If you plan to make a donation to the Marine Reserves’ annual Toys for Tots program, you can cross the “Talking Jesus Doll” off your gift giving list. The charity has decided against accepting the doll because of its religious nature.
The decision comes after a suburban Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses. The toy company planned to make the donation so the dolls could be distributed by the Marines to needy children this holiday season. The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by the California company–one2believe–a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on Biblical figures.
But, earlier this week the toy company told local news reporters that the Marines refused the offer. A spokesperson for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation provided this explanation:
“Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and we don’t know anything about their background, their religious affiliations. As a government entity, Marines don’t profess one religion over another. We can’t take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family.”
Even so, a spokesperson for the toy company said the charity’s decision left him surprised and disappointed.
“The idea was for them to be three-dimensional teaching tools for kids,” an executive with the toy company said. “I believe as a churchgoing person, anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible.”
According to the company’s website, 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.”
The “Talking Jesus Doll” retails for $20. So, in essence, the Marines declined an $80,000 donation. But, the “government entity” says it doesn’t regret doing so. A Marines’ spokesperson says he questioned whether children would welcome a gift designed for religious instruction. “Kids want a gift for the holiday season that is fun,” he said.
Many say that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and the Marines were way off base for declining the offer. Others say the Marines made the right thing. Where do you stand on the issue? Do you think that the Marines should have accepted the donation? Or, did they make the right decision in declining it?