Incense at Church

Not David · Jan 24, 2019

I like incense in my Church, for some reason it makes me feel like I am in God's presence (besides other things like the Eucharist and the Choir but I don't want to talk about that). What do you think about incense?

JohnB445 · Jan 24, 2019

good. even revelation and I think other parts of the Bible talk about incents.

The Seventh Seal

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

tulc · Jan 24, 2019

Well...it's kind of ok until I stop breathing because of allergies. After that it can be...distracting. :sorry:

tulc(doesn't regularly attend a church with incense but has been to a few in the past so is careful to sit in the back to make a quick exit as needed)

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

JohnB445 said:
good. even revelation and I think other parts of the Bible talk about incents.

The Seventh Seal

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

3And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Don't forget The Jewish had incense as an important part of worshipping.

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

tulc said:
Well...it's kind of ok until I stop breathing because of allergies. After that it can be...distracting.
tulc(doesn't regularly attend a church with incense but has been to a few in the past so is careful to sit in the back to make a quick exit as needed)

That happens.

Zoii · Jan 25, 2019

David Cabrera said:
I like incense in my Church, for some reason it makes me feel like I am in God's presence (besides other things like the Eucharist and the Choir but I don't want to talk about that). What do you think about incense?

Its all part of the ambience and theatre - that may sound superficial but I do appreciate the ritual that goes with church services.

Paidiske · Jan 25, 2019

Incense is fine and even, in moderation, pleasant. (It's not essential but also not to be forbidden).

There are significant health issues akin to those of passive smoking associated with heavy incense use, though, so it's worth being aware of things like quality and ventilation (more here: Warning: worship may be harmful to your health. ).

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

Zoii said:
Its all part of the ambience and theatre - that may sound superficial but I do appreciate the ritual that goes with church services.

It's not superficial, we try to worship God with all our senses, smell is one of them.

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

Paidiske said:
Incense is fine and even, in moderation, pleasant. (It's not essential but also not to be forbidden).

There are significant health issues akin to those of passive smoking associated with heavy incense use, though, so it's worth being aware of things like quality and ventilation (more here: Warning: worship may be harmful to your health. ).

I might ask to see how do they solve those problems.

Paidiske · Jan 25, 2019

If you scroll down to the bottom of the blog post, you'll see some suggestions to reduce harmful exposure:

– Restrict the use of incense to festivals and special occasions
– Reduce exposure time when incense is used in worship
– Ensure the building is well ventilated (open doors and windows) during and for some time after the use of incense
– Use incense of the highest purity possible, to avoid additional contaminants, and reduce the amount of harmful substances produced

Jonaitis · Jan 25, 2019

Incense tastes good to the nose, if that makes sense.

HoneyBee · Jan 25, 2019

I absolutely LOVE when they use incense at my church! I totally get what you mean when you say that it helps you to feel more like you're in God's presence. I think I have an idea of why that is too. When we gather to worship and contemplate on God, we use some of our senses to try and connect with Him. When they use incense, that's just one more sense you're using to meditate on God, thus helping you to focus and feel more absorbed by God's presence!

That's how I rationalize it anyways, lol.

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

Searching_for_God said:
I absolutely LOVE when they use incense at my church! I totally get what you mean when you say that it helps you to feel more like you're in God's presence. I think I have an idea of why that is too. When we gather to worship and contemplate on God, we use some of our senses to try and connect with Him. When they use incense, that's just one more sense you're using to meditate on God, thus helping you to focus and feel more absorbed by God's presence!

That's how I rationalize it anyways, lol.

Yeah, that's definitely a good explanation.

Zoii · Jan 25, 2019

My parents are buddhist. When I go with them into the temple the incense is fairly heavy but, at least for me, adds to the feeling of calmness. Its quiet, dim, and smells of something ancient. I agree with @David Cabrera and it broadens my senses.

Barney2.0 · Jan 25, 2019

Muslims use incense aswell, I don’t think it’s a bad thing, especially since Muslims use much stronger incense then you’d find in say a Church. I think the main reason its used is to make the Mosques smell good. I myself am honestly not to big on incense or it’s smell, but I do like when it’s used in Church.

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

Zoii said:
My parents are buddhist. When I go with them into the temple the incense is fairly heavy but, at least for me, adds to the feeling of calmness. Its quiet, dim, and smells of something ancient. I agree with @David Cabrera and it broadens my senses.

Isn't there incense in the church you go to?

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

Al Masihi said:
Muslims use incense aswell, I don’t think it’s a bad thing, especially since Muslims use much stronger incense then you’d find in say a Church. I think the main reason its used is to make the Mosques smell good. I myself am honestly not to big on incense or it’s smell, but I do like when it’s used in Church.

Do you use it when worshipping at home?

Zoii · Jan 25, 2019

David Cabrera said:
Isn't there incense in the church you go to?

Yes there is but to be fair I wont go in a church until its empty

disciple Clint · Jan 25, 2019

David Cabrera said:
I like incense in my Church, for some reason it makes me feel like I am in God's presence (besides other things like the Eucharist and the Choir but I don't want to talk about that). What do you think about incense?

It has been part of the worship of God since the first tabernacle and maybe before. It is to carry the prayers of the people up to God.

Not David · Jan 25, 2019

disciple Clint said:
It has been part of the worship of God since the first tabernacle and maybe before. It is to carry the prayers of the people up to God.

Indeed. I feel a lot of Evangelical churches are missing that.

Incense at Church

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