The dolls, which recite Bible verses, were offered by the toymaker one2believe, a division of the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. But the charity initially rejected the toys, reportedly claiming it couldn't "take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family."
That decision prompted criticism from the Rutherford Institute, a civil liberties group, which said that not accepting the dolls contradicts the foundation's mission of ensuring that needy children experience the joy of Christmas.
It said the charity's decision had also indicated a desire to suppress the religious message that is the very foundation of the Christmas season.
"The rejection of the Jesus dolls is another example of the trend to secularize the Christmas holiday and expunge all religious meaning from it," said the organization's president, John Whitehead, in a statement Wednesday.
"Individuals who wish to express the religious aspect of the Christmas season through their giving should not be turned away and discriminated against because of their religious beliefs," he said.
"To do so sends a message to people of faith that they are no longer welcome by the government and its partners to participate in the celebration of the Christmas season," Whitehead added.
In a message on its website Wednesday, Toys for Tots said, "The Talking Jesus doll issue has been resolved. Toys for Tots has found appropriate places for these items. We have notified the donor of our willingness to handle this transaction."
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