Honouring Gods/Higher Power through Dolls

My religion would not allow me to do it. Idols and such but if you want to do it I have nothing against it personally. Its your doll and your life you can do anything that makes you happy and doesn't hurt anyone else in my opinion. Good luck!

 

If you were going to take it to a meetup or something, then yeah people are likely going to find it offensive. If you just keep it at home on an altar or whatever then what business is it of anyone else what you do to honor your deities? Personally, I think it's kind of ridiculous, but hey, it's your money and your faith. Would I do it? No, but I don't believe in deities.

 

I have religious items that I bought for my dolls' characters to use in stories or photos. Kier has a Catholic rosary and St. Christopher and Mary pendants, Dhani has a Menorah, dreidel and Star of David necklace, Parker and Justin have cross necklaces. But these are just for the characters, and have no significance to me personally. I don't use the dolls or any of their items for worship (in fact, considering the religions of their characters, I'm pretty sure that would be strictly forbidden).

It's your doll, your faith, and your worship, so I wouldn't be offended by it because it doesn't affect me in any possible way. I would feel really weird doing it myself, as I was always taught that it's not okay to play with holy objects, and I want to play with my dolls, but that's my own personal feelings on it, and shouldn't affect how you enjoy your dolls.

 

Like everyone above, they're your dolls so they're your business and whatever you do with them is ok as long as you enjoy it because they are for your happiness only.

Also, I wouldn't be offended since I don't believe in those gods. I would be offended only if someone does it with Jesus Christ because he's my only God, and idolatry/images about God are wrong in his eyes....but that has nothing to do with you.^^

 

The dolls I buy are my simple capitalist self-indulgence. Even if I would dedicate a doll to whatever character/story/concept/deity, it is still self-satisfactory. Hence, I do not see how it can translate as being a form of dedication to something/someone outside of yourself.

For example the minimee's; people love a character-actor-idol, but they don't buy the doll /for/ that character-actor-idol. The doll literally has nothing to do with them. They buy it for themselves, because they want to hold onto a piece/reflection of that person they enjoy so much. Nothing wrong with this form of self-indulgence, but to call it a form of worship is somehow laughable to me.

 

Fascinating discussion! I love the fact that whether they agree of not everyone respects your decision of how to worship and using your dolls. I believe religion and worshipping is an individual choice. I am a pagan and have at one point also worked with chaos energies and used statues in my worship. I find your use of your dolls for worship interesting. Yes I would see them the same as using statues to represent the gods and goddesses and not at all offensive. Worship is as individual as the person. Personally I like your idea!

 

This is gonna piss someone off, but... JESUS DOLL! Had to say it. *cough* Thank you.

So, what do you think?
I think you should consider the God or deity before sticking them in a doll. The Greek and Roman gods might be all for it. Heck, their followers probably handed kids Athena and Zeus dolls all the time back then. Egyptian? Well, my sister has a plush doll of Anubis, and she hasn't been struck down. I'm not gonna get ahead of myself though. I can't say what powerful spiritual beings want. I guess when it comes down to it, you need to ask them yourself.

Would you find it offensive?
Am I offended? Nope. As long as they're taking good care of the dolls. If they're doing bad things to the doll, breaking it or something, I would be very off-put. Dolls shouldn't be used for hate.

Do you think it is a good idea?
If you really want it, and it works with your beliefs, sure! It's not a new idea. Humans have made material possessions to represent their deities since forever, really. I wouldn't shove it in everyone's face though, but that goes without saying for any religious thing. You don't want to cause someone to start lecturing you on why their way is better. Ugh, those get long.

Would you consider it?
I'm dead serious, my "God" is a spiritual bowl of jello. Doesn't have a gender or any description, except like water. So I won't be making a doll of it anytime soon.

In summary, do what you want but don't be a jerk to others with it.

 

This is very interesting!
I don't really believe in anything to be honest.
If i had a religion, i would be a satanist.
But anyway, for me it would be to much to worship a doll.
I think it would be cool to dress my doll up as a Greek god or something, just because i love the history behind it.
But i guess that would be it for me!

I think you should do what ever floats your goat!
Don't be scared to be judged or to offend people, because one way or another some people will always be offended.

“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there's still going to be somebody who hates peaches.”
― Dita Von Teese

 

I don't see why there'd be anything wrong with emulating your gods' iconic appearances in doll form. Just...don't worship your dolls. (Please?) That would be kinda wrong.

But yes, I've been working on a Santa Muerte custom of a Monster High Skelita for a while now, so I totally understand the urge. (I used Skelita and not a BJD or other doll because let's face it, a Santa Muerte face is going to look a lot more convincing if the head's already shaped more-or-less like a skull.)

 

You know what? You make a really good point. There always will be someone who's gonna beef about it. Best to be happy afterall.

 

Tossing in my two cents, also as a polytheist. I would see no problem in having a specific doll as a vessel for a god or as an idol/cult image. There's a whole history of it, after all, so it's really nothing new - just an evolution in means. If you were to do that and play with them like a normal doll around me, it would probably make me uncomfortable but I don't think that's what you're going for. I've thought about doing the same, though ultimately decided against it for two reasons; price, and the fact that I'm more comfortable with idols made out of natural things or found objects, rather than something newly bought.

I'd say, if you're going to undergo it with respect and forethought, go for it.

 

imo, even if you put your doll in an altar and worship it, it's still between you and your higher power/god. besides, what's the difference between a made in china casted resin figure of Mary, Jesus or St Michael or a made in china casted resin figure of the same but with joints? but that's just me and my 2 cents.

 

I wonder if you're serious (and I assume you are of course) whether such dolls wouldn't need special treatment - as "sacred" objects, representations of deities, maybe sharing them let's say in the BJD games section and the like, would be too trivial. For me any kind of idol-worship is a no-go, but I understand the fascination and have absolutely no problems with other people devoting themselves to their own gods.

 

I think it's really interesting but I am an athiest so my opinion is not a religious position :P
I am however, totally fascinated by religion and mythology. I don't really see much difference between having a doll or statue so I don't see why people would be offended if it's not a religion that forbids idols. It's really your business anyway. Plus art and religion have a long and mostly excellent history.
I do think Prometheus would be a great character to do in doll form even if one does not worship him. I would personally love to do a Pandora doll because I have always been very attached to her and her story.
I've seen some pretty awesome non BJD deity dolls and always thought they were cool. If people are offended by your doll choice in this context, I think they are likely to be an easily offended type of person.

 

I had been thinking of doing biblical scenes like famous art has done, but worship is something that would be impossible and of no interest to me personally. I think you should be able to do what you want to do with your own dolls. A few people might find it offensive, but it's none of their business. I personally wouldn't think creating something sacred out of something material for other spirits or gods would be a good idea, because I'm a little superstitious that it's a good way to invite something with bad intentions into your life. That said, it's none of my business what you do, and it doesn't offend me.