ves?
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, b