Contentious doll names - gods and so on.

This is a good way of looking at it.

I am pagan. I'm not exactly insulted when someone uses a god's name, but it is sometimes worrysome when someone does. It's more in how it's being used (respectfully/disrespectfully.)

For me, names have a lot of power. If you want to bestow the name of a powerful trickster god on your doll, so be it, but it might come back to bite you later. While I'm not wholly animistic in my beliefs, I do think that invoking names on living or inanimate objects can bring certain power with it.

Consequently, I don't name many things after gods, whether or not the religion is faded or not.

 

Not that I want to necessarily continue the whole chain of annoying internet correction, but I forget if I already mentioned it or not, so I'll just use this to point out that Lucifer is not the devil. He never was. There is actually a very clear distinction between Satan and Lucifer, and the first time anyone ever equated the two was in Paradise Lost, which is where the misconception arose, but there isn't a connection in the actual religious text for that specific religion. Lucifer is just a really pretty latin name for the morning star. It's quite pure, actually, looking at the connotations of the morning star, and the etymological roots of the name. In fact, the one and only other reference to "Lucifer" in the bible (I bring this up because this where the whole "bad meaning" thing came from, for the name "Lucifer") is referring exactly to the morning star itself, so there isn't even one good reason to even find the use of that name offensive. It's the same as naming your doll... Galadriel, or something. For all intents and purposes, a name for the same object taken from an unused language, and it's a beautiful name to use.

Also, I cannot for the life of me fathom why this thread is continuously used to throw snippy remarks about other people's chosen faith (or lack thereof). I know it says "gods" in the title and all, but really, can we talk about naming dollies all kinds of names, not take potshots at other people's differing faiths?

And to steer it back on-topic, I'm currently in the process of tracking down a doll, because I think I finally found the one that's just right. His name is Iason Phanes. Iason is "healer" in Greek, while Phanes is where the contentious part comes in, as it's taken from the Ancient Greek religion, as the alternative name of Eros, Protogonos. Considering the fact that strangely enough, the creator god is eerily similar across many religions, he's actually all of them. Ironically, the doll I intend to buy for him (Soom Phonolus, but blushed darker, unless something better comes up while I'm scrimping pennies) was presented as the fallen angel/devil type character. And it's not a coincidence either, because I cannot help but see this entity as someone who's very grand, and very satisfied with what they've done - and also darker-skinned, dark-haired and dark-eyed, to go with the fact that the first humans had a darker complexion, which is [unfortunately] typically the way Satan is presented in various western paintings and other works of fiction [for no good reason other than the good ol' stereotypes]. I actually truly respect this religious concept as it resonates through a lot of religions, but obviously does not have one single representation and that is why I want to get my own - to be like the statues the Ancient Greeks made to honour their gods. I want to make him a grand scene and lots of expensive flowing robes, just so he could sit in my living room like a 3D work of art. I just can't see him as anything other than what I see him as, and honestly, it doesn't really matter because if this entity exists, I highly doubt they even have some specific shape they're restrained to (or, for that matter, care about something this minor). My doll right now, as I mentioned, is a different take on the Greek Oneiroi, so I'm sort of already off the deep end as far as trying to dollify god figures go. And I've experienced an almost complete disappearance of my ugly sleep problems and insomnia since Peppermint made his appearance here, (as bizarre as some of the dreams were, they were still very fun) so I think at least this entity, if it exists, doesn't seem to mind this idea at all. I did put in a lot of hours at the library to research this, just to make sure that I have my facts right because I do not wish to sound offend anyone through my ignorance - that is something I wish to avoid at all costs.

I'd be really interested in seeing other people's doll versions of religious characters and scenes, actually, because I think that most people carefully and meticulously plan their dolls to only contain that which is most important and meaningful to them, in one way or another, and I think that's usually a sign of deep respect. (I don't really care if someone does it with disrespect either, but I do understand why in that case someone might be offended by the doll)

 

I honestly couldn't care less ^^ A name is a name, and I think that unless the doll-owner is being disrespectful online about the 'person' or 'god' whose name is supposedly sacred, then a name is just a name. I say 'online', because I think a person can do what they want in their own home, if their family isn't going to be offended, but if your posting public photos on the internet that are made to intentionally offend people then, well, that's just not very nice is it? ^^ Then again, everybody is entitled to their opinion and point of view, so if we go into extremes, I suppose that person has a right to name their toy anything they want to, and post any photos of it that they want to, whether or not it offends people.

I myself am not religious in the sense that I don't go to any sort of church, follow any set of rules/moral codes other than the law and my own morals etc.
I'm an open-minded person, and while I wouldn't necessarily say that a 'god' exists, I'm also not going to say that one (or more) doesn't exist because I honestly don't know and neither does anybody else I think that it is arrogant to say "THERE IS NO GOD" or "THERE IS DEFINITELY A GOD". The use of religious names just doesn't affect me for these reasons, because I don't see anything wrong with using ANY name on your doll...it's just a doll

 

Every one has a different reason for naming their dolls in certain ways. Most of the time... people generally pick names based on the sound, the meaning.. or usually, in respect. There's no real point in getting offended because someone named their doll after a deity/angel/god/demon. It is their bjd and therefore, their choice in naming their doll.

