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  • TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 2006 11:30 PM

Jesus to be Lonely on Christmas

Submitted by Lycoris

Edited by FearTheReaper

Tags: jesus, charity, toys, christianity

Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is an organization which distributes toys to needy children at Christmas. The charity collects toys from October to December 22nd every year, as well as cash donations to purchase toys. Campaigns are organized locally and the last two years have been the most successful in the charity's history. New toys are donated by the public, as well as by toy manufacturers, but one toy-maker found its donation unwelcome.

A talking Jesus doll has been turned down by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots program.

A Los Angeles company offered to donate 4,000 of the 1 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.


Fair enough, I suppose. The toys are definitely intended for a religious market and in this increasingly multi-cultural society, we must be careful to be sensitive towards others. Bill Grein, vice president the foundation, put it this way:

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."


Wise words, Bill. There's just one little problem with your politically correct position: Why would a Jewish or Muslim family be getting Christmas gifts? Perhaps I'm taking the statement too literally, as I've never been Christian myself, yet I celebrate Christmas every year. My Christmas might concentrate more on Santa and the Grinch than God or Jesus, but it's still Christmas. The foundation's website states clearly that the gifts are intended as Christmas gifts, not the generic Holiday Season that is spoken of around the water cooler at the office.

GOAL: The primary goal of the Foundation is the same as that of the overall Toys for Tots program: i.e. - to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the Foundation are the same as those of the overall Toys for Tots program: i.e. - to help needy children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable natural resources - our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to improving communities in the future.


I'm all for being aware of and sensitive to the cultures and religions in my community, but this situation does seem a little preposterous. On the one hand, Christians should be allowed to celebrate their holiday in the way they see fit. On the other hand, a government organization cannot promote one faith over another, despite all evidence to the contrary over the last few years. It's an interesting dilemma.

Personally, I'm asking Santa for a toy Cthulhu for Christmas this year.

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Comments
RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

I'm lost
January 2006

NOV 15, 2006 12:01 AM

Is it just me or does that doll look like Will Ferrell?

Holden_Caulfield

Holden_Caulfield

Ann Arbor, MI
April 2004

NOV 15, 2006 12:15 AM

Jesus looks top heavy. . .is his head too big for his body?!?

RudieCantFail

RudieCantFail

I'm lost
January 2006

NOV 15, 2006 12:33 AM

This company needs to come out with a Jesus action figure for little boys. After all, they wouldn't want to convert the heathens only to go and have them catch teh ghey by playing with dolls.

GI Jesus:

Crucify this, mutha fuckas!!!

abracadabra

abracadabra

Seattle, WA
April 2004

NOV 15, 2006 12:35 AM

I vote for Cthulhu..why choose the lesser evil ?

quagmirething

quagmirething

I'm lost
June 2005

NOV 15, 2006 12:36 AM

You might be able to get a Muslim friendly version, he is their number 2 prophet. Lets face it though, handing out any religious toys would be a mine field. It's flirting with idolatry for a start.

4,000 plush Cthulhu on the other hand would be a great idea. Owners of Cthulhu idols are granted the honor of being devoured first when the Great Old One rises (this special feature is not guaranteed and no refund will be available should you in fact experience the whole of the cataclysm).

burtlo

burtlo

Denver, CO
May 2004

NOV 15, 2006 12:40 AM

RudieCantFail said:
Is it just me or does that doll look like Will Ferrell?



I get a Val Kilmer look feeling from him.

Waldo_Jeffers

Waldo_Jeffers

United Kingdom
OLD SKOOL

NOV 15, 2006 12:43 AM

Lycoris said: There's just one little problem with your politically correct position: Why would a Jewish or Muslim family be getting Christmas gifts?



Bwahahahahah!!!! biggrin

Lycoris saidtongueersonally, I'm asking Santa for a toy Cthulhu for Christmas this year.



Check out this amusing parody of Chick Tracts for seme Cthulhu fun!!

PS Santa Cthulhu looks so cute and cuddly its hard to imagine him rising up and eating anyone.

Gringo

Gringo

Spokane, WA
May 2006

NOV 15, 2006 12:43 AM

I totally dig the Jesus Kung Foo grip but I'm sure they'll totally make you wait until next year for the Jesus Dream Crucifix. Bastards.

Snottlebocket

Snottlebocket

Netherlands
March 2004

NOV 15, 2006 12:43 AM

meh, they might not celebrate christmas but when there's free stuff being handed out for christmas or sinterklaas (similar dutch holiday in december) muslim people are generally up front and very aggresive in making sure they get their share.

Ascanius

Ascanius

USA
October 2006

NOV 15, 2006 02:21 AM

This reminds me of all the "holiday" concerts we used to have in elementary school. The ones where we'd sing half a dozen christmas carols, one Channukah song and then maybe something that was supposed to be "interfaith" (like 'God is watching us' with the words changed to 'are we watching out.') Even as a kid I found that shit patronizing- although back then I probably would have pronounced it PAYtronize. If you're going to celebrate christmas go for it. That's your perogative. But don't try to sell it as anything other than Christian. EL SUICIDO LOCO EL SUICIDO LOCO

Cash

Cash

USA
OLD SKOOL

NOV 15, 2006 03:12 AM

SomeKid said:
If you're going to celebrate christmas go for it. That's your perogative. But don't try to sell it as anything other than Christian.




Are you kidding me? Do you have any idea how many non-Christians celebrate Christmas?

In today's society, the almighty dollar factors into the holiday just as much as, if not more than, the Almighty.

Ascanius

Ascanius

USA
October 2006

NOV 15, 2006 03:36 AM

Man, you can't have Christmas without the Christ. IT"S THE BIRTH OF JESUS. So tell me, how many non-Christians celebrate Christmas? And then tell me how a song celebrating the nativity isn't really Christian. I want to hear this.

wildswan

wildswan

I'm lost
June 2006

NOV 15, 2006 04:09 AM


TheGringo said: I totally dig the Jesus Kung Foo grip...



Get outta my head!

ardour

ardour

Canada
March 2006

NOV 15, 2006 04:12 AM

This "Holiday Season" you speak of is something I've only ever seen on TV. Christmas is ALSO a secular holiday, and I've never really noticed anyone trying to skirt around it to be PC. Maybe it's just where I live.

If I got this toy as a kid, though, I'd probably be pretty disapointed, and feel really creeped out. The dude kind of scared me a bit as a child.

wildswan

wildswan

I'm lost
June 2006

NOV 15, 2006 04:30 AM

SomeKid said:
Man, you can't have Christmas without the Christ. IT"S THE BIRTH OF JESUS. So tell me, how many non-Christians celebrate Christmas? And then tell me how a song celebrating the nativity isn't really Christian. I want to hear this.



Erm, I was raised in an atheist household and we "celebrated" Christmas. We were also seriously into caroling. To this day God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen brings tears to my eyes. I also never miss the 1951 version of A Chrismas Carol with Alastair Sim.

I suppose that it is possible to enjoy some aspects of the holiday without taking it seriously.

It's a bit like enjoying Greek mythology.

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