Walmart and The Talking Jesus Doll
This is the reason I really hate America and the Christian sub-culture sometimes. On Monday, USA Today wrote that Walmart is getting religious–toys that is.
Early next month, 425 Wal-Mart stores nationwide will begin carrying faith-based toys from One2believe that target parents who would rather that their kids play with a Samson action figure than a Spider-Man action figure. It’s the first time the world’s largest retailer has carried a full line of religious toys. “We’re seeing interest from parents in faith-enriching toys,” says Melissa O’Brien, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman.
I heard about this new venture into the multi-billion dollar religious toys market from a local Christian radio station. They were commenting on the idea, with one guy hesitant and the other fully embracing this move as a sort of subversive way to “bring the gospel to the kiddies.” Then they took comments from listeners, with ALL of them applauding the decision and happy that kids would be playing with Bible characters instead of Spiderman or the Incredible Hulk. And how did they defend the talking Jesus? Most believed the gospel would somehow be communicated through this thoroughly white, American version of the Son of God.
So I sat in my car fuming and becoming more irritated at the complete absurdity of thinking somehow the fullness of the mystery of salvation and God’s story would trickle down (in a Reaganomics sort of way) to the kids playing with these dolls. Why do we jump at any opportunity for validation from the American culture? Why the hell would we ever want a multi-national corporation like Walmart to make a dime off of a crappy Americanised idol of the person of Jesus? Why oh why are Christians blind to the despicable, crass consumerism that has infested the community of Jesus, especially the evangelical sub-culture?
Would somebody please help me understand?
Because I just
do
not
get it!
disturbed,
-jeremy
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Couldn’t agree more. These toys are dumber than dumb, and represent nothing more than profit motive. And what’s wrong with the “superheroes” we’ve got expressing a pursuit of truth and justice? At least then the fans have a hope of achieving something similar. I’d like to think that Jesus would be rooting for Aquaman, helping Spiderman in his quest for wholeness and getting the Hulk to…just calm down.
Guess I’m not helping you understand why it’s a good idea, huh? That’s because it’s not. Once again the overzealous consumergelicals are confusing the external representation of Jesus with the one who is supposed to come into our hearts and make heroes of us all…
Not much more to add to that comment
I REALLY liked this: “consumergelicals are confusing the external representation of Jesus with the one who is supposed to come into our hearts and make heroes of us all”
Very good! Thanks for dropping by with you perspective,
-jeremy