Question about "Dream Catchers"

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Teelynn

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Hi all,
Haven’t had any time to post in quite a while…maybe now after my grandkids go back to school from Christmas break, I will have a “little bit” of time:) Hoping you have all had a most Blessed Christmas season and an equally Blessed 2014!

Anyway, a question that has been haunting me for some time now is one about “Dream Catchers”. A Catholic organization sent me one a while back and the grandkids seem to love it, but after reading about the origin and what the purpose of a dream catcher is, I am somewhat skeptical. It really seems occult to me. I’ve read the purpose is to “catch” the bad dreams and only let through the good ones, and also to WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS? It seems like a pagan practice but??? Seems like a few Catholic groups are adopting the practice and making them for their fund raisers etc., which I am having a hard time understanding. Seems as though it goes against the grain when it comes to Catholic teaching… and has a real “new age” spirituality attached to it…Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hope btw, that I am posting this in the right forum. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut that is always so helpful.

Teelynn
 
Dream Catchers are a Native American item of superstition which some believe catches nightmares or evil spirits and protects the person as they sleep. I would not consider it an appropriate thing for a christian household used in the context of a protective talisman, but many people use them as decorations with no spiritual connotation attached to them.

I would pray. Should God guide you to not have it, I would not have it. May God bless you.
 
We made them in the third grade to learn about Native American culture. I had it hanging in the house for many years, as a decoration. I did not believe that it would really catch the dreams. I also was rather uneducated about the occult and paganism during my younger years.

I am shocked that a CATHOLIC organization would send you one. It does sound really pagan. I do not think that it is a morally right thing to do or believe in. I would speak to a priest (preferably a well-educated one or an exorcist) about it, but to err on the side of extreme caution I would think the correct thing to do would be to get rid of it.
 
I learned to make them in Girl Scouts. They are supposedly a Native American tradition. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with having them as a cute decoration with an amusing story behind it. I don’t see any danger unless you start praying to Native American gods.
 
Teelynn said:
Hi all,
Haven’t had any time to post in quite a while…maybe now after my grandkids go back to school from Christmas break, I will have a “little bit” of time:) Hoping you have all had a most Blessed Christmas season and an equally Blessed 2014!

Anyway, a question that has been haunting me for some time now is one about “Dream Catchers”. A Catholic organization sent me one a while back and the grandkids seem to love it, but after reading about the origin and what the purpose of a dream catcher is, I am somewhat skeptical. It really seems occult to me. I’ve read the purpose is to “catch” the bad dreams and only let through the good ones, and also to WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS? It seems like a pagan practice but??? Seems like a few Catholic groups are adopting the practice and making them for their fund raisers etc., which I am having a hard time understanding. Seems as though it goes against the grain when it comes to Catholic teaching… and has a real “new age” spirituality attached to it…Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hope btw, that I am posting this in the right forum. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut that is always so helpful.

Teelynn
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There is nothing “new age” about dream catchers as they originated as an Ojibwe tradition.

Where did you read about the purpose of a dream catcher? From the organization? If so, I believe they are sharing the belief within the native American culture and not suggesting that you embrace the practice. It is a good thing that a Catholic organization is helping Native Americans preserve their culture instead of punishing them for speaking their language or practicing aspects of their culture which has happened.
MonikaBarbara said:
We made them in the third grade to learn about Native American culture. I had it hanging in the house for many years, as a decoration. I did not believe that it would really catch the dreams. I also was rather uneducated about the occult and paganism during my younger years.

I am shocked that a CATHOLIC organization would send you one. It does sound really pagan. I do not think that it is a morally right thing to do or believe in. I would speak to a priest (preferably a well-educated one or an exorcist) about it, but to err on the side of extreme caution I would think the correct thing to do would be to get rid of it.
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I would be willing to bet that the Catholic organization is St. Joseph Indian School. The “gift” is meant to be a reminder to the donor of the mission that he is supporting. It can also be an opportunity to promote the organization.

See here about Lakota culture and here about the dream catcher. There is no need to get rid of it.
 
