Are dream catchers an idol?

[friend of]

Is this type of thing idolatry in some form? One expects something inert to hold metaphysical properties of some kind. I think it Is, what about you?

 

[AvgJoe]

An idol can be anything we place ahead of God in our lives, anything that takes God’s place in our hearts, such as possessions, careers, relationships, hobbies, sports, entertainment, goals, greed, addictions to alcohol/drugs/gambling/pornography, etc. If you're somehow placing that dreamcatcher before God, then yes, it's an idol. If you think it has powers of some kind, depending on what you think those powers are, may or may not make the dreamcatcher an idol. If you have the dreamcatcher because you like the way it looks hanging there, then no, it's not an idol.

 

[Albion]

Dream catchers are an item from another religion. For members of that religion, they might (or might not) be considered idolatrous. But for the Christians I know who have a Dream catcher hanging somewhere, this item is owned merely as a curiosity.

 

[salt-n-light]

Its a superstitious item, but not an idol unless you uphold its importance that highly, especially above God.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Idols, depends. Sinful, yes. They are come from american-indian beliefs and no christian should have one.

 

[Hank77]

We have a decorative dream catcher hanging on our wall. We also have a beautiful oil painting of an Indian village by a creek with horses drinking from the creek. Both of them are decorative and have no religious significance to us. However we do admire some of the Native American culture, especially their many forms of artwork.

 

[Saucy]

If decorative and perhaps even is a recognition of ancestry, then no big deal. If you believe it works and/or has a special connection to Native religion, then yes.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I put yes on the survey as there wasn't a better option. I somewhat agree with some of the other posters that it is a belief issue, however, ask yourself if you would have a Ouija board on your coffee table as a "curiosity".

Personally, when I became a Christian and learned of the possibility of these dream catchers being a portal for evil spirits into my home, I took them out side and burned them. Better safe than sorry in my mind...

 

[LoricaLady]

Is this type of thing idolatry in some form? One expects something inert to hold metaphysical properties of some kind. I think it Is, what about you?

Yes, they are absolutely pagan, from unconverted Native Americans practicing their religion. The Bible tells us not to have pagan things in our homes. Ditch it.

 

[HTacianas]

Is this type of thing idolatry in some form? One expects something inert to hold metaphysical properties of some kind. I think it Is, what about you?

If it's something you keep only for decoration, no.

 

[dreadnought]

Is this type of thing idolatry in some form? One expects something inert to hold metaphysical properties of some kind. I think it Is, what about you?

A dreamcatcher, if I understand what you are talking about, would be a Satanic thing.

 

[Job3315]

Is this type of thing idolatry in some form? One expects something inert to hold metaphysical properties of some kind. I think it Is, what about you?

I never owned one. I always felt the Lord is the one who gives me dreams, I don’t think I need any assistance. I’ve heard of people placing a glass of water next to their nightstand. I never did that either unless I needed water overnight, but it didn’t have any symbolism.

In my experience, the Lord is fast in showing me if I have an idol/if something is taking His place in my heart.

 

[JIMINZ]

An idol can be anything we place ahead of God in our lives, anything that takes God’s place in our hearts, such as possessions, careers, relationships, hobbies, sports, entertainment, goals, greed, addictions to alcohol/drugs/gambling/pornography, etc. If you're somehow placing that dreamcatcher before God, then yes, it's an idol. If you think it has powers of some kind, depending on what you think those powers are, may or may not make the dreamcatcher an idol. If you have the dreamcatcher because you like the way it looks hanging there, then no, it's not an idol.

Are you saying that if someone had statues of Vishnu, Krishna, Buddha in their house because they liked the way they looked, than you would be cool with that?

 

[AvgJoe]

Are you saying that if someone had statues of Vishnu, Krishna, Buddha in their house because they liked the way they looked, than you would be cool with that?

To my knowledge of dreamcatchers, which is limited, they are not worshipped as a deity, are they?

 

[JIMINZ]

To my knowledge of dreamcatchers, which is limited, they are not worshipped as a deity, are they?

.
Here's the thing.

Dreamcatcher is a powerful amulet that symbolically shows us the circles of life

Purpose & Meaning of the Dream Catcher. Sometimes referred to as "Sacred Hoops," Ojibwe dreamcatchers were traditionally used as talismans to protect sleeping people, usually children, from bad dreams and nightmares. Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams, both good and bad.