I mean, some people name their children after various spiritual beings because of their belief that 'names have power'... and the name would grant some sort of protection or hopefully grant their child with similar personality traits. I don't think this differs from naming a doll. We name our bjds because they have characters... or because we want their personalities to fit in with a particular name.

It might seem offensive to some, but I believe that the name of a doll shapes him or her... and if said bjd is supposed to share traits with a particular god... GO FOR IT!

 

Biblical/Religious names don't really bother me. Most English names ARE biblical names. [Abraham. Rachel. Moses. Adam. Eve. Etc, etc, etc.]

Most of my dolls' names are actually made up from my own little brain. But I don't think I'd be offended seeing a gods name, or an otherwise religious name.

I'm a LaVey Satanist [Please don't hurt me or yell at me. I respect your relgion, your God/gods, AND your philosophies. Please respect mine. I have absolutely NO hatred towards any religion. I find them all very beautiful. Religion is something that has always brought me hope and happiness, no matter which religion it is.] and I wouldn't have a problem with anyone using any of the infernal names. However... I'm also not very religious. I follow it more as a philosphy and spirituality than I do a religion. I'm not sure if a more religious Satanist would be offended, though. But to be honest, people use the infernal names a lot, not realizing that they have a meaning to the Satanic culture

 

I don't think I would name a doll after biblical or religious figures like Jesus or Buddha, but I'd definitely name a doll after Greek or Roman mythology. I love the name Persephone, I would definitely name my doll that.

 

I'm often not fair in that I live in an area where there are more than enough defenders of Christianity (using it as a broad encompassing term for all divisions thereof) so I don't bother. So you could say I am biased but the logical half of me has to point out that it's the lesser known religions that tend to get twisted out of context and portrayed in a less than flattering way. So while they may name their dolls after angels and saints that seems almost normal to me (I mean how many "Michaels" do I know in real life? 8? 22?).

It bears to note that I do use "deity" in the way that I refer to any supernatural being thought to be powerful and garner respect. Not necessarily having to be a god. Apparently there are different definitions running around, some of which sound highly biased. I only used "god" to refer to Samedi because Angell Studio did. They call him a "zombie god", so... wouldn't correcting them be better? XD

 

for the love of Pete THANK YOU! I'm so sick of hearing the snide remarks at others in here. Doll collecting takes all kinds people! and I for one LIKE hearing people's differing opinions on names but I do NOT enjoy seeing thinly veiled insults thrown at people you've never even met.

Now stop fighting or I'll turn this car around and then we'll never get to the candy store! is that what you want? Huh?!

 

I wouldn't name a doll after a doll with a unique name

 

This.

I also wouldn't name a doll Hitler, for instance... & if I name a doll after a deity I'm going to be respectful about it (don't care which pantheon/path/faith - there's power in naming & names of things worshipped by others should be respected at the least). That also goes for celebrities - I mean the respect -

There are names I just don't LIKE so wouldn't use for a doll.

 

As long as the original deity is respected through the doll, I don't see why it should be a problem (aside from the Muhammad thing -- If the doll's name is just Muhammad, that's one thing, but if they're supposed to be a representation of Muhammad himself, that's breaking a very important Islamic belief).

You just have to be very careful when treading into cultures that are not your own, if you're going to base dolls after currently-worshiped figures. Not everyone will be offended, of course, and some may even be flattered, but there are those who may really be upset by it.

 

I think it's fine. I think Lucifer is actually a really interesting and cool name, especially because of the dark connotations. I'm an atheist and find it hard to believe people could be offended by that sort of thing. It's just a doll. It's just a name.

On the other hand, my father is a very devout (fanatic) Christian that believes dolls are the devil's work, so I'm sure he'd have plenty to say about naming a doll Lucifer. He would probably say that the doll is possessed by a demon and that it has crawled inside someone's head to make them name it Lucifer to praise and give glory to the devil. I had to hide my Barbies from him when I was little because he called them 'graven images' of humans, who were supposed to be made in the image of god, and therefore they were a mockery of god's creation. I'm not making that up. :\

 

Hmm. I, personally, wouldn't care what anyone named their doll, though I do sometimes roll my eyes at them.

However, while searching for names for a demonic character, one website I found had a disclaimer saying that one should be cautious about speaking the demons' names aloud, because that could draw their attention to you.

Since I don't believe in demons, or anything else supernatural, this doesn't bother me, but some people might be wary about giving their dolls demonic names for this reason.

 

*Facepalm* As a Christian, I would like to say that we're not all like this. I am really sorry that you had to go through that though. I went through slightly similar experiences of my parents not wanting me to watch shows or movies with witches and demons in them because they were "evil." As an adult, I watch what I want. I still haven't seen the Harry Potter movies because of this, but I would really like to.

In regards to names that people give dolls, I don't really get offended by any of them. I personally wouldn't name a doll Lucifer because of the connotation that comes with that name, but I don't have a problem with someone else doing it. If that's what they want to name their doll, then more power to them. Most of the names that I use for dolls come from words that are somehow significant to the doll's character translated in a different language. For example, one of my dolls is named "Enzeru" because that's the Japanese word for "Angel."

