LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- 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. (Watch to see and hear the Bible-quoting dolls -- 1:52)
But the charity balked because of the dolls' religious nature.
Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill Grein, vice president of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in Quantico, Virginia.
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."
Michael La Roe, director of business development for both companies, said the charity's decision left him "surprised and disappointed."
"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."
According to the company's Web site, 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." It has a $20 retail value.
Grein questioned whether children would welcome a gift designed for religious instruction.
"Kids want a gift for the holiday season that is fun," he said.
The program distributed 18 million stuffed animals, games, toy trucks and other gifts to children in 2005.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/11/14/toy.jesus.ap/index.html

hmm, instead of making this into a big deal maybe they should donate those through a non-government toys for tots program, a church sponsored one perhaps?

Update: Toys for Tots will now accept talking Jesus dolls

Well I think that it's pretty bad when you can't give the gift of Jesus on his birthday! Toys for tots only gives gifts at christmas ... which is a christain holiday - and what about all the christain kids who would enjoy the toys? They should have accepted the gifts and let the parents decide wheather or not to throw them away. The only reason they are accepting the toys now is because of bad press especailly in the christain community. Personally I think that they'll just throw the dolls away.

Take heart, Jenn, they wouldn't dare throw them away now, not with the press crawling all over this story.

Jenn how would you feel if you had a little girl and I while in uniform, handed her a Buddha doll... It would be awful, you'd have to explain and educate your child that there were other beliefs, cultures, and religions than your own.
I think it's better that people take preemptive politically correct actions and remove these things from society so we can remained sheltered & uncultured but protected...
That has got to be one cool toy though, does it walk on water? I'm sold on it if it turns water into wine.
Just in case anyone is confused there was a little bit of sarcasm

Oh no, they've declared War On Christmas!!!!!!!!! C'mon people, they should call it "Giftmas". I mean the fact that you are even arguing about this is not what Christ would have even wanted. Jesus Christ set forth a new covenant which in which he wanted love and respect for all...Not just Christians. If you really read the Scriptures, He also wanted seperation of church and state and the Marine reserve is an entity of the state...Oh yeah those guys who founded this great nation advocated the seperation of church and state too! Go figure... Christ wants you to follow in his example. In the case of making a big deal about the Jesus dolls, can you imagine Jesus arguing about it? I cannot. Stop pushing Christianity down people's throats or you will become exactly what we fight against in other parts of the world...A THEOCRACY!

ps-I think the Christian Right bullied the Marines into accepting them. If anything the Marines should give them all to a Christian church organization just like the original donors should have...Oh yeah and by the way there are over 16,000,000 poor people in the US, more than 60% of those are children...I don't imagine all of those are Christian kids...

If they didn't want the Jesus doll, they could always just regift it?
I don't know what the big deal is?

LOL wish I could find the clip from Old School where, Will Ferrell gives a kid a bread maker for his birthday.

It's my experience the Marines aren't bullied into anything, but I'm sure the commander felt it easier to accept the dolls than continue to battle the crusaders...
Getting a Jesus doll is hardly pushing Christianity down someones throat. I do however get frustrated when I see how many decisions are made based on religion when it comes to passing laws for all citizens.
Next year when Korans, Buddha trinkets, Dan Brown dolls and Menorahs are passed out I hope everyone will be as understanding.

It is all based on democracy and as long as majority wins that's how it will stay.
Still the greatest nation on earth

I'm gonna give Korans for Giftmas to everybody!!! Good idea.

don't forget festivus, for the restofus