Discussing
Goth Barbies and cultural desires

Karen Swallow Prior

TimF
July 26, 2013

Good stuff, Karen. You've reminded me that the verse about God giving us the desires of our hearts is about him putting those desires into our hearts, not about us getting our heart's desire from God as if he's some cosmic vending machine!

Cheers,
Tim
( timfall.wprd[ress.com )

P.S. That said, if my daughter wanted a doll named Abbey Bominable I'd buy it for her in a heartbeat.

Karen Swallow Prior
July 26, 2013

Tim, I'd rather go Goth than go camping! Thanks for reading and commenting.

Cara Strickland
July 26, 2013

Thank you for sharing this, Karen. It is sometimes difficult for me to see some of the priorities of the world behind my desires, but often, they manifest, if I'm looking hard enough. It's easy to blindly pursue the "desires of my heart" forgetting that I am human, and I need to ask God to guide and baptize my desires. I can't trust them just because they are there.

I've actually been thinking a lot about this lately, so thank you for adding to the conversation in my head!

Karen Swallow Prior
July 27, 2013

Thank you, Cara. We all struggle with this. I'm glad my post was timed with your own thinking on this vexing but interesting and important matter.

Tom Wing
July 27, 2013

I agree completely concerning desires cultivated by God, yet "cultivating a penchant for fangs, fishnet stockings, miniskirts, skulls and black eyeliner to 7-year-old girls" seems to have much more at stake than a desire for blue bicycles or camping Barbie.
Would love to know your thoughts along this line...

Karen Swallow Prior
July 27, 2013

Well, as I stated, some of us might be uneasy about that. I think it would depend on the child and the parents for the most part.

Karen Swallow Prior
July 27, 2013

Like the "goth" trend itself (from back in the 90's but something I run into now and then these days in the behind-the-times Bible belt), I think it's more silly than dangerous.

Grace
December 21, 2016

Hello Karen! :) I know that this is pretty late, but I'd like to ask your opinion on something related to Monster High dolls. I'm a Christian teenager, and a little over a year ago I started blogging about my sewing projects and photography that center around dolls. I was slowly drawn into the Monster High craze, and I mainly liked them because of their possibility and cute accessories. From the beginning, I've mainly been making new outfits for them, like classy little black dresses and winter snow gear. I honestly thought that the characters themselves were clever and cute.

I'm old enough (and strong enough in the Bible) to know that I'm never going to emulate them in style, and I don't pay a ton of attention to the products that Mattel puts out related to the dolls, like books and movies (although I did watch a few of them at first to decide if they were appropriate).

And now, I'm starting to take a step back and wonder...am I dishonoring God by using these dolls as a base for sewing and photography? Is the fact that I enjoy dolls modeled after monsters dishonoring Him? More than anything, I want to do what is right.

I'd really appreciate any advice that you might have on the subject.
Thank you!
Grace
www.dolldimensions.com

Ksp
December 22, 2016

In Reply to Grace (comment #29718)
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Hi, Grace. I don't see how these dolls would be any different from any other dolls. As long as your use of them is age-appropriate, I see no concerns. I hope this helps. Karen

Angie
February 26, 2017

I was so conflicted about my granddaughter getting 2 of these folks yesterday for her 8th birthday. I was lost.
I googled, what do Christians feel about wicked barbie dolls.
Up came your answer, 1st on the Google list.
Thank you. I feel better now.
God placed your answer where i would read it 1st.
I feel better. Thank you.
Angie

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