A talking Jesus doll has been rejected by the Marine Reserves' Toys for Tots programme for being 'too religious'.

An American company in Los Angeles offered to donate 4,000 of the 1-foot-tall dolls, which quote Bible verses, for distribution to
needy children this Christmas.

The battery-powered Jesus is one of several dolls manufactured by one2believe, a division of the Valencia-based Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co., based on biblical figures.

But the charity was prevented from donating their US$80,000 gift because of the religious nature of the dolls.

Toys are donated to kids based on financial need and "we don't know anything about their background, their religious affiliations," said Bill Grein, vice president of Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, in Quantico, Virginia.

As a government entity, Marines "don't profess one religion over another," Grein said Tuesday. "We can't take a chance on sending a talking Jesus doll to a Jewish family or a Muslim family."

Michael La Roe, director of business development for both companies, said the charity's decision left him "surprised and disappointed".

"The idea was for them to be three-dimensional teaching tools for kids," La Roe said. "I believe as a churchgoing person, anyone can benefit from hearing the words of the Bible."

According to the company's website, the button-activated, bearded Jesus, dressed in hand-sewn cloth outfits and sandals, recites Scripture such as "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" and "Love your neighbour as yourself".

The programme distributed 18 million stuffed animals, games, toy trucks and other gifts to children in 2005.