Indian Dreamcatchers

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okebubs

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I am part Native American. I joined the Catholic church about three years ago after being married 13 years to a cradle Catholic. I made my kids dreamcatchers when they were little. Mostly as a craft project, but also because they both went through the stage of having bad dreams (like many kids do around 4 & 5) and I thought it was a fun way to make them feel better. They are twelve and eight now and both still hang their dream catchers by their beds and I think they will always treasure them because they know they were made out of love.

Well a friend of mine, who is also the principal at our Catholic school, told me her child was having bad dreams so my daughter and I decided to make him a dream catcher. After spending many hours working on it I got on the Internet tonight so I could print off a neat story about the legend of the dreamcatcher. For us we look at it as a legend and a neat thing to have, not an item with magical spirts or gods. I do think it is great to expose kids to many different religions and ethic differences and teach them that we are to respect other peoples beliefs whether we subscribe to them or not. However, one page I pulled up said the following:

“…dream catchers are a spiritual symbol of a pantheistic, pagan religion. Christians shouldn’t dabble in things associated with pagan religions…If Christians start participating in things which belong to or represent false religions, then they are endorsing other gods and are not wholly devoted to the Lord…”

Source: relationalconcepts.org/Short%20Topics/dream_catchers.htm

We don’t idolize the dreamcatchers, we don’t put heavy hearted faith in them, we just look at them as a neat craft with an interesting legend. However, does the Church or any of you more experienced Catholics have an opinion?
 
Sure, first let me be the first to welcome you to the forum. The dream catcher may seem harmless to you and I, however it is a religious symbol of sorts. Wouldn’t it be better to fashion a cross or any other Christian symbol instead? The question is do you believe the dream catcher actually works? If so you may need to come to terms with how the Church views it. As you described, it seems you feel it harmless, and of no particular “value” other than an incidental from your past religion or history. The question I would ask is why fashion a symbol that is not a Christian symbol? Research a saint and fashion a symbol for the saint instead. Keep in mind we do not “worship” such symbols. I don’t know if I answered your question or not. I’ve personally had these “dreamcatchers”, bought in the south-westr U.S. for the artistic and historic value.
May the peace and love of our Lord, Jesus the Christ, be with you,
Tom
 
I think they can be a reminder of your culture which I don’t think is evil. However, you said you made it because a child was having bad dreams. This might lead the child to believe that a dream catcher might “magically” help this which I think would probably be bad.

We read tales from different cultures quite often. I don’t have a problem with my children hearing of pagan beliefs but I do clarify that they are not real and are more of superstitions. Let’s face it though, dream catchers are making a comeback and many people do believe they have special powers (most not even Native American!).

So basically I’m saying that they’re not evil if you “look at them as a neat craft with an interesting legend” but we do have to realize that some view it as more than a legend and children, especially, are more prone to believe things have magical powers.

I’d suggest holy water! We’ve had good luck with that and countless sents have attested to its true power! 👍
 
Also, I would check out the legend of the dreamcatcher and make sure it is an actual legend as opposed to some 20th century fabrication. You would know about it more than I do, but given that we have seen goofy practices made up from mostly contemporary cloth like Kwanza and the Goddess movement, I wouldn’t take anything like this without a full examination of its origin.

Scott
 
One of my sons has a dreamcatcher that makes him feel better. He is in Catholic school, learning Catholicism. We say our prayers together everyday, go to Mass at least once a week, etc.

I really don’t care if he actually thinks it does anything or not, or if he finds legends associated with it fascinating. When I was little I found it hard to sleep without a particular small blanket on top of my pillow.

Personally I don’t see any big deal in checking out other religions and even having a few of their symbols around, as long as it doesn’t become an idol. Please note that I am speaking of my own opinion and am noted for having different opinions than either mainstream Catholics or orthodox Catholics at any given time. Some, I’m sure, would be nervous about this as if it were some ouija board or something, and to those people I suggest they don’t get one.

Many think that other religions, not being the “true” religion, are invalid and best left alone. I like discussions with people of other religions for several reasons. One, I like to hear what non-Catholic believe because it helps me see Catholicism from the outside, giving me another viewpoint. Second, it builds respect for Catholicism when I show respect to their religion, and third, it can drive them deeper into their own faith and/or become interested in Catholicism. The Catholic Church cooperates with other religions on charitable causes all the time and holds discussions with leaders of them. Why should we in the “trenches” treat each other as if we are afraid of catching the others’ beliefs?

Alan
 
There is nothing wrong with keeping a dream catcher if it is put in proper perspective. I don’t agree that having one is “dabbling in paganism” any more then I believe that playing the tooth fairy for my 2nd grader is going to rob her of her Christianity! :rolleyes:

Be careful of those who want to strip you of the innocent things that represent your culture - no matter what culture you come from. There are many Christian denominations that accuse us catholics of idolatry and paganism for false reasons - statues, scapulars, candles, icons, etc…

Can not a dreamcatcher represent a prayer to the Creator (YES - the one true God) to take away our bad dreams?
 
Alan, you remind me of the situation at one of our local prisons. There is a group of American Indians (50) that worship in a prayer circle. They must have supervision by a chaplain. Often there is not an American Indian chaplain available and the Catholic chaplain has to supervise or they cannot worship. We can be sensitive to other beliefs without sacrificing our own. As the song says, " They will know we are Christians by our love." God bless

Deacon Tony SFO
 
Thank you everyone for your (name removed by moderator)ut…I feel much better now!!
 
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okebubs:
We don’t idolize the dreamcatchers, we don’t put heavy hearted faith in them, we just look at them as a neat craft with an interesting legend. However, does the Church or any of you more experienced Catholics have an opinion?
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I think it’s a beautiful little legend, symbol, whatever you call it, and I see nothing at all wrong with it. It’s most beautiful and creative that you can make them! WOW! And what a neat part of your Native American Heritage too! I just love the Native Americans --they are really very spiritual people and love God very much.

I say don’t believe everything you read. There can always be something “wrong with anything we do”…You know in your heart you don’t worship or idolize them. You are Catholics, and know only God is worthy to be worshipped.

God Bless You~~

P.S. I have about 3 or 4 dreamcatchers in my home too–got them on an Indian Reservation. I think they’re beautiful**
 
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okebubs:
I am part Native American. I joined the Catholic church about three years ago after being married 13 years to a cradle Catholic. I made my kids dreamcatchers when they were little. Mostly as a craft project, but also because they both went through the stage of having bad dreams (like many kids do around 4 & 5) and I thought it was a fun way to make them feel better. They are twelve and eight now and both still hang their dream catchers by their beds and I think they will always treasure them because they know they were made out of love.
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I think it is beautiful to keep alive something from your ethnic heritage to pass on to your children. If the dreamcatchers help them to sleep better at night, what harm could it bring? It is no different then a parent fashioning a fancy box and telling their child to put their bad dreams in the box. It is a wonderful tool to help them get control of their fears. Good for you.

I think it is in the Mexican tradition to have worry dolls. My family is not Mexican but my sister just loved those little dolls and she would give them to her daughters to help them with their “worries”. They are still practicing Catholics. It did not change them into pagans or anything like like.
 
I’m so glad to see this thread. My parent’s brought our kids dream catchers a while back. I hung them up in their rooms but didn’t say much about them to the kids. I wasn’t sure if it was anti Christian or not. They all have crucifixes and many other religious things in their rooms. They do think the dream catchers are cool, though. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this! 🙂
 
Does anyone know of any scholarly archeological/anthropological, etc. studies of the origins of the dreamcatcher? I would be interested to see when they first appear on the scene.

Scott
 
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