Are Native American "Dreamcatchers" Evil?

[Holly3278]

Avoid them. They come from false Native American religion and are related to the New Age and Occult. Have nothing to do with any of that stuff.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

The original name and purpose of what non-Natives call Dream Catchers is actually a story about the spider. Web imitates a spider web. The story reminds people that they have gone bad and have forgotten the way to live in peace. The lessons of the story about the Spider Web, in this case, can easily be translated as a Christian story – just as we have Christmas trees in Churches and many other former non-Christian symbols and practices that have, over centuries, been brought into local or universal Catholic practice.

In reading most of the posts on dream catchers, I advise the Non-Natives not to usurp Indigenous Cultural things and ways if they do not know what they are doing or if they have no authority from proper Tribal Elders to these things. Few know the real story of the Anishinabe Ojibwe Spider Web. Dream Catcher is an OK name, but it is not the origins of the story.

 

[RhyannaRose]

I don’t know about you guys, but I sleep best with a Crucifix over my bed.

 

[Tmaque]

I’ve been receiving Native American dreamcatchers in the mail from charity organizations. The “legend” sound very new-agey. Are they OK, or should we throw them out? Thanks

If you think it keeps bad dreams away get rid of it. If you think it’s just cool Native American art, keep it.

 

[child_of_God85]

I have one hanging as decoration. I don’t believe in the whole warding off bad dreams stuff.
I wouldn’t call it evil, and I’m not sure I’d call it pagan either. What difference did the American Indians know. No one taught them about God or Christianity.

 

[Julianna]

Throw them away. Dreamcatchers are a Native American “charm” designed to ward off nightmares. They have absolutely zero application to the Catholic faith and, as with all occult, do not come with a guarantee that the spirits which will guard your dreams aren’t evil in nature.

Really? Charms? How many medals were passed out back in the day…let’s say…1940’s 1950’s…before “thinking” people realized they were junk superstition. I am referring to the bits of cloth said to be from a saints garment, or a piece of wood from the cross of Christ, or water from a spring deemed holy, sealed onto a medal to be worn around the neck. My grandmother and aunts had a slew of them. All superstitious nonsense, they were found to be fakes,…no kidding. A dreamcatcher is akin to what I just stated. A part of a cultural religion. Now it is a decorative item, totally harmless.

Again, another Starbucks thread…outta control.

 

[child_of_God85]

The original name and purpose of what non-Natives call Dream Catchers is actually a story about the spider. Web imitates a spider web. The story reminds people that they have gone bad and have forgotten the way to live in peace. The lessons of the story about the Spider Web, in this case, can easily be translated as a Christian story – just as we have Christmas trees in Churches and many other former non-Christian symbols and practices that have, over centuries, been brought into local or universal Catholic practice.

In reading most of the posts on dream catchers, I advise the Non-Natives not to usurp Indigenous Cultural things and ways if they do not know what they are doing or if they have no authority from proper Tribal Elders to these things. Few know the real story of the Anishinabe Ojibwe Spider Web. Dream Catcher is an OK name, but it is not the origins of the story.

Very well put.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

If you think it keeps bad dreams away get rid of it. If you think it’s just cool Native American art, keep it.

Reply - Native Americans and Indigenous culture or traditions are not New Age. However, many New Age movements steal our cultural trappings and misuse them. They do not know what these are about. I repeat - the term “Dream Catcher” is a Non-Native term. These are not dreamland charms. There is a story most of you have never heard. It is about how the People turned from God’s ways, and how God took mercy on mankind and again taught us how to live in peace and for one another. I do not advocate non-Native use of these Spider Webs (what you call a Dream Catcher). I don’t mind if you want one or recieve one, but it is not your culture and you don’t know anything about them.
The real history of these webs is a reminder to live by God’s ways. It would take to long in this forum to explain that. By the way, I live in a monastery and you can bet I have a Crusifix over my bed. I also make dream catchers, but I don’t use them for fund raising, nor for sweet dreams, nor do I give them to people who don’t know what they are.

 

[child_of_God85]

Reply - Native Americans and Indigenous culture or traditions are not New Age. However, many New Age movements steal our cultural trappings and misuse them. They do not know what these are about. I repeat - the term “Dream Catcher” is a Non-Native term. These are not dreamland charms. There is a story most of you have never heard. It is about how the People turned from God’s ways, and how God took mercy on mankind and again taught us how to live in peace and for one another. I do not advocate non-Native use of these Spider Webs (what you call a Dream Catcher). I don’t mind if you want one or recieve one, but it is not your culture and you don’t know anything about them.
The real history of these webs is a reminder to live by God’s ways. It would take to long in this forum to explain that. By the way, I live in a monastery and you can bet I have a Crusifix over my bed. I also make dream catchers, but I don’t use them for fund raising, nor for sweet dreams, nor do I give them to people who don’t know what they are.

Thats really fasinating. I have a new appreciation for them now that I know the true meaning. Their not just a pretty decoration anymore.

