patriotsblade
10-10-2007, 05:28 PM
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1010jesusdoll.html
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/pics/breaking/1010jesusdoll.jpg
If Jesus walked the land today, would he cast out of Wal-Mart an 11.25-inch doll molded in plastic in his image? Or would he smile and see the toy, made in China for a California distributor, as another way of spreading the Gospel?
The doll, on sale at more than 400 Wal-Marts nationally, quotes Scriptures and comes with a booklet giving parents tips on how to shape a child's faith.
Its broad retail sale is a mass-merchandising test of whether religious-themed toys can catch fire with consumers in a universe long dominated by secular mega-hits from Hot Wheels to Xbox.
David Socha, founder of Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company, which markets the talking Jesus through a division dubbed one2believe and based in Valencia, Calif., said one reason his company created the Jesus figure and other biblical dolls was to fight back against dolls that "look and dress" promiscuously.
Walking the line between respect and sacrilege can be tough. Some say the new Jesus doll, advertised for children 3 and up, trivializes religion and verges on being sacrilegious. Some toy analysts and child-development specialists aren't sure it works as a plaything.
Bettye Thompson, a Methodist from White House, Tenn., says the doll, whose box says "Tales of Glory: Jesus, God's Son," and, "I talk, try me" - goes too far. "A graven image that some organization is making money (from) ... it just makes my heart sick," she said.
"On some level, it's a little bit of a stretch," said Chris Byrne, an independent toy analyst in New York. "Are kids really going to play Wedding at Cana?" (That's when Jesus turned water into wine.)
One child-development specialist wonders whether the Jesus doll talks too long. The three Bible verses the doll recites (Mark 12:30, Mark 12:31 and John 3:16) last 11 seconds or less, which seems brief enough. But the doll's taped recitation of how Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish runs 59 seconds.
"That's just too much for a young child to listen to," said Kathleen Burriss, professor of early childhood development at Middle Tennessee State University.
Others say the doll is worthwhile, especially if parents guide young children or join them in play.
Joyce Middleton, children's pastor at nondenominational Christ Church in Nashville, Tenn., said the doll is a "nice teaching tool" that could stimulate a child's interest in the Bible.
"My child can use Barbie and Ken and pretend they are going to the beach or walking the dog," Middleton said. "Or they can have biblical characters and pretend they are feeding 5,000 and walking over water,"
One2believe started selling its line of biblical dolls directly to church groups and via the Internet more than two years ago. In August, Wal-Mart started putting the dolls in some of its stores in 21 states, mostly in the Sun Belt. Tennessee, Texas and Florida account for 128 of the 400-plus chosen locales.
The Jesus doll also is sold online by Target and at www.one2believe.com. One2believe distributes other religious dolls, including Noah, Moses and Mary.
It's unclear how big a seller the Jesus doll might be. One2believe declined to reveal sales figures.
The Association for Christian Retail said faith-based merchandise accounted for $4.6 billion in annual sales last year - a small percentage of the $4.7 trillion in total U.S. retail sales.
I wonder how long before some smart-assed tech saavy teenager 'cracks' this thing?
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/pics/breaking/1010jesusdoll.jpg
If Jesus walked the land today, would he cast out of Wal-Mart an 11.25-inch doll molded in plastic in his image? Or would he smile and see the toy, made in China for a California distributor, as another way of spreading the Gospel?
The doll, on sale at more than 400 Wal-Marts nationally, quotes Scriptures and comes with a booklet giving parents tips on how to shape a child's faith.
Its broad retail sale is a mass-merchandising test of whether religious-themed toys can catch fire with consumers in a universe long dominated by secular mega-hits from Hot Wheels to Xbox.
David Socha, founder of Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company, which markets the talking Jesus through a division dubbed one2believe and based in Valencia, Calif., said one reason his company created the Jesus figure and other biblical dolls was to fight back against dolls that "look and dress" promiscuously.
Walking the line between respect and sacrilege can be tough. Some say the new Jesus doll, advertised for children 3 and up, trivializes religion and verges on being sacrilegious. Some toy analysts and child-development specialists aren't sure it works as a plaything.
Bettye Thompson, a Methodist from White House, Tenn., says the doll, whose box says "Tales of Glory: Jesus, God's Son," and, "I talk, try me" - goes too far. "A graven image that some organization is making money (from) ... it just makes my heart sick," she said.
"On some level, it's a little bit of a stretch," said Chris Byrne, an independent toy analyst in New York. "Are kids really going to play Wedding at Cana?" (That's when Jesus turned water into wine.)
One child-development specialist wonders whether the Jesus doll talks too long. The three Bible verses the doll recites (Mark 12:30, Mark 12:31 and John 3:16) last 11 seconds or less, which seems brief enough. But the doll's taped recitation of how Jesus fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish runs 59 seconds.
"That's just too much for a young child to listen to," said Kathleen Burriss, professor of early childhood development at Middle Tennessee State University.
Others say the doll is worthwhile, especially if parents guide young children or join them in play.
Joyce Middleton, children's pastor at nondenominational Christ Church in Nashville, Tenn., said the doll is a "nice teaching tool" that could stimulate a child's interest in the Bible.
"My child can use Barbie and Ken and pretend they are going to the beach or walking the dog," Middleton said. "Or they can have biblical characters and pretend they are feeding 5,000 and walking over water,"
One2believe started selling its line of biblical dolls directly to church groups and via the Internet more than two years ago. In August, Wal-Mart started putting the dolls in some of its stores in 21 states, mostly in the Sun Belt. Tennessee, Texas and Florida account for 128 of the 400-plus chosen locales.
The Jesus doll also is sold online by Target and at www.one2believe.com. One2believe distributes other religious dolls, including Noah, Moses and Mary.
It's unclear how big a seller the Jesus doll might be. One2believe declined to reveal sales figures.
The Association for Christian Retail said faith-based merchandise accounted for $4.6 billion in annual sales last year - a small percentage of the $4.7 trillion in total U.S. retail sales.
I wonder how long before some smart-assed tech saavy teenager 'cracks' this thing?