I keep having dreams about Byzantine Christianity.

[StarryNightshade]

Let me preface this by saying that, while I don't dislike or hate Christianity (a semi-shocker for this site at times), I'm not a Christian in practice or faith. I was raised Christian, but fell away from it and have since been following a Dharmic path these past few years. I do think Jesus had more than a few good things to say (as well as being historically real), and Pslams and Ecclesiastes are among my favorite books in the Bible, but I do not believe Jesus is God. Nor do I believe that the Bible is the Word of God (inspired or literal).

With all of this being said, I find myself having dreams about Eastern Christianity.

A few weeks ago, I had a dream that I was in a Byzantine Catholic church during a high mass. My senses were actually working in said dream. Meaning I could hear the chanting, feel the Rosary in my hand, and smell the incense.

A few nights ago, it happened again, but this time I was in an Orthodox church. The same scenario occurred as well, where my senses could detect my surroundings, but it included another: taste. I could taste the communion bread and wine.

Dreams aside, I find myself reading about the lives of the Saints. Truly inspiring stuff.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not going to convert anytime soon, but these dreams and thoughts have been invasive for the past few weeks. As aforementioned, in addition to not believing that Christ was God or in the Divine authorship of the Bible, my homosexuality would put me at odds with the church. Me being pro-choice (not pro-abortion) would also put me at odds with the moral and social hierarchy within these churches.

Thoughts? Could these dreams mean anything? Or just my brain flushing out unneeded information and data?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Not all Byzantine Christians believed in the Trinity, ya know.
Well, I mean, eventually they did. But not the whole way along.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Not all Byzantine Christians believed in the Trinity, ya know.
Well, I mean, eventually they did. But not the whole way along.

Yeah, I know. If there were any High Mass/Liturgical churches that were Arian or Unitarian in nature that actually existed today, I would have delved into that long ago.

But, alas, they don't exist. At least as far as I'm aware.

 

[Cureus]

Just to reassure you Ive given it a chance, I have read your post. However on a personal level, I dont dream much during my sleep. On the rare occasion I do dream I have thoughts like Im tired, Im hungry etc. So Im afraid I cant offer much insight to what your dreams mean. Supposedly a dreamy sleep is a lower quality of sleep. So things I would consider are in your immediate environment. Is your bed comfortable? Are you taking care of your health? These are the questions I would be asking myself.

Additionally I literally know nothing about Eastern Christianity, I try to focus on the most popular religion in order to have a bigger impact. Hopefully someone more educated can offer a better insight.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Supposedly a dreamy sleep is a lower quality of sleep. So things I would consider are in your immediate environment. Is your bed comfortable? Are you taking care of your health? These are the questions I would be asking myself.

My bed is comfortable, I suppose. It's an old box-spring mattress and I don't have the money right now to spend on a new bed.

As for health? Well, it wouldn't hurt for me to try and live a healthier life, but I don't think I'm very unhealthy in general.

 

[Vinayaka]

Thoughts? Could these dreams mean anything? Or just my brain flushing out unneeded information and data?

Your tryst with Hinduism is over. Go back to your roots. They're calling you.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Lol, I had a dream about being Catholic just this night. I'm ignoring it.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Your tryst with Hinduism is over. Go back to your roots. They're calling you.

That's the issue though, I don't feel a pull back to Christianity. I haven't for years. In fact, overall I'm kinda neutral to it. I'm comfortable in Hinduism, but I have had these couple of dreams recently and am curious if they actually mean anything.

Also, like I said, there are many things about Liturgical Christianity that I would completely clash with.

 

[Cureus]

My bed is comfortable, I suppose. It's an old box-spring mattress and I don't have the money right now to spend on a new bed.

As for health? Well, it wouldn't hurt for me to try and live a healthier life, but I don't think I'm very unhealthy in general.

If Im going on a tangent let me know. However its fair to say one shouldnt judge oneself by the lowest common denominator. "I dont think Im very unhealthy in general" suggests youre not in good health. Im no doctor but I think health should be your main concern, before religion.


*** toast is about one of the least nutritious foods you can eat. Yes it has good calories, but maybe you want to consider nutrition.

 

[Vinayaka]

That's the issue though, I don't feel a pull back to Christianity.

Consciously, yes. But what about delving into that subconscious? Dreams are from the subconscious. it never hurts to go take a second look, with the 'new' eyes you now have. Maybe there was something you missed.

 

[StarryNightshade]

Consciously, yes. But what about delving into that subconscious? Dreams are from the subconscious. it never hurts to go take a second look, with the 'new' eyes you now have. Maybe there was something you missed.

Subconsciously? I suppose I like the traditions and ascetics of Byzantine practice and worship, but liking the external trappings is not really a good enough reason to start practicing or converting to a religion.

However, just for the sake of discussion, I will list personal pros and cons of Byzantine Christianity.

Pros:

- The Liturgy/Mass is absolutely beautiful. Honestly, aside from Pujas, Byzantine Liturgies are the most beautiful and inspiring religious services that I can think of.