 

[Proletarian]

I’ve been receiving Native American dreamcatchers in the mail from charity organizations. The “legend” sound very new-agey. Are they OK, or should we throw them out? Thanks

Not evil, just useless

 

[Renton405]

I’ve been receiving Native American dreamcatchers in the mail from charity organizations. The “legend” sound very new-agey. Are they OK, or should we throw them out? Thanks

Yes, any type of American Indian “religion” or culture is a heresy and should be avoided… Many have very pagan-like worship(worshipping animals, wolves) and occult type ceremonies… There is also a saftey issue because many Reservations have very high crime rates and high alcoholism…

 

[Julianna]

Yes, any type of American Indian “religion” or culture is a heresy a matter of opinionand should be avoided…avoided by whom? and how will you know if I have dream catcher in my home? peeking through the windows? Many have very pagan-like worship(worshipping animals, wolves) and occult type ceremonies.If it weren’t for the Indians in this country, the Pilgrims would have died out during the first winter. There is also a saftey issue because many Reservations have very high crime rates so do large cities in all over America, are those cities filled with Native Americans?and high alcoholism look no further than two rows down in your own parish, and you will find alcoholics.…

Unbelieveable, just unbelievable. Dare to think for yourself.

 

[st_lucy]

Yes, any type of American Indian “religion” or culture is a heresy and should be avoided… Many have very pagan-like worship(worshipping animals, wolves) and occult type ceremonies… There is also a saftey issue because many Reservations have very high crime rates and high alcoholism…

What a horrible thing to say! How many native american’s do you know? I find your statement on a whole group of people appalling and very unchristian. There is so much wrong with your statement that I don’t even know where to start. SO I wont, I will just ask you to try using some common sense next time you try to form an opinion on a WHOLE group of people.

 

[child_of_God85]

Yes, any type of American Indian “religion” or culture is a heresy and should be avoided… Many have very pagan-like worship(worshipping animals, wolves) and occult type ceremonies… There is also a saftey issue because many Reservations have very high crime rates and high alcoholism…

Hmmm, by reading your post it doesn’t sound like you know a whole lot about American Idians.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

Hmmm, by reading your post it doesn’t sound like you know a whole lot about American Idians.

Dear Child of God: I am also a Child of God, Most of what you wrote I am familiar with. I have heard it my whole life. I am responding to your final sentence in which you say it sounds like I do not know a whole lot about American Indians.
I am an American Indian.

 

[Br_Joshua_Seidl]

Blessings to all. I am Bro. Joshua. I really like this forum. The issue on Dream Catchers amazes me that it could go on and on so. I appreciate the support given, but I also ask that this does not become a cultural dispute. I already told the one member who thought I knew nothing about American Indians that I am Native American.

The late Pope John Paul II issued several documents and speaches promoting Indigenous cultures within the Catholic Church. These can be found on the Vatican Web site, Type in “Indigenous” or other words such as “inculturation,” or “Native People” and you will find a large selection of his works to chose from.

I think it is a good idea not to bother with the trappings of another culture if you are suspicious of the traditions. Personaly, I don’t think it a good idea when some folks make a novelty of my culture as is done many times with these Spider Webs (dream catchers) and with the traditional sacred symbols of ours used in racist sports mascots and logos.

 

[jrnami]

Of course they aren’t evil. They are just a part of certain Native folklore, they used them to help encourage happy dreams. Why are people so paranoid about traditions from other cultures?

 

[child_of_God85]

Dear Child of God: I am also a Child of God, Most of what you wrote I am familiar with. I have heard it my whole life. I am responding to your final sentence in which you say it sounds like I do not know a whole lot about American Indians.
I am an American Indian.

I was actually talking about Renton405. Your the only one on this thread that knows what he’s talking about, so your the last person I’d ever say didn’t know anything about American Indian culture.
I still stand by what I said about Renton405.
Sorry about the confusion

 

[child_of_God85]

My father actually is part American Indian, just wanted to share that.

 

[Aramis]

Progressive? Traditional? Hahahaha. No.

Ahem.

There is Catholic. And there is non-Catholic.

Catholicism infused with “majik” or “New Age” or “Voodoo” or whatever is not Catholicism anymore. It’s paganism with a Catholic veneer.

The First Commandment forbids us to have anything to do with anything that makes a “god” out of nature, or engravings or has to do with magic and divination and spells.

So, I take it you do not decorate easter eggs, celebrate easter under that name (both derived directly from Eoster, a pagan spring holiday), have Christmas trees nor wreaths, decorate with holly and mistletoe (both from Germanic pagan midwinter celebrations), use several of the modern month names (January is from Janus, June from Juno, July from Julius, August from Augustus), use the days of the week (Monday=Moondaeg, Tuesday=Tiewsdaeg, Wednesday=Wotansdaeg, Thursday=Thorsdaeg, Friday=Friggdaeg or Freysdaeg, Saturday= Saturns Day, Sunday= Sun’s Day).

These are all pagan inheritances that are incorporated over the centuries into both east and west (to varying degrees).