Is it a sin for adults to play with dolls?

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Meh, it's not like he's hurting anyone. Weird? Sure. Not my cup of tea? Definitely not! But so what? Just because I don't understand or like something doesn't mean it's immoral or sinful. Frankly, i think we'd all be better off if we could all just respect one another's right to do our own weird stuff without judgement.

 

[YmirGF]

Morally wrong? No. Psychologically unhealthy. Yes.

Agree 100%, There is something a little odd about a full grown male doting on an inanimate object.

How is it psychologically unhealthy?

My guess is that it would act as reinforcement for a stunted emotional growth.

 

[Terese]

How is it psychologically unhealthy?

Because the doll is not a real person. The relationship is purely one-sided as the doll has no say over their relationship. Real people are not like that.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

I don't see it as a real relationship since the doll has no free will of her own, and that it is psychologically unhealthy. But he seems happy so i won't stamp on his parade. If it's only a sex doll made for his pleasure that i can see becoming popular, but to treat it as a sentient being is something i'm not too sure of.

People anthropomorphise all sorts of inanimate objects they spend lots of time with. Sure, not often to this degree, but sometimes... well, I've known car enthusiasts who seem to have relationships similar to this with their car, at least in terms of personalising it and caring for it. I'm sure there are plenty of other similar examples.

 

[Spiderman]

There is something a little odd about a full grown male doting on an inanimate object.

You havent met one of the billions of statue, icon, photo, or crucifix, venerators out there?

Or pornography addicts?

 

[Stevicus]

View attachment 23365
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"A Japanese man has revealed he has finally found happiness with his girlfriend - a silicone love doll.

Senji Nakajima, claims he enjoys the 'perfect' relationship with 'Saori' - even taking the dummy out shopping to buy it fancy outfits - despite the fact that he is married to a woman with whom he has two children.

Senji, 61, from Nagano, lives with his life size doll in his apartment in Tokyo where he enjoys a physical relationship with it - but he claims he is happy because his plastic companion isn't 'after only money'."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/a...apanese-man-claims-finally-love-sex-doll.html


Just curious what you think? There is a rise in this behavior.

In many ways, isn't it like having a relationship with God? How do you know God doesn't cherish this man's relationship with his doll?

How do you know God or some spirit isn't speaking to him through the doll? God speaks to us silently after all.

Couldn't the spirit of God speak to this man through his doll just like he speaks to so many people through nature, icons, paintings, books, sermons, and Scripture?

If this man treats his doll like it has a soul, doesn't he have just as much evidence as a person who claims they are filled with the Spirit of God, born again, seeing Angels, hearing from spirits, or speaking prophecy?

His doll just might send as many silent messages to his heart as the Holy Spirit does to a "Born again Christian" (Whatever being born again even means).

Honestly, I find it kind of frightening. If the man was a babysitter and I had kids, I would be hesitant to leave them unattended with him. It's just a gut reaction that I can't quite put my finger on.

However, I do admire his courage in humbling himself to such an extent, and making knowledge of it public.

Anyone who is willing to make taboo practices public has a quality that I admire. Something can be said for being your own person and not caring what others think.

Please explain your reasons for believing it is wrong. Thanks!

When I first saw the thread title, I thought this might have been about something different. My grandmother was a devout Catholic and also a doll collector. Some of her dolls were antiques worth a lot of money. It was her hobby. I don't see how it could be considered a sin.

But as for this guy with the sex doll, I don't know. If he wants to do it and it makes him happy, it's his business, not mine. As to whether it's a sin or not, I guess it would be considered the same as masturbation.

I don't know what the latest technology is regarding these things. I suppose if AI gets sophisticated enough and they can build robots that look and speak exactly like humans, then we might see more relationships like this.

Quite a few sci-fi movies and TV shows have covered this theme, and it always seems to turn out bad. Falling in love with a computer or a robot or a holodeck program just doesn't work out too well.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Because the doll is not a real person. The relationship is purely one-sided as the doll has no say over their relationship. Real people are not like that.

True, but is it really any more unhealthy than, say, really over the top.pet owners?

Don't get me wrong, I get this guy is unusual, but if he's genuinely happy, genuinely not harming anyone else, I don't think he should be judged for apparent "unhealthiness". I doubt this is any more objectively unhealthy than lots of far more common stuff that's perfectly socially acceptable.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

You havent met one of the billions of statue, icon, photo, or crucifix, venerators out there?

Or pornography addicts?

I don't know of anyone from either of those categories with this sort of relationship.

 

[Terese]

People anthropomorphise all sorts of inanimate objects they spend lots of time with. Sure, not often to this degree, but sometimes... well, I've known car enthusiasts who seem to have relationships similar to this with their car, at least in terms of personalising it and caring for it. I'm sure there are plenty of other similar examples.

That i can completely understand. But do these people have a romantic or sexual relationship with their car? I admit, talking to a doll like it is a real person and talking to a car like that is something that is strange. I am not against people anthropomorphising objects, but to a degree like the man does is...well...not healthy. At least that's how i see it.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

When I first saw the thread title, I thought this might have been about something different. My grandmother was a devout Catholic and also a doll collector. Some of her dolls were antiques worth a lot of money. It was her hobby. I don't see how it could be considered a sin.

