jesus, he's 4th in the series, inbetween trans-gendered jesus and robot jesus

[JimDandy]

I must say we live in a sad sad world. How can a simple doll be so wrong to give out. I am married to a Minister and our children are NOT forced to go to church . If they do not want to go they dont. As far as the talking Jesus Dolls , They can only hurt you if you close your heart and allow them to.Toys for tots feels its ok to give children GUNS , Knives as well as dolls that pee and poop themselves but a doll that REMINDS children that there is a way to live other then what bad they see in their young lives and there is reasons not to try drugs our worse I feel PARENTS should be offered them for their children. There is much more that is hurting our children as well as ourselves such as some nursary rymes and songs .

[Elrathin]

How can a simple doll be so wrong to give out.


As I said earlier, if it was a doll that said "Being gay is ok", or "All praise Allah", most all Christians would have a shit fit.

I don't personally think Christianity is a message of peace, I think it teaches intolerance and fear.Â*Â*So if you Christians don't want a doll that says "Being gay is ok" then I don't want a doll given out that spreads Fear and Intolerance as Christianity does.

And just to set the record straight, I don't think guns and knives, or dolls that pee and poop, or dolls that push religion or sexual preference are ok to give either.Â*Â*What happened to just an old fashioned non-anatomically correct doll (except for barbies boobs), trucks, etc.?

What is REALLY ironic to me is that young people many hundreds of years ago were forced to become adults very quickly in their lives due to a short life span.Â*Â*Now that we live longer we are reverting back to making sure children are forced to grow up quicker.Â*Â*I just don't understand it.

[Labrocca]

I must say we live in a sad sad world. How can a simple doll be so wrong to give out. I am married to a Minister and our children are NOT forced to go to church . If they do not want to go they dont. As far as the talking Jesus Dolls , They can only hurt you if you close your heart and allow them to.Toys for tots feels its ok to give children GUNS , Knives as well as dolls that pee and poop themselves but a doll that REMINDS children that there is a way to live other then what bad they see in their young lives and there is reasons not to try drugs our worse I feel PARENTS should be offered them for their children. There is much more that is hurting our children as well as ourselves such as some nursary rymes and songs .


Welcome JimDandy. Thanks for your thoughts.

[MAP2010.wireless]

This is what I will say; I was very poor when I was young.
I went without food a lot, when other kids got gifts I did not.
God’s word is Great and nothing is as important to get his word out, but if you give food or if you give toys (Not the Jesus Doll) the kids will think "WOW I was hungry and they feed me" "I was lonely so they gave me love" "I wanted something nice to wear so they gave it to me"

If your Tree is an Apple Tree it should have Apples, so others will see what you have done. Now I'm not saying I do everything I should, I'm saying I should do more.

Thanks

Mark

[Elrathin]

but if you give food or if you give toys (Not the Jesus Doll) the kids will think "WOW I was hungry and they feed me" "I was lonely so they gave me love" "I wanted something nice to wear so they gave it to me"


Finally something I can agree on fully. It doesn't matter if you give, without the religion crap or sexual preference crap, but just as long as you give that matters. Keep all the political and religious stuff out and you can get kids to believe in humanity again. That is the important thing IMO.

[MAP2010.wireless]

but if you give food or if you give toys (Not the Jesus Doll) the kids will think "WOW I was hungry and they feed me" "I was lonely so they gave me love" "I wanted something nice to wear so they gave it to me"


Finally something I can agree on fully.Â*Â*It doesn't matter if you give, without the religion crap or sexual preference crap, but just as long as you give that matters.Â*Â*Keep all the political and religious stuff out and you can get kids to believe in humanity again.Â*Â*That is the important thing IMO.


Yes without humanity nothing matters.
Helping others is the point.


http://web1.one.org/images/spotlight_whiteband.jpg

[lily]

Toys for tots feels its ok to give children GUNS , Knives as well as dolls that pee and poop themselves but a doll that REMINDS children that there is a way to live other then what bad they see in their young lives and there is reasons not to try drugs our worse I feel PARENTS should be offered them for their children. There is much more that is hurting our children as well as ourselves such as some nursary rymes and songs .

Well........actually Jim, no you can't give guns or knives, toy or otherwise. In fact they will not accept any toys with a military theme. I have no cluse where you would find a doll that defecates or why you would want to give one to a child, but I don't see anything wrong with a good old fashioned Betsy Wetsy doll either.