Toys for Tots Agrees to Take Talking Jesus Dolls

Initial Reluctance Set Off Furor from Religious Groups

November 16, 2006
After public protests, the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has reversed its decision and agreed to accept the donation of talking Jesus dolls from a Los Angeles toymaker.

"The talking Jesus doll issue has been resolved," the Marine organization announced on its Web site. "Toys for Tots has found appropriate places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to handle this transaction."

"We are delighted that the Marines have changed their policy to protect freedom of choice and freedom of religion," said Whitehead, president of The Rutherford Institute. "It's good that needy children will get a chance to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas."

Public statements by representatives of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation had suggested that their initial refusal of the Jesus dolls was motivated by a concern that the dolls might offend Jewish or Muslim recipients. The program distributed 18 million stuffed animals, games, toy trucks and other gifts to children based on financial need in 2005.

The controversy began when Toys for Tots turned down an offer by one2believe to donate 4,000 Jesus dolls, reportedly because program officials said they didn't know anything about the religious affiliations of the children who receive its gifts and didn't want to risk offending a Jewish or Muslim family by sending them a talking Jesus doll.

The foot-tall, battery-powered, Bible-quoting Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co.

In his letter, Whitehead noted that Toys for Tots' materials state that the gifts are unwrapped so any child or parent who does not want to receive the doll need only decline that gift and receive something else.

In urging Toys for Tots to accept the offer of the donated dolls, Whitehead noted that standing by their refusal would send a sinister message that gifts with religious themes or messages are not suitable or are considered second-class by a prominent charity that is intimately associated with the United States government.

In a letter to the president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Whitehead said the Foundation's rejection of the donated dolls appears to contradict Marine Toys for Tots' mission of ensuring that needy children are able to experience the joy of Christmas through donated gifts and seems to indicate a desire on the part of the Foundation to suppress the religious message that is the very foundation of the Christmas season.

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