Toys For Tots Turns Down Jesus Doll

[RC_]

[img]http://static.flickr.com/66/178712382_1a62fa335b.jpg[/img]

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='toledo_jesus' post='1120085' date='Nov 14 2006, 06:58 PM']
I think what nobody wanted to say was that those dolls sound like a really lame gift.
[/quote]

[KnightofChrist]

So I guess the people over at TFT are only going to take unisex toys now, to avoid giving boys toys to girls and girls toys to boys. Wouldnt want to offend a family with all boys or one with all girls now would we.

Might as well while their at it, ban black and white dolls. Would not want to offend a white family by giving their daughter a black barbie, or a black family a white barbie.

Sounds pretty dang stupid doesnt it, they wouldnt really be using their God given reason if they did that now would they.

But when its that Christian God "Jesus" its just fine to ban that, its not bigotry is equality. Telling a Marine that when he or she puts on the uniform he or she must rip out their faith to avoid professing "one religion over another" is a good and just thing.

Liberalism at its finest!

[Sojourner]

[img]http://www.messengersoffaith.net/images/Jesus1b.jpg[/img]

That's what the doll in this case actually looks like.

As I said in the thread I started on this topic earlier today, I think the TFT people made the right decision, given the nature of TFT. There are many organizations that would be a better fit for this company to donate to, as has already been mentioned.

But aside from that, I find myself a little uncomfortable with a Jesus doll in general ... and, I suppose, with toys based on biblical themes in general. Maybe I'm being too much of a stickler, but it just seems that it's important that we remember that the people whose stories are in the Bible are more than just characters -- they were real people who lived and loved and demonstrated faith in God and so on. It seems ... belittling to turn them into action figures, even Bible-verse spouting action figures.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120194' date='Nov 14 2006, 06:46 PM']
So I guess the people over at TFT are only going to take unisex toys now, to avoid giving boys toys to girls and girls toys to boys. Wouldnt want to offend a family with all boys or one with all girls now would we.

Might as well while their at it, ban black and white dolls. Would not want to offend a white family by giving their daughter a black barbie, or a black family a white barbie.

Sounds pretty dang stupid doesnt it, they wouldnt really be using their God given reason if they did that now would they.

But when its that Christian God "Jesus" its just fine to ban that, its not bigotry is equality. Telling a Marine that when he or she puts on the uniform he or she must rip out their faith to avoid professing "one religion over another" is a good and just thing.

Liberalism at its finest!
[/quote]

Right. That's exactly what it is. Liberalism. Cuz those Marines are all so liberal.

[quote name='toledo_jesus' post='1120085' date='Nov 14 2006, 04:58 PM']
I think what nobody wanted to say was that those dolls sound like a really lame gift.
[/quote]
Yeah I don't think they're all that great myself. It seems kinda demeaning to reduce Jesus to being an action figure.

[homeschoolmom]

I don't think it's an action figure, per se. I mean, David and Goliath would be good action figures. I think this is a soft, cuddly Jesus doll.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120246' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:39 PM']
Right. That's exactly what it is. Liberalism. Cuz those Marines are all so liberal.[/quote]

Is this a debate or pointless comment time? The actions of TFT to banned a Jesus doll, just because it is a Jesus doll is Liberalism, the marines are being forced to liberalism.

[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120246' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:39 PM']
Yeah I don't think they're all that great myself. It seems kinda demeaning to reduce Jesus to being an action figure.
[/quote]


Is it "demeaning" to reduce Jesus to a statue? No. [b]What about these dolls is demeaning?[/b]

[suuran]

I can't argue with this. Catholic parents: Would you really want your kid being given a Mohammed or Buddha doll, particularly a talking one? I thought not. I think this particularly toy is inappropriate for the charity in question.

[Socrates]

While I disagree with Sojourner's general tendency to be against anything at all religious in public, I don't have really strong feelings on this. Mostly because a "talking Jesus doll" seems awfully tacky imho! And it seems such a toy could all too easily be used disrespectfully by any kids who are not devout Christians. (Though no doubt some Christians would find such a toy offensive, particularly those fundies who are strict with their interpretation of the "no graven images" thing.)

However, this looks to me like just more p.c. secularism. (When is it the place of TFT to declare which toys are and aren't fun? And most toys risk going to kids who will not like them anyway.)