The shape of the dreamcatcher is a circle because it represents the circle of life and how forces like the sun and moon travel each day and night across the sky. The dream catcher web catches the bad dreams during the night and dispose of them when the day comes.

Web, Feathers & Beads. All parts of the authentic Native American dreamcatcher have meaning tied to the natural world. ... Others believe the beads symbolize the good dreams that could not pass through the web, immortalized in the form of sacred charms.

These types of things come from another Religion, there are Spiritual things which come with the item that you should not want in your house.

Personally I would not have one in my house.

It isn't a matter of your ever worshiping these items, but it is a matter of what they DO represent, and as a Christian it would be like playing with fire, literally.

 

[Albion]

.

It isn't a matter of your ever worshiping these items....

Then there is nothing more that needs to be said about this.

 

[AvgJoe]

.
Here's the thing.

Dreamcatcher is a powerful amulet that symbolically shows us the circles of life

Purpose & Meaning of the Dream Catcher. Sometimes referred to as "Sacred Hoops," Ojibwe dreamcatchers were traditionally used as talismans to protect sleeping people, usually children, from bad dreams and nightmares. Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams, both good and bad.

The shape of the dreamcatcher is a circle because it represents the circle of life and how forces like the sun and moon travel each day and night across the sky. The dream catcher web catches the bad dreams during the night and dispose of them when the day comes.

Web, Feathers & Beads. All parts of the authentic Native American dreamcatcher have meaning tied to the natural world. ... Others believe the beads symbolize the good dreams that could not pass through the web, immortalized in the form of sacred charms.

These types of things come from another Religion, there are Spiritual things which come with the item that you should not want in your house.

Personally I would not have one in my house.

It isn't a matter of your ever worshiping these items, but it is a matter of what they DO represent, and as a Christian it would be like playing with fire, literally.

Thanks for the explanation. To me, this is nothing more than keeping a nightlight on for a child, as they sleep, to keep the boogeyman away.

In light of Paul's handling of eating food sacrificed to idols, in 1 Corinthians 8, I'm convinced that a dreamcatcher is nothing more than the materials it is made of, doesn't have any special powers, was not worshipped as a deity and I see no problem with hanging one in my house or car. Also in line with Paul's teaching, the conviction of your conscience is against having a dreamcatcher anywhere, and that is perfectly fine for you to feel that way, and, according to Paul's teaching, would be a sin for you if you were to have one because you would be violating your conscience. Also in line with Paul's teaching, if you were coming to my house or was going to be riding in my car, and I knew of your conviction about dreamcatchers, I would take it down and put it out of sight.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

So sad so many teach flash teachings and twist the scripture to fit their sin so its "ok to do so". Would you have an image of a pentagram in your house because its "just art" or "just a symbol". Of course not. A dreamcatcher is used to manipulate the spirit world, its a talisman.

Some argue "If you don't feel convicted, then its not a sin!". Well some "christians" have raped kids and feel no conviction. Thus it must not be a sin then right? You can say "But thats different, the bible condones such things!". True, the bible also condones idolatry and owning things that other religions use as part of their magical beliefs.

Me? I used to own a cheap knock off vase of egyptian stuff on it. One of said symbols on it was the eye of ra. I never felt convicted about it either until after a few visits by various people, including two pastors, they questioned it. Ever since I got rid of it feels like life is a bit better now. I may have just seen it as historical art, but it was still something that was worshiped by others and therefor the devil had power over it.

In the end even if you yourself don't feel convicted. We must remember we are lights in the dark. We must ask "What would someone whos seeing it think of me or christianity?". To a non-christian they would assume christians were hypocritical jokes since we act righteous but have things the bible talks about as bad. I'd also say to anyone that has a dreamcatcher, if you think its not a big deal then I challenge you to bring it to church with you and let everyone see it. Including your pastor.

When we stand before God we have to answer for everything. Including why we owned what we did and we will be told what others thought of the things we did. I'm so glad I no longer have to answer to God for having that vase anymore.

 

[LoricaLady]

error

 

[Albion]

If a Christian uses them in worship or attributes powers to such artifacts, then of course ditching them would be the thing to do. I know people who have dream catchers, but none of them would think of using them in that way. And by the way, if we were to ditch every article that a pagan had used at some time in the past, we would be cleaning house. But as we know, very few people are objecting to owning candles, baskets, flowers, or a hundred other such objects.