Idolatry is one of those aspects of the Christian faith that is very often forgotten by the Catholic community. Often it is connected with habits, especially those brought from home. Other influences come from pop culture, and others are the fruit of knowledge and experience gained, for example, while visiting the world. This time the problem is quite important: is the dream catcher a sin? What is this thing, what dangers does it carry, and where should we look for answers related, among others, to the sin of idolatry?
What is a dream catcher?
It is very possible that the item is in the house, and the owner does not even know what it is. The dreamcatcher takes the form of an ornament, a souvenir, an addition to the house, which can be bought on a trip, in stores with things from the Far East, or even at the local market. The whole thing is very ornate and caters to the tastes of many people who want to decorate apartment.
A dream catcher is a form of amulet. It is most often made in the shape of a circle (less often a teardrop), and a thong, hair, or even sinew is attached to its outline to create a braided pattern. The idea is that during sleep it is supposed to protect the wearer from nightmares - only good dreams are supposed to pass through the openwork braid, and bad ones stop on it and disappear with the first ray of sunlight.
Does this sound implausible? Doubts still arise as to whether a dream catcher is a sin? You might add yet The fact that this item has gained in the eyes of many people as a general good luck amulet. The ornament looks very nice, and beads, feathers and other accessories hanging freely are attached to the rim. Some drivers have decided to hang the catchers on the center mirrors in the cabin of the car, hoping for their positive effect.
Is a dream catcher a sin?
Superstition, pagan beliefs, and any spirituality that is not a path to union with Christ is extremely slippery ground. Consciously engaging in such activities, we commit a sin from which we must confess. It is most clearly explained by exorcist priests, who more than once witnessed how objects like dream catchers allowed evil to penetrate more and more into a person's life.
Awareness of the act and the Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear on the sinfulness associated with idolatry:
2113: "Idolatry does not apply only to false worshipóin the heathen. It remains a constant temptation to faith. It consists in the poorócreating what is not By God".
2112: "First commandment powerpia polytheism. It demands of man that he not believe in other godsóin addition to God and did not worship other bóto creatures besides the One God." It is worth noting that just having a dream catcher may not be a clear reason for sin. It so happens that someone buys a souvenir without knowing its meaning. Then it is difficult to speak of an intentional violation of any of the commandments, nor is it a sin of idolatry. However, the deeper we dive into the space of other religions, for example, by consciously using an amulet in the bedroom according to its theoretical purpose, then there is no doubt that the dream catcher is a sin. One should beware of such actions, throw away things that disturb spiritual peace, and return to God by the simplest way - through the Holy Say.