Are dream catchers an idol?

Are dream-catchers an idol?

  • Yes

    Votes: 14 35.0%
  • No

    Votes: 19 47.5%
  • Unsure

    Votes: 7 17.5%

  • Total voters
    40

Hank77

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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.
Got Questions say much of the same thing you have said.
https://www.gotquestions.org/dream-catcher-Christian.html
 
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GingerBeer

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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?
Dream catchers are (1) an ornament. But if a person believes the myths around them then they are (2) objects of superstitious pagan belief. They are in the same category as Horoscopes and lucky charms.
 
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Strong in Him

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Is this type of thing idolatry in some form?

Only if you let it be, and spend heaps of time, and money on them, or sit under them and worship some mystical and unknown power.

I had a friend once who was certain that wind chimes were occultic.
I don't know what they are to other people, but wind chimes, to me, are bells or pieces of metal that knock against one another when the wind blows and sound quite pretty. I can't see why they would be any more occultic than bells on an animal's collar or in a bird cage.

But I guess if you have someone who is superstitious, fearful and/or who has dabbled in the occult, they may believe that they are unhealthy, and so their position needs to be respected.
It reminds me of the passage from 1 Corinthians 8, where he says, basically, that meat is fine to eat if it has been offered to an idol, because an idol is nothing. But if someone believes otherwise, and seeing you eat meat would lead them into sin; don't do it.
I used to have wind chimes in our house, but I took them down whenever my friend came to visit.
 
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Kersh

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No, an idol is something that is not God, but is intended to be worshipped as a god. Even when used in the context of Native American worship practices, I don't believe that a dreamcatcher is used in this way. Although it may sometimes be used as an instrument in the worship of idols, it is not in itself an "idol", as it is not itself an object to be worshipped.

But, is it wrong for Christians to possess, display, or use dreamcatchers? I would view this as a clear example of a Romans 14 issue. If your conscience bothers you when you use or see a dreamcatcher, stay away. If you know that a brother or sister is bothered by it, avoid it. But, if it doesn't bother you, and you have no reason to believe that it is bothering another believer (or confusing a non-believer (see, e.g., 1 Cor. 10:23-33)), then don't worry about it.
 
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friend of

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But I guess if you have someone who is superstitious, fearful and/or who has dabbled in the occult, they may believe that they are unhealthy, and so their position needs to be respected.

Sort of like an "if your use of a dream-catcher causes a fellow christian to stumble" then you shouldn't have it, sort of thing?

basically, that meat is fine to eat if it has been offered to an idol, because an idol is nothing.

Actually, scripture says if said meat is offered to an idol then the Christian should Not partake in eating it because of the intention behind such a feast.
 
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Kersh

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Actually, scripture says if said meat is offered to an idol then the Christian should Not partake in eating it because of the intention behind such a feast.

Not quite, but close. It basically says that you have no obligation to educate yourself about any possible connection to idols. But, if someone, presumably a pagan, makes a point of letting you know the spiritual significance, you should avoid it, not as a matter of your own conscience, nor because there is anything wrong with the meat, but because of the message that it sends to the pagan who offered it to you. The problem with that passage is that it is specific to an issue that persisted in 1st Century Corinth. It can be tricky to apply the principle to other situations in 21st Century America. For the present discussion, I would apply it as suggesting that, if another person attaches a spiritual significance to dreamcatchers, avoid them in their presence, for the benefit of their soul and as testimony to them. But, if that is not the case, and there is no one who places spiritual significance to them in the picture, it's purely a matter of preference and conscience.

For reference, the passage discussed above is 1 Cor 10:23-33
 
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Clint Edwards

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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?
No. An idol is only and idol if you believe it deserves worship.
 
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JIMINZ

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Not quite, but close. It basically says that you have no obligation to educate yourself about any possible connection to idols. But, if someone, presumably a pagan, makes a point of letting you know the spiritual significance, you should avoid it, not as a matter of your own conscience, nor because there is anything wrong with the meat, but because of the message that it sends to the pagan who offered it to you. The problem with that passage is that it is specific to an issue that persisted in 1st Century Corinth. It can be tricky to apply the principle to other situations in 21st Century America. For the present discussion, I would apply it as suggesting that, if another person attaches a spiritual significance to dreamcatchers, avoid them in their presence, for the benefit of their soul and as testimony to them. But, if that is not the case, and there is no one who places spiritual significance to them in the picture, it's purely a matter of preference and conscience.

For reference, the passage discussed above is 1 Cor 10:23-33

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Well now that you have been educated, there shouldn't be any more question in the lives of those posting to this thread.....Right?
 
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Clint Edwards

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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...
A portal ? Do they need one to go where they choose ? I wouldn't have a ouja board for any purpose, they are ugly. But after all, they are just printed cardboard and and a piece of plastic. The stupidity and danger comes from assigning them power and validity to allow evil to play with your mind.
 
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JIMINZ

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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?

It's not an Idol in that sense, but is is part of the American Indian Belief System (Religion).

Would a Christian have verses out of the Quran framed on their wall because of the pretty calligraphy?

Same thing, it's what these things represent, it's association.

1Th 5:22
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
 
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Kersh

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It's not an Idol in that sense, but is is part of the American Indian Belief System (Religion).

Would a Christian have verses out of the Quran framed on their wall because of the pretty calligraphy?

Same thing.

Probably not, but if a Christian had a Quranic verse displayed because the message was consistent with biblical teachings, I wouldn't fault them for it. I wouldn't necessarily do that, but I'd respect another's freedom of conscience to do so.
 
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Clint Edwards

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Probably not, but if a Christian had a Quranic verse displayed because the message was consistent with biblical teachings, I wouldn't fault them for it. I wouldn't necessarily do that, but I'd respect another's freedom of conscience to do so.
Our JW friends tell us that certain traditions we have adopted for Christmas, are pagan. They are right. Are we wrong to have treeś, hang mistletoe, and have yule logs ?
 
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JIMINZ

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Probably not, but if a Christian had a Quranic verse displayed because the message was consistent with biblical teachings, I wouldn't fault them for it. I wouldn't necessarily do that, but I'd respect another's freedom of conscience to do so.

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You just don't get it, what else can I say.
 
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