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Wal-Mart bible figures target religious consumers

Jesus is coming to Wal-Mart? The world's largest retailer has announced plans to test market "faith-based toys" that include Bible character action figures such as Samson, Daniel and even Jesus beginning next month.



USA Today reports the one2believe toys will be marketed in Wal-Mart stores in response to what a spokesperson says is an interest in faith-based toys and products such as Bibles in their stores. The product line's creator is pleased, but it has some evangelicals wondering if merchandising in Wal-Mart could cross the line of respect for spiritual things.

One2believe CEO David Socha called the distribution a "dream come true" for products intended as an alternative for parents to secular dolls like Bratz and Spider-Man, and are not an attempt to be irreverent about sacred things or real people like Jesus.

"We in no way have any lack of reverence for anybody who's in the Bible because they are super-heroes in their own right. We are really trying to reach children through their play," says Socha.

Randy Sharp, a spokesperson for the American Family Association -- which has often criticized Wal-Mart about their past merchandising of online products associated with the homosexual agenda -- agrees the toys could be a good influence. He thinks Christians should accept religious product lines made available for them in Wal-Mart the same as they do in religious bookstores.

"If you went to a Christian bookstore, you wouldn't think twice about it. You would almost expect it to be in there," he explains.

Socha says about 19 figures and toys from the "Tales of Glory" product line for ages up to 12 will be available for a trial period from August 1 to December in selected Wal-Mart stores. "We are really trying to reach children through their play," he says. "They have a lot of poor influences in their life, and hopefully they can see hope and courage through these real heroes who walked on the earth."

He hopes sales to parents will give the retailer incentive to keep providing them permanently as an alternative in what he calls the "Battle for the Toy Box."

Okay so wal-mart bans the word Christmas but now is trying to make money from a Bible based toy? What gives.... Well maybe they will just refuse to sell the baby Jesus version of the toy.  ;D

Wal-mart did change their policy on Christmas. It is no longer forbidden for their employees to say Merry Christmas. The local store here in fact placed a big Merry Christmas sign on the outside of the store last year and had a number of nativity displays throughout the store.

There is also a large section for Christan books and Christian music.

Here there is a small section, of Christian books.  Most of that is mormon books. :'(

There are a few mormon books in the Christian section here but there are far more that aren't. There is a wide range of Bibles starting from $1.00 for a plain KJV softback to a really good study Bible for around $65.00 with extra large print.

The video section here has a lot for kids, Davey and Goliath for one plus other Christian cartoons and sing-a-longs.