Category: News and Views
Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Reserves drive to provide
Christmas goodies for poor children, has rejected a
donation of 4,000 Talking Jesus dolls.
Retired Maj. Bill Grein, vice president of Toys for Tots,
told the Los Angeles Daily News that the group decided to
turn down the offer from One2Believe because the group
has no system to match toys with families from the
appropriate religious group. Non-Christian families might
not be happy to get Jesus dolls that quote scripture.
"I don't understand why they can't accept a toy that
promotes good values," said Michael La Roe, who runs
the One2believe division of Beverly Hills Teddy Bear,
a toy company based in Valencia, Calif. "I just think
that it shouldn't be that big of a deal."
One2Believe's Messengers of Faith line also includes the
Virgin Mary, Moses, David and Esther.
What do you think of Toys for Tots rejecting Jesus dolls?
I think it makes sense...I mean what happends if a Jewish child gets the toy? Although on the other hand, it would probably help children of other faiths understand about christianity.
Good for them, many people are of different faith, and somehave none. while any gift should be greatfully received, I can understand how some people would be offended to receive something simbolising something they just don't believe. I personally would be offended by a religious toy as I'm not christian, and would feel that such a gift was someone trying to tell me that their faith is the right one, and this is given to try and make you follow them.
I agree with Kevin. It's not fair to expect say, muslim children to accept a Christian toy, when they're not Christian.
I am completely in agreement with toys for tots and Blackbird on this one.
I think it was really insensitive of the manufacturer to either forget about the kids of other faiths, or if he remembered them, hoped to transform them into members of his faith.
Thanks.
Bob
I agree, and then some. This is a charity drive, and a charity drive by the US military at that. It's not the place for religious symbols. These are donations, given by a supposedly religiously neutral institution, I don't think there should be strings attached.
And on a slightly unrelated note, is it just me, or is the idea of a talking Jesus doll kinda creepy? God is watching you, kids!
yes, i agree with this as well.
the idea of talking Jesus dolls is creepy the stance taken by the charity was completely correct in my view.
Yeah, I actually agree with everyone else here. If the Toys For Tots program is a neutral one, they shouldn't have to accept the Jesus dolls, since they are promoting a religion and the children are of all beliefs. I do think though that if the organization really wants to donate the dolls, the people should take them themselves to children, or better yet, hold a low-cost or free of charge Christmas party, which of course (sometime before the day of the party), they will include that it is about God/Jesus, and then the families will decide for themselves whether or not they want to attend it.
Actually, I just thought about it. If they took the dolls themselves, they have have a pretty high chance that hardly anyone will respond to them. They might do it anyway, but it is not a good idea, in the organization's case.
I am in agreement with Kevin on this one.
It's not about converting people to their religion, it's about xmas, and about giving toys and gifts to each other. Sure, some can argue with me that you are giving someone the gift of god, but really the only one who can give the gift of god is god, and you have to be willing to believe in him as well. If someone doesn't, then, it's not worth the effort. If people dont' want to believe, then they won't , this is a charity drive, not a ministry.
Isn't christmas a christian holiday, a christian celebration? Of course this company is going to make christian toys. I don't see why these dolls would be rejected, I mean, the report says that the doll quotes scripture but it doesn't say which verses specifically. All religions have similar values and I don't think this doll would be quoting anything that should be of concern to parents, unless the doll quotes that famous verse "No one can come to the father but through me." Everybody knows about Jesus anyway.
Everyone may know about Jesus, but that doesn't mean those dolls should be donated to Toys for Tots, and given to kids who might not even be Christian. The idea of a Jesus doll is a bit creepy.