But as for this guy with the sex doll, I don't know. If he wants to do it and it makes him happy, it's his business, not mine. As to whether it's a sin or not, I guess it would be considered the same as masturbation.

I don't know what the latest technology is regarding these things. I suppose if AI gets sophisticated enough and they can build robots that look and speak exactly like humans, then we might see more relationships like this.

Quite a few sci-fi movies and TV shows have covered this theme, and it always seems to turn out bad. Falling in love with a computer or a robot or a holodeck program just doesn't work out too well.

It never works out well in sci-fi because dramatic tension is a thing. Sci-fi is important as a philosophical vehicle. It's hardly a basis for determining what WILL happen, though. I hasten to add there ARE at least some sci-fi stories where the human and AI lovers are great together.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Because the doll is not a real person. The relationship is purely one-sided as the doll has no say over their relationship. Real people are not like that.

Well perhaps people may be suffering from anxiety and need comfort from an inanimate object.

Take gus the doll for example:

"Anxiety will come and go based on life triggers, but gus will always be there, tagging along for the ride — a comfort. When you hold one or lay one on your chest, something really calming takes place. Maybe a throwback to when we were younger and a blanket made us feel protected, or a favorite stuffed animal made us feel less alone or scared. Life is bumpy, and everyone, no matter what age, can use a little support."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shame/201806/no-shame-in-adult-comfort-dolls

 

[Rival]

I take comfort in sleeping with a teddy bear and have done for a long time.

But I'm not in a relationship with it.

 

[Terese]

True, but is it really any more unhealthy than, say, really over the top.pet owners?

Don't get me wrong, I get this guy is unusual, but if he's genuinely happy, genuinely not harming anyone else, I don't think he should be judged for apparent "unhealthiness". I doubt this is any more objectively unhealthy than lots of far more common stuff that's perfectly socially acceptable.

That's true, though dogs are living beings and possess emotions and sentience comparable to that of a 2 year old.

I guess you have a point. I should not have immediately judged him. I don't think he's harming anyone too (except perhaps his wife via alienation?). What kind of common stuff that you find are as unhealthy as this situation? Not arguing, just curious.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

That i can completely understand. But do these people have a romantic or sexual relationship with their car? I admit, talking to a doll like it is a real person and talking to a car like that is something that is strange. I am not against people anthropomorphising objects, but to a degree like the man does is...well...not healthy. At least that's how i see it.

I know car owners who talk to their car like it's a real person. The sexual relationship? Not so much. But unusual doesn't mean unhealthy. Heyyy, this guy could be pathologically unable to meaningfully interact with real people. This MAY be the healthiest option for him. But hey, even if he's just a legitimate weirdo, if he's happy and not hurting anyone, well, let him be unhealthy, if that's what he wants. There's far worse things to worry about, IMHO.

 

[Terese]

Well perhaps people may be suffering from anxiety and need comfort from an inanimate object.

Take gus the doll for example:

"Anxiety will come and go based on life triggers, but gus will always be there, tagging along for the ride — a comfort. When you hold one or lay one on your chest, something really calming takes place. Maybe a throwback to when we were younger and a blanket made us feel protected, or a favorite stuffed animal made us feel less alone or scared. Life is bumpy, and everyone, no matter what age, can use a little support."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/shame/201806/no-shame-in-adult-comfort-dolls

Can be! It was wrong of me to judge him so quickly.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

I take comfort in sleeping with a teddy bear and have done for a long time.

But I'm not in a relationship with it.

Hate to break it to you, you ARE in a relationship with it. Not one like this guy, but whether it's a question of degree or of type is arguable.

 

[Rival]

Hate to break it to you, you ARE in a relationship with it. Not one like this guy, but whether it's a question of degree or of type is arguable.

Uh, no. It's a teddy bear. A relationship requires mutual consent.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

That's true, though dogs are living beings and possess emotions and sentience comparable to that of a 2 year old.

I guess you have a point. I should not have immediately judged him. I don't think he's harming anyone too (except perhaps his wife via alienation?). What kind of common stuff that you find are as unhealthy as this situation? Not arguing, just curious.

Smoking was the thing that leapt out. Bad diet, substance abuse, other hegative coping methods. Stuff like that. All def. unhealthy, but rarely even comented on. I'm not really arguing, either, just devil's advicating a bit and making my own effort not to knee jerk judge people different to me.

 

[Kangaroo Feathers]

Uh, no. It's a teddy bear. A relationship requires mutual consent.

Nope. Certain types of relationship absolutely do. But you still have relationships with many things that don't require consent of either or both parties.

 

[Rival]

Nope. Certain types of relationship absolutely do. But you still have relationships with many things that don't require consent of either or both parties.

Cool, I guess your use of the world 'relationship' is much, much broader and you are using it to define the state between any two things.

Here on this thread, we are using it to define the nature of things between two humans. I cannot take my teddy bear on a date, have a conversation with it, make-love to it, or have any kind of intimate emotional relationship with it whatsoever.