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Look Out, Barbie: Here Comes Moses

Faith-based action figures to combat less godly toys

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Jul 30, 2007 4:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – Faith-based action figures will soon compete with the latest Bratz and Transformers dolls on the shelves of a Wal-Mart near you. Tales of Glory figurines, including Samson, Jesus and Daniel (complete with the Lions’ Den), are being promoted as "God-honoring toys" in a market full of figures that "glorify evil, destruction, lying, cheating."

Analysts think the new dolls will mostly be “parent purchases": they admit it's hard to market 2,000-year old characters to kids. But Christian fantasy fiction has emerged as a reaction to Harry Potter, and the toy-makers hope high sales among church groups will translate into their own David-over-Goliath victory—though for now the toys will be relegated to the mega-retailer.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

This picture provided by the company One2believe shows their action figure toy of Jesus. Wal-Mart said Tuesday, July 17, 2007 it will test sales in some stores of the biblical action figures whose makers... (Associated Press)

A Wal-Mart employee pushes a line of shopping carts toward the entrance of a Wal-Mart store, in Walpole, Mass. "We anticipate there may be parents and teachers who would find these toys beneficial in... (Associated Press)

Blessed Toys' "Tales of Glory" series features PVC figurines of Jesus, Moses and other biblical figures and scenes, and will soon be available at your neighborhood Wal-Mart. (blessedtoys.com)

Samson battles Goliath in this action figure re-imagining of a classic parable, from Blessed Toys' official website. The purveyor of faith-based toys has recently gotten the attention, and much valued... (blessedtoys.com)

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Jesus Loves Me Bear from www.blessedtoys.com, purveyors of the "Tales of Glory" toy series that will soon find shelf-space at Wal-Mart stores across the nation. (livings10 (YouTube))

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Look Out, Barbie: Here Comes Moses