[quote name='Jalazar' post='1120281' date='Nov 14 2006, 10:09 PM']
I can't argue with this. Catholic parents: Would you really want your kid being given a Mohammed or Buddha doll, particularly a talking one? I thought not. I think this particularly toy is inappropriate for the charity in question.
[/quote]
A devout Muslim would never make a "talking Mohammed doll" obviously. And personally, I would find a talking Buddha doll freakin' hilarious, but that's just me. I'm weird like that.

And ignoring the whole doll thing for a second, I often feel that Christians now are way too afraid to show or proclaim the Faith to others, for fear of offending others. It's like we've all been brainwashed by the whole multicultural thing.

Edited November 15, 2006 by Socrates

[Azriel]

You know, I'm one of the one's that thinks its just a really bad gift.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120264' date='Nov 14 2006, 07:56 PM']
Is this a debate or pointless comment time? The actions of TFT to banned a Jesus doll, just because it is a Jesus doll is Liberalism, the marines are being forced to liberalism.
[/quote]
You don't know many Marines, do you.

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120264' date='Nov 14 2006, 07:56 PM']
Is it "demeaning" to reduce Jesus to a statue? No. [b]What about these dolls is demeaning?[/b]
[/quote]
You're seriously asking me why it's demeaning to make a toy version of the Son of God?

Maybe you're right ... maybe EVERY kid should be taking their Jesus doll to bed with them at night.

[homeschoolmom]

[quote name='Jalazar' post='1120281' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:09 PM']
I can't argue with this. Catholic parents: Would you really want your kid being given a Mohammed or Buddha doll, particularly a talking one? I thought not. I think this particularly toy is inappropriate for the charity in question.
[/quote]
If I were celebrating a Muslim holiday or a Buddhist holiday, I wouldn't be too surprised...

I was unaware that Muslim and Buddhist families celebrated Christmas.

btw, for the record, I just think it's a lame gift-- but not inappropriate for the holiday

[Romans1513]

[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120229' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:25 PM']
But aside from that, I find myself a little uncomfortable with a Jesus doll in general ... [/quote]

Finally, I was beginning to think no one else thought this!

I don't mind biblical dolls so much... like, if they make a Moses thats ok. But Jesus is God, we have to be a little more careful with that. I mean, it kind of "belittles" Him, as Sojourner said. And what about when the kid doesn't want the doll anymore, I don't want to think of it being thrown in the garbage!

[Romans1513]

I replied to this post in open mic, didn't realize it was over here too...

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120264' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:56 PM']
Is this a debate or pointless comment time? The actions of TFT to banned a Jesus doll, just because it is a Jesus doll is Liberalism, the marines are being forced to liberalism.
Is it "demeaning" to reduce Jesus to a statue? No. [b]What about these dolls is demeaning?[/b]
[/quote]

Do you show respect for the statue? yes. Do you play with it, pull a string on its back (or whatever) to make it talk, let a 5-year-old toss it around, throw it in the garbage when you grow out of it? no.

Thats what would happen to these dolls. They're dolls. Way different than statues. I don't think its right to make Jesus into a doll.

[toledo_jesus]

[quote name='Azriel' post='1120299' date='Nov 15 2006, 12:25 AM']
You know, I'm one of the one's that thinks its just a really bad gift.
[/quote]
YES! Right on.

In all seriousness, I find the doll to be entirely too familiar, and slightly vulgar. What does one even do with it? Pull the string? Act out the Gospels? ugh. Can you imagine the games kids would play? The kid with the Jesus doll would always win in an action figure battle.

A statue is dignified, serves a purpose. you don't play with a statue of Jesus.

[suuran]

I think plenty of Muslim/Buddhist/Jew families might sign up for a Christmas toy drive, if they were in desperate straits....

And I gotta agree that Jesus dolls are kinda tacky. He's going to be sparring with the Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or perhaps attending tea parties, rather than preaching the good news.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='homeschoolmom' post='1120371' date='Nov 14 2006, 09:36 PM']
If I were celebrating a Muslim holiday or a Buddhist holiday, I wouldn't be too surprised...

I was unaware that Muslim and Buddhist families celebrated Christmas.

btw, for the record, I just think it's a lame gift-- but not inappropriate for the holiday
[/quote]
Heck, I know Jews who celebrate Easter ... exchange baskets, have egg hunts, the works. Christmas has likewise taken on secular components. While we of course celebrate the birth of Christ at Christmas, plenty of people participate in the cultural celebration without regard to its origins.

