Sunday, November 22, 2015

Are Dream Catchers Proper?

In this blog I hope to convey the paranormal aspects of those who use Dream catchers.  I have been inside the homes of people who have this for what they believe help with aspects of ‘blessings and protection’ as they have conveyed to me.

According to Wikipedia the Dream catchers have long been a part of Native American religion, lore, and art, originating with the Ojibwe, or Chippewa, and the Lakota, a confederation of seven Sioux tribes.   In some Native American cultures, a dreamcatcher (or dream catcher; Lakota: iháŋbla gmunka, Ojibwe: asabikeshiinh, the inanimate form of the word for "spider" or Ojibwe: bawaajige nagwaagan meaning "dream snare") is a handmade object based on a willow hoop, on which is woven a loose net or web. The dreamcatcher is then decorated with sacred items such as feathers and beads from the base of the circle.

The Ojibwe people have an ancient legend about the origin of the dreamcatcher.  Storytellers speak of the Spider Woman, known as Asibikaashi; she took care of the children and the people on the land. Eventually, the Ojibwe Nation spread to the corners of North America and it became difficult for Asibikaashi to reach all the children. So the mothers and grandmothers would weave magical webs for the children, using willow hoops and sinew, or cordage made from plants.

As one might suspect, the purpose of a dream catcher is to catch dreams—that is, to trap bad or evil dreams and channel good dreams to the sleeper. Dream catchers are usually placed in a window or above the bed, allowing the good dreams to drip down the feathers onto the sleeper below.

So do you see what this says above regarding the lore?  A spider woman who took care of children, really?  Does anyone with a sense of logic even see this?  Sounds very creepy and eerie to me with nothing more than a demonic force which is behind this aspect.  Especially if those of Native American heritage know of God and HIS son the Lord Jesus Christ.  Which makes this even worse for those who would even own or put ‘faith’ into this cursed object because of the intention of ‘magical’ aspects.

Essentially, the Dream catcher is intended to manipulate the spirit world.  Really, an object to manipulate the spirit world?  Why not then just hang an Ouija board over your bed or window to ask for some ‘magical’ aspect to protect you?  What I am doing here is making light of the dangers of using something like this within your life let alone your home.

Some people believe in the efficacy of Dream Catchers while others are unsure but are superstitious enough to keep one in the bedroom.  If you are Christian you are not to have anything to do with superstitions.  Others see dream catchers as part of a cultural history or a piece of art which looks good in their home or dangling from a rear-view mirror of an automobile!  These are not art, these are very powerful pieces of demonic objects which give demonic forces the rights to be in your presence and home.

Therefore, knowing the background of what Dream Catchers are about and their talisman-like use, people who profess Christ Jesus in their lives are to have nothing to do with them.  Is such concern warranted about this object?  Let’s examine a passage found in the Bible.  In 1 Corinthians 8 we find the apostle Paul is speaking to Christians living in an extremely pagan culture ruled by superstition, magic, and sacrifices, all done in the name of various idols.  The sacrifices were a particular concern, for the meat sacrificed was then sold at market.  Some Christians felt eating sacrificed meat was endorsing the sacrifice and therefore inappropriate for a Christian; others believed that, since they were not worshiping the idol themselves, it was not wrong.

So what did the Apostle Paul’s guidance offer these people?  Here is what the guidance implies: “There may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God. . . . However, not all possess this knowledge.  But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:5–7).

Ultimately, “food will not commend us to God.  We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do,” yet we must be careful “that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1 Corinthians 8:8, 9).  Just as it was with meat associated with idolatry in the 1st century, so it is with superstitious objects that we have today like a ‘Dream Catcher’.

The Christian needs to understand that false gods are nothing and that a Dream Catcher has no power in itself. Therefore the believer in Christ Jesus could easily see a Dream Catcher as nothing more than a craft or a cultural expression of ancestry.  However, before one buys a Dream Catcher and hangs it in the window, one should consider other people’s reactions to such an object.  The question becomes – “will others see it as a charm to manipulate the spirit world?”  Will someone assume the one in possession of a Dream Catcher approves of Indian religions (of pagan origins) but yet professes Christ Jesus as the Savior?

Keeping a dream catcher is a matter of conscience or free will.  Therefore as long as it is not used as a good luck charm, it might be innocent enough to some. However, consideration must be given to the very origins relating to a ‘Spider Woman’ protecting infants and young children.  To me that sounds like nothing more than Witchcraft dressed up to appear righteous.

Therefore if you are a person who has one of these objects within their home or life you just might want to reconsider. "The Dream Catchers" are often associated with the New Age movement, which is very un-Christian like.  If one truly holds to the mythology associated with Dream Catchers, I believe it very unwise to have one.

In a nutshell, one is assigning God-like power to an object. Therefore putting a created object ahead of God Almighty who created all, therefore is a sin (Rom 1:25). In essence, it is making that object an idol and can apply to all sorts of objects such as: amulets, tarot cards, crystals, horoscopes, ouija boards, a talisman, etc...

While many of you may scoff at this, I believe these things can and will open a door to evil spirits. Many Christians have reported this happening over the years.  Regarding Dream Catchers specifically, one can read testimonies from some Christians who have hung these things in their bedrooms or in other areas of their homes and had terrible nightmares as a result of this action.  Those who actually believe in the power of Dream Catchers believe they can ‘manipulate the spirit world’ and stop ‘negative energy.’  Don't you think it might be dangerous to associate with things found in the "spirit realm?"

Rev. Brad Luoma, A.A.E. Exorcist and Deliverance Minister