The Toys for Tots program that is run by the US Marines is pretty straightforward in its mission: collect new toys and distribute them to needy kids during the holiday season. Did you get that? The holiday season. Not Christmas (even though it’s the most popular holiday), not Chanukah, not Ramadan (if it happens to drift into December), not Kwanzaa (which really isn’t a holiday in a religious sense), and not even Festivus. Rather, Toys for Tots does not align themselves with any religious or cultural tradition. They just hand out toys and try and make kids feel a little better about this time of year when hyper-consumerism can quickly make them feel horrible because their parents don’t have a small fortune to spend on crap that will be thrown out by Spring.
I bring this up because the Toy for Tots program recently turned down a rather large toy donation from a Christian manufacturer of teaching tools for true believers who call themselves “one2believeâ„¢.” These people make dolls that recite passages from the Christian Bible, and they want to put them into the hands of poor children because, it seems, they think these kids will enjoy playing with a toy that looks like GI Joe Jesus with Kung Fu Grip. I wasn’t exactly sure how Kung Fu Grip Jesus would trump more ordinary toys, but then I read what Michael La Roe (who heads up development for the dolls) said about why this doll is better gift:”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.”
Well, I’m not religious, and I don’t really push my non-religious views on people because I think that everyone can benefit from secular views. But, I have to wonder how many children would truly be delighted by a doll/action figure that says things like: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” No disrespect to those who are true believers, but come on! Do you think the creators of this doll could have had a passage from the Bible that was, um, less sexually charged?
I’m just sayin’…
–PK
Ml
November 15, 2006 at 6:47 amUm…I’m not religious and I have a low tolerance for crap like this. Blech!
Py Korry
November 15, 2006 at 7:15 amYou have to see the demonstration video on their site. That will really make you want to hurl.
jefito
November 15, 2006 at 7:45 amWho needs Jesus dolls when you have Hall & Oates as your seasonal spokesmen?
Beenzzz (Bean)
November 15, 2006 at 7:52 amI was just watching something on CNN this morning about this. They want to know why the marine core wont use their little dolls. Well……..how about I send a talking Siva or Vishnu to a non-Hindu family. How do you think they would feel? UGH! Self-righteous bastards!
Shelliza
November 15, 2006 at 8:02 amIt just pisses me off when these religious “nuts” try to impose their beliefs onto others. My hubby and I did the Harley Davidson’s Toy for Tots Ride, two years ago, here in Ft. Lauderdale. It definitely supports a good cause.
Py Korry
November 15, 2006 at 8:04 amJefito: Yes, but do H&O have dolls with Kung Fu Grip?
And you nailed it Beenzzz!
Gina
November 15, 2006 at 8:30 amI saw this on the news last night, they sure are gettting a lot of free publicity for these dolls.
Personally, I find them a bit dubious. Nothing like making a buck or two off the Lord, eh?
Dot
November 15, 2006 at 9:10 amJesus shakes his head.
Py Korry
November 15, 2006 at 9:15 amFrom \”Life of Brian\”
GREGORY: What was that?
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JESUS: …for their possession. How blest are those…
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MR. CHEEKY: I don\’t know. I was too busy talking to Big Nose.
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JESUS: …who hunger and thirst to see…
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MAN #1: I think it was \’Blessed are the cheesemakers.\’
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JESUS: …right prevail.
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MRS. GREGORY: Ahh, what\’s so special about the cheesemakers?
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GREGORY: Well, obviously, this is not meant to be taken literally. It refers to any manufacturers of dairy products.
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Cherry
November 15, 2006 at 10:50 amI get why they feel that their donation is a wonderful gift, but I don’t get why they don’t understand why it is not accepted….or is it just a publicity stunt? I admit I went to their site and clicked around a bit.
MsMamma
November 15, 2006 at 11:59 amI heard about this during my insomnia early this am. WHAT a line, you’re right, it’s FLAMIN’ like a spicy Cheeto!
lalunas
November 15, 2006 at 12:48 pmIs Mattel going to put out a Barbie Mary riding a donkey?
Maya's Granny
November 15, 2006 at 12:55 pmLalunas — I love the idea of a Barbie Mary! How utterly in line with the Kung Fu Jesus.
O’Reilly is on about the War on Christmas already this year. These people are so UGH.
Py Korry
November 15, 2006 at 2:49 pmIsn’t this the 3rd year for Fox’s “War on Xmas” campaign?