[quote name='Romans1513' post='1120448' date='Nov 14 2006, 10:54 PM']
I replied to this post in open mic, didn't realize it was over here too...
Do you show respect for the statue? yes. Do you play with it, pull a string on its back (or whatever) to make it talk, let a 5-year-old toss it around, throw it in the garbage when you grow out of it? no.

Thats what would happen to these dolls. They're dolls. Way different than statues. I don't think its right to make Jesus into a doll.
[/quote]
Thank you.


[quote name='toledo_jesus' post='1120450' date='Nov 14 2006, 10:55 PM']
YES! Right on.

In all seriousness, I find the doll to be entirely too familiar, and slightly vulgar. What does one even do with it? Pull the string? Act out the Gospels? ugh. Can you imagine the games kids would play? The kid with the Jesus doll would always win in an action figure battle.

A statue is dignified, serves a purpose. you don't play with a statue of Jesus.
[/quote]
Thank you.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Socrates' post='1120287' date='Nov 14 2006, 08:22 PM']
While I disagree with Sojourner's general tendency to be against anything at all religious in public ...
[/quote]
I am really going to try to respond to this charitably.

I don't know why you felt compelled to make this statement. I don't believe I have ever stated that I am "against anything at all religious in public" or even words to that effect. If you believe I have made such assertions, then by all means, prove me wrong. If you cannot find such a statement, then please retract this, and I would appreciate it if you would refrain from speaking for me in the future.

[KnightofChrist]

[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120369' date='Nov 14 2006, 11:33 PM']
You don't know many Marines, do you.[/quote]

Yet another pointless comment on your part.

[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120369' date='Nov 14 2006, 11:33 PM']
You're seriously asking me why it's demeaning to make a toy version of the Son of God? [/quote]


LOL man LOL, if its demeaning to make a toy of Christ its just as demeaning for the Church to make a statue of Christ. Which by the way is not Christ just a symbol of, both the toy and statue.
[quote name='Sojourner' post='1120369' date='Nov 14 2006, 11:33 PM']
Maybe you're right ... maybe EVERY kid should be taking their Jesus doll to bed with them at night.
[/quote]


Dude the doll of Christ is just a symbol, theres nothing wrong with giving a kid a symbol of Jesus, better than those satanic brat dolls. Should we only give our children secular dolls? I mean how far do we take this, do we rip the Jesus doll out of little bobbys or little sussy's hands, after all cant allow the kid to have a "demeaning" doll.

And I would like to buy one these for my little nephew, he loves Jesus. You know he's one of the few kids left that are happy to get anything, isn't one of those snotty little brats that thinks that anything to do with Jesus is lame and stupid.

As adults its normal to think kids toys are corny and silly, after all there [color="#FF0000"]made for children[/color].

TFT had no right to ban a symbol of Jesus however lame and corny.

Edited November 15, 2006 by KnightofChrist

[Sojourner]

[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120480' date='Nov 15 2006, 12:10 AM']
Yet another pointless comment on your part.
[/quote]
I'll just refrain from comment on that one.


[quote name='KnightofChrist' post='1120480' date='Nov 15 2006, 12:10 AM']
LOL man LOL, if its demeaning to make a toy of Christ its just as demeaning for the Church to make a statue of Christ. Which by the way is not Christ just a symbol of, both the toy and statue.
Dude the doll of Christ is just a symbol, theres nothing wrong with giving a kid a symbol of Jesus, better than those satanic brat dolls. Should we only give our children secular dolls? I mean how far do we take this, do we rip the Jesus doll out of little bobbys or little sussy's hands, after all cant allow the kid to have a "demeaning" doll.

And I would like to buy one these for my little nephew, he loves Jesus. You know he's one of the few kids left that are happy to get anything, isn't one of those snotty little brats that thinks that anything to do with Jesus is lame and stupid.

As adults its normal to think kids toys are corny and silly, after all there [color="#FF0000"]made for children[/color].

TFT had no right to ban a symbol of Jesus however lame and corny.
[/quote]
A toy and a statue are completely different representations of Christ.

And yeah, my kids likely won't be playing with Action Figure Jesus because I don't want them growing up without a proper respect and reverence for Christ. Which, as a person who purports to be a Knight of Christ I would hope you would have.