I’d get rid of it. It’s apart of a pagan religion, it isn’t just “cultural.” Replace it with a crucifix and some holy water to bless them with before they go to sleep. Even if you are not meaning to open the door to something evil, keeping items of pagan religions in the house can’t lead to anything positive. At best, it does nothing (or is a placebo) at worst it opens your home to the demonic. Sadly, there are “Catholic” organizations that will support just about anything including things condemned by the Church (Reiki, Centering Prayer, Abortion, etc). Just my two cents.
 
only one tribe subscribed to this legend. and that’s all it is to them, a legend. it has to do with an old village woman who used to comfort children when they had bad dreams and when she died, they started making the webs so she could reach the children. kind of akin to the tooth fairy in my opinion.

for some other tribessee it simply as a symbol of unity and the rest have abandoned it altogether because they think it’s been overcommercialized.

i was praying about the same issue at mass not too long ago and during the consecration this is the answer i god “a thing is not pagan by origin, if it is an object, it is neutral, it just depends what yo plan to do with it. things are not always what they seem. does a dreamcatcher not remind you of the catholic church? the bead in the middle representing Christ, the web representing the different rites spreading out and the woodern ring holding it together, unifying it in to one church.”

i have 2 of them personally, they are nice decorations. unless you start believing in the legend or attributing magical powers to them, i don’t see any problems. but if you still have misgivings, pray about it. some wood and string and beads are not automatically pagan and the church has adopted certain things that used to have pagan associations as well
 
I have always had one above my bed for years, until now since I don’t have my bed at the moment. They are part of a Native American tradition/practice, but I’ve always used mine for decoration only. I personally wouldn’t recommend getting one just to “catch dreams,” but if it’s just for decoration purposes, I don’t really see anything wrong with that. Why a Catholic company would send you one is beyond me. 🤷
 
I would get rid of it, replace it with a crucifix and have the house blessed by the Priest. 🙂

I’m not saying they are really, really bad. I’m just saying that we are advised to stay away from anything that is superstitious and this is particularly evident in the teachings of the Church (in the Catechism).

I’m saying get your House blessed because we need to keep doing this, keep blessing our houses and children, keeping Holy Water at hand and praying the rosary as often as we can. Get your house blessed anyway!

And an a happier note, for everyone, as always…
GO TO CONFESSION!

God Bless! 👍
 
Teelynn said:
Hi all,
Haven’t had any time to post in quite a while…maybe now after my grandkids go back to school from Christmas break, I will have a “little bit” of time:) Hoping you have all had a most Blessed Christmas season and an equally Blessed 2014!

Anyway, a question that has been haunting me for some time now is one about “Dream Catchers”. A Catholic organization sent me one a while back and the grandkids seem to love it, but after reading about the origin and what the purpose of a dream catcher is, I am somewhat skeptical. It really seems occult to me. I’ve read the purpose is to “catch” the bad dreams and only let through the good ones, and also to WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS? It seems like a pagan practice but??? Seems like a few Catholic groups are adopting the practice and making them for their fund raisers etc., which I am having a hard time understanding. Seems as though it goes against the grain when it comes to Catholic teaching… and has a real “new age” spirituality attached to it…Anyone have any thoughts on this? I hope btw, that I am posting this in the right forum. Thanks for your (name removed by moderator)ut that is always so helpful.

Teelynn
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Please throw that occult thing away if you know what is good for you! Keep crucifixes and holy images in your home and nothing heathen. God bless you.
 
I wouldn’t overreact to this thing. It’s not an occult thing as other posters seem to think. It’s based on a Native American legend. That’s all. If there are some new age people who have made it into more than it is, then they have just made up a story. And yes, there is at least one Catholic organization that sends these out - and they work with Native American children so the dream catcher story is part of their culture.
 
Sunbreak said:
I wouldn’t overreact to this thing. It’s not an occult thing as other posters seem to think. It’s based on a Native American legend. That’s all. If there are some new age people who have made it into more than it is, then they have just made up a story. And yes, there is at least one Catholic organization that sends these out - and they work with Native American children so the dream catcher story is part of their culture.
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👍
 
angell1 said:
only one tribe subscribed to this legend. and that’s all it is to them, a legend. it has to do with an old village woman who used to comfort children when they had bad dreams and when she died, they started making the webs so she could reach the children. kind of akin to the tooth fairy in my opinion.

for some other tribessee it simply as a symbol of unity and the rest have abandoned it altogether because they think it’s been overcommercialized.

i was praying about the same issue at mass not too long ago and during the consecration this is the answer i god “a thing is not pagan by origin, if it is an object, it is neutral, it just depends what yo plan to do with it. things are not always what they seem. does a dreamcatcher not remind you of the catholic church? the bead in the middle representing Christ, the web representing the different rites spreading out and the woodern ring holding it together, unifying it in to one church.”

i have 2 of them personally, they are nice decorations. unless you start believing in the legend or attributing magical powers to them, i don’t see any problems. but if you still have misgivings, pray about it. some wood and string and beads are not automatically pagan and the church has adopted certain things that used to have pagan associations as well
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👍
 
Thank you for your common sense response, Sunbreak. 🙂

Some of the comments here have made me sad. That is all that I am going to say. I am of Native American ancestry.
 
