Thursday, April 8, 2010

Atheist Barbie

I've never been a fan of Barbie (shocker, I know). My family always tried to buy them for me, but I wanted nothing more than to play with Legoes all day. But it looks like Barbie has a interesting new profession:
She's been a princess, a firefighter, a Marine and a ballerina. After years of soul-searching, Barbie has finally found her true vocation. Meet Rev. Barbie, a plastic Episcopal Priest.

Rev. Barbie, the creation of Rev. Julie Blake Fisher, an Episcopal priest in Kent, Ohio, has her own Facebook page and comes dressed in the latest trends in clergy-wear.

Fisher created Rev. Barbie for use in her own youth ministry: "I thought the children would like to practice playing with the vestments and learning what they are," she told Religion News Service. Over the years, Barbie's many vocations have served as inspiration for young girls. And although Mattel has not endorsed Fisher's improvised Reverend Barbie, the plastic priestess has emerged at a critical moment in Christian history, especially for women.

Man, why should religious people get to have all the fun? I want an atheist Barbie! (click for slightly larger image)Finally, a Barbie doll that represents my every day life...
Posted by Jen at 12:13 PM
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58 comments:

  2. Many of the Episcopalians I know (including myself) wear geeky science t-shirts, Flying Spaghetti Monster paraphernalia, and nerd glasses.
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  3. Gahhh, you mean you're learning to camouflage yourselves?!?!?! We're doomed. ;)
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  4. I rather like Catholic Barbie. Very droll.

    Though of course it's likely just stupidity by the creator.

    Reminds me of very stupid scene in Seventh Heaven (shut up), where the mrs reverend substituted butter for schmaltz in a recipe when having Jews visiting. Just how stupid is it possible to be? And by supposedly religious person even.
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  5. But no pants? Surprise Orgies? Episcopalians wish they could think that far forward.

    Also, lunch.
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  6. Reverend Barbie? Looks more like pedophile barbie to me.
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  7. That lunch does look tasty...
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  8. This is totally funny. Also, why not? Barbie's been basically every other career under the sun, hasn't she?
    I once wanted to make a mad-science barbie, which would come with a labcoat, a tiny plastic beaker, strange goggles, and gloves (probably painted on). They said she was mad, but she'll show them all!!!!
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  9. Too funny! I love the baby-lunch and no pants. Classic!
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  10. Also realistic in that atheists are all well known for being statuesque and gorgeous (hence the regular orgies). As opposed to the dumpy sheep that make up the religious flock. I guess the only benefit to religious Barbie is she has morals so wouldn't randomly murder someone just for giggles.
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  11. Very cute. Thanks for posting.
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  12. Yes! If you added pants as I do not care to explain what an "orgy" is, I would buy one for my daughter! Though I am not a big Barbie fan, either, I think I would make an exception!
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  13. How DARE you scoop me about something from KENT! I am appalled!
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  14. Now that's funny! Love the baby in the bag for a quick snack.
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  15. Yeah, sorry about the crazy from Kent. We're usually better than that. At least.... a different kind of crazy.
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  16. Barbie has always creeped me out, even before I read The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. *shudder*
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  17. That's a Barbie I'd be proud to buy my daughter if I had a daughter!
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  18. I'll take an atheist Barbie. She'll make a great toy for the younger relatives of mine.
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  20. Well, as anon above pointed out, you made BoingBoing. Enjoy the traffic spike!
    Rob
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  21. Why do atheists get a monopoly on sexy nerd glasses? You're just trying to tempt me, like a temptress of some kind.
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  22. Valis, I can't believe you mentioned The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. I just got it in a multi-volume set of PKD and wasn't sure I'd read it - now I absolutely will!
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  23. "surprise orgies?" i thought for us atheists it would be "regularly-scheduled orgies..."
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  24. I just got it - the baby IS lunch! I totally LOVVVVVVVVE this!!
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  26. Ok...Now where is Wiccan Barbie? Now that would look sweet. Why not?
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  27. Though the Atheist one is sweet as well!! LOL
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  28. >I've never been a fan of Barbi

    Yeah, I'll bet you're still waiting for bulldyke barbie to show up. All the 1s and 2s in the world are inherently jealous of beauty.
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  29. OMG! I AM Atheist Barbie! Especially the tasty tasty babies for lunch, of course. This is Hysterical! I must share this with all my nerd glasses/atheist swag festooned friends! Awesome!
    Now where are my pants?!
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  30. Remind me to get a flying spaghetti monster tattoo on my scrotum! :D
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  31. You made Greg Laden's blog too.
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  32. I'll bet you're still waiting for bulldyke barbie to show up.