 

To me, naming a doll after a deity isn't that bad. I personally wouldn't name a doll after one of the more common ones of today (i.e. Mohammad, Jesus, etc..), but I don't mind if people do. The only names that particularly bother me is naming a doll after a demon. Just invoking a name associated with that which is considered the ultimate evil bothers me. It makes me uneasy to be around such dolls, but I guess that's more personal preference.

 

i'm an atheist, so my opinion on this matter should be pretty obvious and blunt: i don't think that naming a doll after a deity is disrespectful, because i do not believe in their existence (although i absolutely love myths and stories of the supernatural, that is what i view them as- fiction).

that said, i understand that it could be considered disrespectful to followers of that religion - and they ARE real people, regardless of if i agree with their worldview or not. the question for me is, do they deserve my respect? some religious/spiritual people i've met i have respect for, but my overall view of religion in general is negative (although research has shown that having faith or spirituality is extremely important for your own happiness, i think actual religious organizations continue to cause more harm than good. just look at.... um, all of history) so when i meet a religious person, i know i have a bias that has to be overcome.

i just don't really view it as an issue. chances are, if a religious person were to be offended by a name i chose, they wouldn't be someone i was interested in associating with in the first place. i'm not the kind of person who cares enough to 'troll' or make fun of a religion either- i'm that quiet, mostly apathetic kind of atheist who only gets angry when someone is physically or mentally harmed in the name of religion- so you won't see me naming any teddy bears (or BJDs) Mohammed either. although it is a nice name.

 

I'm an athiest as well, so I wouldn't personally be offended by any religious name. But I like to hope there's common sense when it comes to this issue.
I'd have no problem naming a doll after a character in a religious text, say, Silas or Gabriel, and actually one of my dolls is named Gabriel after the Archangel, but naming a doll Yahweh or Allah is just a bit stupid. Anyone who does that is just looking for a reaction. Same goes for people, names like Silas and Gabriel are used by people anyway, but if you call your kid Elohim you have serious issues.

Basic rule in my opinion is if it's a name used for people nowadays, you're good to go. Which is why in my opinion if you want to name your doll Jesus, do it.

I see no trouble taking names from an old dead religion or culture. My own name is Bronwen, and Branwen is the name of a celtic goddess of love and the sea.

Rather than religion being an issue for me, I find the case of culture more touchy. Using names from cultures you don't know much about could end up insulting, like if you made a doll from Sioux culture (or more likely just make a character doll described as 'Native American' and that's it, no specifics), did absolutely no research and it would just end up messy and racist.

For me it's not a case of finding using demon names contentious, but pretentious. If I saw a doll called Lucifer I'd probably just facepalm, unless it was a thoroughly amazing representation of the character and not an anime style catboy using his name because it sounds 'cool and scary'.

I can see how a representational doll of Lucifer could be disconcerting to someone who actually believed in him, but getting super butthurt over a doll when there are more important issues good Christians are concerned with, like solving poverty and being open and loving and Christian(!!!) to all, is silly to me. Rather than getting angry and Texan (sorry for the stereotype, y'all ), a good Christian would embrace the person who made the doll and talk to them about it, worrying mainly for the concern of the person, rather than the existence of the doll.

 

^THIS. Definitely THIS. I'm sorry, I just got finished reading a debate thread where someone (a fellow Christian, I'm sorry to say) went off about something that was completely off-topic and inappropriate. As a result of her refusal to get the conversation back on-topic, the thread was locked. Cases like these make me feel horrible that there are people who claim to be Christians, yet extend no care and understanding to those who aren't.

But getting back on the topic here, I said before that I have no problem with what people name their dolls, even if I wouldn't give them those names myself. I will also say in the case of naming dolls Jesus, it really depends on the depiction of the character. I would be offended if it was a blantant mockery of him as a religious figure, but I actually grew up in Texas and understand because of my experience with the hispanic population that yes, there are several people who name their children "Jesus" (pronounced hey-zeus). If this was the case and it was stated that the character came from a region where that name is common and wasn't just doing it to piss off people, then I wouldn't have a problem with it.

 

Well i don't see any problem in naming your doll what ever you wish names like Jesus and Lucifer don't really mean much to me (other than that the other sound really cool). And even if they did mean something I couldn't see my self getting offended by someone naming their dolls with those namse... Of course there are names I would never name my dolls, but that's just because I don't find them pretty. Other than that it's all the same to me. I mean really, what harm can a doll called Jesus do to anyone?!? Or the name Lucifer (by the way it means the shining light)... It's just a name right? I dunno, maybe it's a cultural thing?

But I do respect people and their religion in that sense, that maybe if I knew my friend to be a christian, I wouldn't torment her with the name of my doll, especially if I knew it would be a problem to her. So name is just a name, the meaning is given to it by people only.

Now this is MY opinion, I do realise that not many share this opinion and that is their right. Nor am I trying to get people to think like me on this one

 

There are many people named Jesus Maria in spanish speaking world, so I don't see the harm naming a doll Jesus. Or Charlie.