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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Wal-Mart to test Bible action figures in US
2007-07-18
Wal-Mart said Tuesday it will test sales in some stores of biblical action figures whose makers say they are aimed at Christian parents who prefer their children play with Samson, David or Noah rather than with a comic book character or Bratz doll.
Cheeze. I wish I'd thought of that racket.
They'll be made in atheist China, of course.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien said the toys made by One2believe, a Valencia, California, company, will be offered in 425 of Wal-Mart's 3,376 discount stores and Supercenters in the United States. One2believe Chief Executive David Socha said his products were part of a "battle for the toy box" with dolls and figures that he said carry negative messages. "If you're very religious, it's a battle for your children's minds and what they're playing with and pretending. There are remakes out there of Satan and evil things," Socha said.
Posted by:Fred

#14  I want the Onan action figure....

Or maybe the Jesus and the moneychangers action set...
Posted by: Mark E.   2007-07-18 23:55  

#13  The congregation's dirty-minded teenage boys will make the "Song of Solomon" action figure the immediate bestseller :-D
Posted by: Ricky bin Ricardo (Abu Babaloo)   2007-07-18 21:59  

#12  Oh, we're in a formerly rural area, BA. This is a legitimate suburb, now. Just before the schools held final exams, a call went out in our district for translators conversant in about fifteen foreign languages

Eh, that doesn't mean that much anymore. I have cousins living in definitely rural Indiana (Friendship, IN, home of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association) who work for the local fire department and life squad. Their war stories sound like something out of a Texas episode of COPS.
Posted by: Rob Crawford   2007-07-18 19:38  

#11  Being surprised that Wal-Mart sells Bibles is like being surprised that they sell dictionaries. Hmm.. I wonder what book would rank number one in Global sales.
Posted by: AT   2007-07-18 15:35  

#10  I feel your pain, TW! Not in the Clinton sort of way, but in a sincere sort of way (here in my newly suburban area too).
Posted by: BA   2007-07-18 13:39  

#9  Oh, we're in a formerly rural area, BA. This is a legitimate suburb, now. Just before the schools held final exams, a call went out in our district for translators conversant in about fifteen foreign languages (many of which I'd never even heard of!) with another of the half dozen common ones covered by prepared tapes. Fred Pruitt's knowledge of Vietnamese and Russian would have been helpful.
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-07-18 13:30  

#8  "Close enough for gubbmint work", TW! I consider the (at least rural areas) midwest as being about as "God fearing" as the Southeast.
Posted by: BA   2007-07-18 13:22  

#7  Here in the Queen City the WalMarts and Costcos sell a variety of Bibles, too, BA. I'm not sure if southwest Ohio counts as Bible Belt, though.
Posted by: trailing wife   2007-07-18 12:35  

#6  The ice hockey one is just, well, over the top, to put it mildly.

You didn't think the martial arts coach was dubious? "The Lamb of God, now with kung-fu grip!"
Posted by: Angie Schultz   2007-07-18 12:17  

#5  This isn't that surprising, as all the Wally World's near me already sell Christian Bible Study books, Bibles themselves, etc. in their book section. Of course, even the Costco's near me (Atlanta) sell Bibles and Bible covers, so I've often wondered if it's a "Bible Belt" marketing thing, or do all Wal-Marts/Costco's sell these items.
Posted by: BA   2007-07-18 09:36  

#4  Maybe, Mike, but then again you could have "Jesus Saves, then shoots, and scores!"
Posted by: Gary (no Samoyeds in hotel)   2007-07-18 09:26  

#3  These have been around for a while. It's kitschy, but not theologically unreasonable, to portray Jesus as a benevolent coach or a dance instructor. The ice hockey one is just, well, over the top, to put it mildly. ("With 1:33 left in the power play, Johnny skates up to the Son of Man and elbow-checks his Lord and Savior into the boards.")
Posted by: Mike   2007-07-18 09:00  

#2  The Old Testament stories weren't always the nicest; some parents might want to rethink that King David vs. King Saul doublepack. But the Jericho playset should be pretty good - one touch of a button, and the battery-powered trumpets play and the walls collapse.

Since I already have a Charles Dickens action figure, I wouldn't mind a Jesus to stick alongside him. I might want to wait for the Golgotha playset, though . . .
Posted by: The Doctor   2007-07-18 08:48  

#1  Will the Sister Mary Francis action figure come with bonus 12" ruler, eraser and Holy Card???? Enquiring minds need to know
Posted by: Cheddarhead   2007-07-18 07:29  

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