- The idea of Heaven and Hell are very different from Western Christianity.

- Eastern Christianity tends to be more mystical and philosophical than it's Western counterpart.

- It's more Panentheistic than classically Monotheistic


Cons:

- I don't believe in the divinity of Jesus

- I don't believe in the infallibility or inerrancy of the Bible.

- I don't believe in the Virgin birth or in the Resurrection.

- I do not agree with the concept of "sin"

- I do not believe that homosexuality is a horrible disease that needs to be cured.

- I'm pro-choice, and believe the welfare of the woman should come first.

- I don't believe that, by not fully "living up to the standard" of the church, one should be excluded from partaking in sacraments.

- Too much focus is put on Paul, rather than Christ.

 

[Vinayaka]

Maybe the leaders aren't so gung-ho on that second list as you thought they were. Of course I know nothing at all about their philosophy, its all just conjecture on my part, just throwing random ideas at you.

 

[StarryNightshade]

If Im going on a tangent let me know. However its fair to say one shouldnt judge oneself by the lowest common denominator. "I dont think Im very unhealthy in general" suggests youre not in good health. Im no doctor but I think health should be your main concern, before religion.


*** toast is about one of the least nutritious foods you can eat. Yes it has good calories, but maybe you want to consider nutrition.

Okay...

I am on a path of eating better. Does that mean that I don't still eat unhealthy things? Of course not, but I am putting more veggies and fruits into my diet and am exercising a lot more than I have before.

 

[MD]

All religions have rituals which connect us with the divine and have elements of truth in them.

I feel spiritual when listening to an Orthodox choir, a Buddhist chant or even the Muslim Azan (yes, shocking).

Don't worry too much about labels. You can always be a Hindu who goes to Church. In India millions of non Christians go to Church once in a while.

 

[Brinne]

I think it's understandable to have a dream like that; Eastern Churches and their practices are stunningly beautiful. Everytime I enter one I always think "Hmm Orthodoxy sounds nice..." but then I look at the facts and realize that I'm just enchanted by the exterior.

I think it's OK to have dreams like this. Dreams are important and tell us a lot but it's also important to take them with a grain of salt.

 

[StarryNightshade]

All religions have rituals which connect us with the divine and have elements of truth in them.

I feel spiritual when listening to an Orthodox choir, a Buddhist chant or even the Muslim Azan (yes, shocking).

Don't worry too much about labels. You can always be a Hindu who goes to Church. In India millions of non Christians go to Church once in a while.

I don't think I will. Like you said, many non-Christians can still go to church or appreciate non-Christian ritual. Just like anyone of any religion can.

For example, in addition to the Orthodox liturgy, I love the Azan, chanting at Gurdwaras, the appreciation of nature via Paganism, the fire ritual of Zoroastrianism, etc.

I think it's understandable to have a dream like that; Eastern Churches and their practices are stunningly beautiful. Everytime I enter one I always think "Hmm Orthodoxy sounds nice..." but then I look at the facts and realize that I'm just enchanted by the exterior.

I think it's OK to have dreams like this. Dreams are important and tell us a lot but it's also important to take them with a grain of salt.

I agree with this as well. I think I just like the exterior of Byzantine Christianity. Like in my previous posts, most of the things I like about it are external trappings and ritual; and not necessarily it's theology.

 

[Maya3]

Might be past life memories, especially since it's so vivid.

Churches are beautiful, the most amazing church I've seen is the Cathedral in Montreal. Amazing amazing place.

Maya

 

[Shuttlecraft]

..my homosexuality would put me at odds with the church..

Not necessarily, there were ex-gays in the early Christian churches, and notice that nowhere does this verse single out gays to say they're worse than anybody else-
"heathens, adulterers, gays, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers...that is what some of you were" (1 Cor 6:9-11)

and remember, God only zapped Sodom/Gomorrah because they were the nasty type of loud militant gays, knocking peoples doors demanding men be sent out so they could have them, that's definitely a naughty step offence..

 

[Maya3]

Not necessarily, there were ex-gays in the early Christian churches, and notice that nowhere does this verse single out gays to say they're worse than anybody else-
"heathens, adulterers, gays, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers...that is what some of you were" (1 Cor 6:9-11)

and remember, God only zapped Sodom/Gomorrah because they were the nasty type of loud militant gays, knocking peoples doors demanding men be sent out so they could have them, that's definitely a naughty step offence..

Ex gays?

Maya

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Not necessarily, there were ex-gays in the early Christian churches, and notice that nowhere does this verse single out gays to say they're worse than anybody else-
"heathens, adulterers, gays, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers...that is what some of you were" (1 Cor 6:9-11)

and remember, God only zapped Sodom/Gomorrah because they were the nasty type of loud militant gays, knocking peoples doors demanding men be sent out so they could have them, that's definitely a naughty step offence..

Complete nonsense. Neither of those things had to do with homosexuality and there is no such thing as an "ex-gay". Furthermore, such a concept wouldn't even have existed in that time and culture.