Toys for Tots Rejects Jesus Doll
Pastor Dale Morgan
Toys for Tots Rejects Jesus Doll*
Tuesday November 14, 2006 9:16 PM
LOS ANGELES (AP) - 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.