Q. 1156.  Are bad dreams sinful in themselves?  A. Bad dreams are not sinful in themselves, because we cannot prevent them, but we may make them sinful (1) By taking pleasure in them when we awake, and (2) by bad reading or immodest books, thoughts, word or actions before going to sleep; for by any of these things we may make ourselves responsible for the bad dreams.

Q. 1157.  Did not God frequently in the Old Law make use of dreams as a means of making known His will?  A. God did frequently in the Old Law make use of dreams as a means of making known His Will; but on such occasions He always gave proof that what He made known was not a mere dream, but rather a revelation or inspiration.  He no longer makes use of such means, for He now makes known His will through the inspiration of His Church.

Q. 1158.  What are mediums and spiritists?  A. Mediums and spiritists are persons who pretend to converse with the dead or with spirits of the other world.  They pretend also to give this power to others, that they may know what is going on in heaven, purgatory or hell.

Q. 1159.  What other practice is very dangerous to faith and morals?  A. Another practice very dangerous to faith and morals is the use of mesmerism or hypnotism, because it is liable to sinful abuses, for it deprives a person for a time of the control of his reason and will and places his body and mind entirely in the power of another.

Q. 1160.  What are fortune tellers?  A. Fortune tellers are imposters who, learning the past, or guessing at it, pretend to know also the future and to be able to reveal it to anyone who pays for the knowledge.  They pretend also to know whatever concerns things lost or stolen, and the secret thoughts, actions or intentions of others.

Q. 1161.  How do we, by believing in spells, charms, mediums, spiritists and fortune tellers, attribute to creatures the perfections of God?  A. By believing in spells, charms, mediums, spiritists and fortune tellers we attribute to creatures the perfections of God because we expect these creatures to perform miracles, reveal the hidden judgments of God, and make known His designs for the future with regard to His creatures, things that only God Himself may do.

Q. 1162.  Is it sinful to consult mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers and the like when we do not believe in them, but through mere curiosity to hear what they may say?  A. It is sinful to consult mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers and the like even when we do not believe in them, but through mere curiosity, to hear what they may say, (1) Because it is wrong to expose ourselves to the danger of sinning even though we do not sin; (2) because we may give scandal to others who are not certain that we go through mere curiosity; (3) because by our pretended belief we encourage these impostors to continue their wicked practices.

Q. 1163. {320} Are sins against faith, hope, and charity also sins against the first Commandment?  A. Sins against faith, hope and charity are also sins against the first Commandment.