How Does Dreamology Qualify as a Religion?

     Dreamology has nine essential qualities that cause it to be defined as a true religion:

1. A belief in the supernatural:
-Dreamologists believe in a spiritual, non-physical world called the Dream Realm, in which our souls are free and we are truly alive.

2. Answers to the "Big Questions":
-Q: Where do we come from?
 A: All living beings come from a continuous source of energy, like a flowing river or breath of wind.
 Q: Why are we here?
 A: We are here to learn lessons of love and compassion, in order to become one with the Dream   Realm.
 Q: Where are we going?
 A: It is the ultimate goal of a Dreamologist to enter the Dream Realm permanently upon death, leaving the physical world behind forever.

3. A system of ethics:
-According to Dreamology, it is necessary to be compassionate in all actions. Love, trust, and respect are fundamental principles of the religion. Dreamologists believe that actions in the physical world affect their experiences in the Dream Realm: for example, if one were to cause someone to feel pain in the physical world, they would feel this pain themselves when dreaming. Dreamologists believe in governing all behaviour with compassion, and that mistakes and successes follow us into the Dream Realm.

4. The concept of a soul:
-Dreamologists believe that our soul is our true living being, and that our bodies are of no value. The soul is the common denominator between the physical world and the Dream Realm, and is what travels to and from the Dream Realm when we sleep.

5. Sacred writings:
-Dreamology began from the writings of Chen Shiyuan in The Lofty Principles of Dream Interpretation, therefore Dreamologists view these writings to be sacred and the ultimate truth of their religion. Titled Wandering Spirits when published these days, this collection of writings is the ultimate reference for Dreamologists.

6. Prayer/Meditation:
-Sleeping is a form of meditation or prayer in Dreamology, as it leads to a connection with the Dream Realm. Sleep is the most valued action in a Dreamologist's day, and dreams are viewed as blessings.

7. Search for perfection
-Dreamologists search for perfection within the physical world, as this will lead them to a permanent connection with the Dream Realm. This perfection can involve anything from treating other beings with respect and compassion to living a life of peace and fulfillment.

8. Existence of leaders who are the key founders/promoters of the religious movement:
-Chen Shiyuan is considered both a prophet of Dreamology as well as the religion's founder. It is not clear whether more prophets will follow Shiyuan, but many Dreamologists believe that more will come. Much like the Pope to Catholicism, Dreamology does have a general leader: Jacob Johnson, previously an American journalist, was appointed to this position after the former leader dreamt that Johnson was spiritually strong and worthy. Dreamologists generally refer to Johnson by his common name, rather than giving him a name such as "His Holiness". This, in a way, reflects the way in which Dreamology differs from so many other religions. Dreamology also differs from other religions in that there are no organized institutions, therefore there are no religious leaders other than Johnson (unlike, for example, Catholicism, which has priests).

9. Sense of family/community:
-Family is an incredibly important concept in Dreamology. Children are considered to be gifts from the Dream Realm manifested in the physical world. Parents play a key role in a child's early life: they assist their children in understanding their dreams, and explain the moral concepts of right and wrong. Families share dreams with each other, inviting diverse perspectives on their physical and spiritual lives. This also occurs in the Dreamology community; Dreamologists are encouraged to meet with others, even across great distances, to share their spiritual experiences and receive guidance.