    Flannel shirt: check!
    Buzzcut: check!
    Jeans with Big Cuffs: check!
    Harley (she totally has to have a bike!): check and double-check!!
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  33. Fantastic, I love it.

    The lunch is really funny.
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  34. Typo: should be "surprise" orgies... or maybe me pointing stuff like that out is why I never get invited to the surpise orgies? O_o
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  35. This comment has been removed by the author.
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  36. Typo - corrected.

    Having presented at an Atheist convention on research regarding the intersection of belief and skepticism - my first thought was that the implication that all atheists are 'pro-science' (the little shirt) is actually pretty misleading? I guess that's the same-old 'atheists are skeptics' assumption, which may be worthy of a discussion in itself? :)

    Of course, the likes of Leslie Cannold, Dr Rachael Dunlop, Jane Caro, Swoopy, myself and many, many other hard-working women in atheism are hardly attending orgies and my second response was to balk at the implication that atheist women cater to atheist men with exhibitionist behavior rather than make genuine contributions like men do - but clearly that's just your parody.

    I look forward to seeing Dora the Explorer as Skeptic investigator. :) Maybe Crispian Jago could do something about that one?
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  37. I'm not a big fan of those surprise orgies... you just know there's going to be way too many middle-aged out of shape single guys trying to horn in on the action.
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  38. Rev. Barbie. The only member of the clergy that kids can safely undress. :p
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  39. Atheist Barbie? Try Skepchick Barbie.

    It is not exactly a typical atheist woman or even a typical female skeptic.

    Congratulations on what I am sure is a blazing success. You've been linked by several very high-traffic sites written by men who obviously thought this was cute.

    I think it's offensive.

    But my opinion doesn't really matter. I'm just a woman.
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  40. Oh, I sooo want bulldyke Barbie. But please, not a Harley. A Ducati would be nice.
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  41. PS: speaking as a thoroughly feminist woman, I entirely get the joke. It's not supposed to be a real "typical atheist woman", it's ALL cliches. It's only lacking a kitten pie.

    Now where's my surprise orgies, and can I has bulldykes plskthx?
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  42. http://www.scribd.com/doc/2532766/God-Wants-You-Dead
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  43. @Not Laughing: as a woman, a mother of 2 girls, and someone who played with Barbies for years...I think this is hysterical. I'd buy one just for display, since neither I nor my daughters play with Barbies any more. If we can't laugh at ourselves, and the stereotypes of atheist women, we are dead.
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  44. they should make a jewish barbie!!
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  45. yeah ^^^ (what sAm My said)
    also, Outspoken Parisienne Muslim Barbie :)
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  46. @Not Laughing: It's not *supposed* to be a typical atheist or skeptic woman, but a mocking of the stereotypes about atheists. Atheists are often told, for example, that we eat babies for lunch, or people assume that we are all promiscuous. Which is not to say, "It's just a joke, get over it," because obviously that's a flippant answer that is often used to excuse offensive things. But I do think you're missing the point a bit. Jen is attempting to make ridiculous assumptions made about atheist women look silly, not canonize them.

    Humor is often used to marginalize people, so I can understand your concern, but it can also be a powerful tool to fight oppression, which was part of the intent (and I would say, fairly successful) here.
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  47. hot! hot1 Hot! the glasses seal the deal.
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  48. You know, I was more irritated by "Computer Engineer Barbie" making a mockery of my field than I am by this religious one for some reason.