Thank you and Happy and Holy Christmas to you too.
Looking at the state of the Catholic Church in America, I am not surprised that a Catholic organisation is raising funds by selling pagan totems.
I think they are quite pretty and harmless if you don’t attach the superstition to it.
I would not have one in my house. I prefer a picture of the Sacred Heart. I share your concerns but am not surprised.
May this year be the best of all your past years and the worst of all future years for you and yours in Christ.
 
As an object and it’s spiritual connotations it may be classified as a form of idolatry. Even if used as a form of decoration only in your home, one has to consider what visitors to your home think and the message you are conveying.

The other concern to consider is what spiritual intent was placed on the dream catcher by it’s maker. I have heard of negative experiences by those who have had them in their homes.
 
TheHolyTrinity said:
As an object and it’s spiritual connotations it may be classified as a form of idolatry. Even if used as a form of decoration only in your home, one has to consider what visitors to your home think and the message you are conveying.

The other concern to consider is what spiritual intent was placed on the dream catcher by it’s maker. I have heard of negative experiences by those who have had them in their homes.
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I, too, have heard of negative experiences associated with those occult dream-catchers. They actually have had the opposite effect on dreams as is supposedly designed for, I have heard. God bless you.
 
ready said:
I, too, have heard of negative experiences associated with those occult dream-catchers. They actually have had the opposite effect on dreams as is supposedly designed for, I have heard. God bless you.
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Isn’t this belief itself within the realm of the occult?

Either dream catchers have occult powers… which is in direct contradiction to Church teaching, or they’re just an inanimate object.

By saying dream catchers have a negative effect, you are attributing to them occult powers. This is against Church teaching on superstition.

They are inanimate objects, period. To believe otherwise (whether the effect is positive or negative) is to delve into the occult.

It’s OK to admire the artistic skill in fabricating one. It’s OK to recognize the cultural significance of dream catchers. It’s OK to think they’re either attractive, or ugly as sin. It’s not OK to think they have any kind of magic powers.
 
OraLabora said:
Isn’t this belief itself within the realm of the occult?

Either dream catchers have occult powers… which is in direct contradiction to Church teaching, or they’re just an inanimate object.

By saying dream catchers have a negative effect, you are attributing to them occult powers. This is against Church teaching on superstition.

They are inanimate objects, period. To believe otherwise (whether the effect is positive or negative) is to delve into the occult.

It’s OK to admire the artistic skill in fabricating one. It’s OK to recognize the cultural significance of dream catchers. It’s OK to think they’re either attractive, or ugly as sin. It’s not OK to think they have any kind of magic powers.
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The Church recognizes the reality of the Demonic. She doesn’t teach that pagan artifacts are necessarily morally neutral. The Church’s teaching on superstition is more nuanced than you are presenting it. From the CCC (paragraph 2111)

Superstition is the deviation of religious feeling and of the practices this feeling imposes. It can even affect the worship we offer the true God, e.g., when one attributes an importance in some way magical to certain practices otherwise lawful or necessary. To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition.

Having signs and symbols of non-Catholic religions can also lead to Scandal, which ought to be avoided at all costs. Again from the CCC

Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. (2284)

Finally, treating the religious artifacts of another religion as mere decorations is insulting to the people that genuinely believe in that religion and can be an impediment to inter-religious dialog (how would we feel as Catholics by people having Crucifixes in their homes as mere decorations?)

All in all, the “dream catcher” seems to have little going for it and many reasons to not have one in the home.
 
PietroPaolo said:
Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. (2284)

Finally, treating the religious artifacts of another religion as mere decorations is insulting to the people that genuinely believe in that religion and can be an impediment to inter-religious dialog (how would we feel as Catholics by people having Crucifixes in their homes as mere decorations?)
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First of all, I don’t think it’s been confirmed that a dreamcatcher is a religious artifact at all. Based on what I’ve heard, it’s based on a Native American folktale and I don’t know that there’s any evidence that it’s connected with a “dream god” or anything like that.

Secondly, it seems to me that lately the “scandal card” has become the last ditch argument of one who really wants to believe that something is sinful, when they really don’t have a strong argument that it is. In order for scandal to actually apply, the act that the sinner is promoting must be a sin. If one can’t determine that owning a dreamcatcher is actually sinful in all cases, then a person isn’t committing scandal by owning one.

As far as I know, it is not a sin to be a Native American. It is not a sin to appreciate the culture of others. It is not a sin to appreciate the artwork of Native American cultures. It is not a sin to learn about Native American folklore. Therefore, unless someone is trying to sell the idea that these things actually do have an effect on dreams, they are not committing scandal by owning one and using it for decoration.
 
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