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Sparlock, also known as Sparlock the Warrior Wizard, is the name of a fictional toy created by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the corporate entity behind Jehovah's Witnesses) to teach children the dangers of magic and magical toys. It first appeared in a DVD entitled "Be Jehovah's Friend" which was released at district conventions across the United States and abroad in 2012. The digitally animated video that portrays Sparlock, which is called "Obey Jehovah," ends when the toy is thrown in the trash by its owner, a boy named Caleb, after his mother admonishes him for playing with a toy that has been marketed as being magical, as well as for making Jehovah "sad."

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  • Sparlock
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  • Sparlock, also known as Sparlock the Warrior Wizard, is the name of a fictional toy created by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the corporate entity behind Jehovah's Witnesses) to teach children the dangers of magic and magical toys. It first appeared in a DVD entitled "Be Jehovah's Friend" which was released at district conventions across the United States and abroad in 2012. The digitally animated video that portrays Sparlock, which is called "Obey Jehovah," ends when the toy is thrown in the trash by its owner, a boy named Caleb, after his mother admonishes him for playing with a toy that has been marketed as being magical, as well as for making Jehovah "sad."
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  • Sparlock, also known as Sparlock the Warrior Wizard, is the name of a fictional toy created by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the corporate entity behind Jehovah's Witnesses) to teach children the dangers of magic and magical toys. It first appeared in a DVD entitled "Be Jehovah's Friend" which was released at district conventions across the United States and abroad in 2012. The digitally animated video that portrays Sparlock, which is called "Obey Jehovah," ends when the toy is thrown in the trash by its owner, a boy named Caleb, after his mother admonishes him for playing with a toy that has been marketed as being magical, as well as for making Jehovah "sad." Since the DVD's initial release, Sparlock has quickly became a symbol for former Jehovah's Witnesses and has been adopted by them as a sort of mascot across the internet. Some have chosen to use the character's likeness because they believe that throwing Sparlock in the trash is reminiscent of the practice of disfellowshipping, wherein Jehovah's Witnesses excommunicate and shun members of their faith who have been deemed "bad associates." Some critics consider the video an example of childhood indoctrination, or complain that it portrays an attempt to use guilt to pressure the boy, Caleb, into behaving in way that is consistent with his mother's faith. When the video first came out, many Jehovah's Witnesses, who had not received the DVD yet, believed it was a fake. Penn Jillette also tweeted about Sparlock on June 25, 2012, spreading awareness of the video to those who knew little about Jehovah Witnesses before. Sparlock has become an internet meme. Many spoofs of the character and the video that portrays it have appeared online, including images with various slogans like, "This is Sparlock!" which is reminiscent of a line from the movie 300 (film), where the King of Sparta shouts, "This is Sparta!" Satirical videos have also begun to appear, along with Sparlock T-shirts and mugs that are available in several countries.
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