    That said, turning religious vestments into a goofy doll costume seems to me to make clearer that that's all they really are... something tells me that the priest Barbie says more sensible things than actual priests do, if for no other reason than the fact that she can't talk :)

    As for Jen's parody, I think it speaks for itself.
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  49. Why does priest barbie have a fan page? --> http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=105139079524495

    Help combat with atheist barbie! --> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Atheist-Barbie/112920645399609
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  50. Jen, Adam Savage (@donttrythis) likes Atheist Barbie too. :)

    @jamyianswiss

    Atheist Barbie: http://tinyurl.com/y5qwswr
    about 3 hours ago via web
    Retweeted by donttrythis and 100+ others

    mmmm.... lunchbabies... :D Luvly with a well aged bottle of Christian baby's blood, during a break from any atheist morality-free orgy. xD
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  51. As a female atheist skeptic, I have to disagree with Not Laughing here. Several people have already pointed out that this is ironic. Barbie has, historically, been all about the stereotypes, and this Barbie is both poking fun at Barbie and at the stereotypes we atheists encounter about ourselves (hint: the baby in the lunchbag gives it away).

    I think it's a brilliant commentary. And, apparently, it's not just men that think it's cute, since there seem to be an awful lot of women here cheering and asking for one. I have never liked Barbie, even as a kid, but I want one of these too!

    And, just for the record, women enjoying sex and being exhibitionist is not always because they're catering "to atheist men with exhibitionist behavior rather than make genuine contributions like men do".

    Women who are strong enough to stand up to an entire society that thinks women shouldn't worry their pretty little heads about science, math, and social issues, and that has a significantly high portion of women engaged in woo and religious beliefs, those women are also more likely to be women who are strong enough to embrace their own sexuality and be sex-positive or exhibitionist simply because they like doing so.

    Also, for the comment about overage fat guys crashing the orgy - we found that if you do a thorough job of planning the orgy the first time, taking care with the guest list and the safety requirements, it leads to more "surprise" orgies later since the groundwork has been taken care of ... without the party crashers ... even when that party is at Dragoncon.

    For more information on practical tips for orgies and other debauchery (from an out atheist & skeptic), visit Tacit's Live Journal http://tacit.livejournal.com, his advice column Weekly Sex Tips www.weeklysextips.com and his upcoming podcast, the Skeptical Pervert www.skepticalpervert.com - there is absolutely no woo or "spirituality" included.
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  52. Lunch? Reminds of the HK flick Dumpling. And admit it, she isn't pantless because of surprise orgies. We just caught her on 'no pants day'. But I must admit, the surprise orgies does make the atheist lifestyle seem more fantabulous.

    And totally unrelated, but pantless comes up as being misspelled but fantabulous is perfectly fine?
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  53. I am offended, appalled, and disgusted by this! This... This is the most blatantly offensive thing on ALL of TML, and I will NOT stand for it!





    I mean, come on, that baby should be saran wrapped to keep the freshness in! I am sickened by this oversight!
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  54. what the heck is schmaltz?
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  55. The people who are over the age of 50 years can get headaches due to temporal arteritis. This is a serious condition and consultation with the doctor is required. 
    http://www.denverback.com
    Chiropractor Denver
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  56. I need that doll! 'No pants to be ready for surprise orgies'. Hilarious.

    Of course she's from Kent. I live there (against my will), and can tell you that the woman who created that doll is everyone from Kent in a nut shell. Except for the people who aren't Christian, of course, but in the nine years I've lived there, I've yet to meet another person who isn't.
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  57. Robert DegrimstoneJan 9, 2012 11:29 PM
    Hello Jen :-)


       While your atheist Barbie is no doubt a work of genius, I must admit that i'm at a total loss in regards to what the baby doll (?)  in the brown paper bag 
    with the word "Lunch" next to it is supposed to represent. I can only speculate, but i'm pretty sure i'm way off on this one. I guess i'm dense, i'm probably missing something painfully obvious here :-(

       Care to enlighten a fellow, albeit benighted, atheist??? 
        
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  58. Luke The AtheistJan 31, 2012 08:15 PM
    Robert

    Atheists eat babies, thus, lunch.
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