Incense at Church

[Quid est Veritas?]

I find incense unpleasant. It gives me a sort-of choking sensation and irritates my nose. I don't think this is a real physiologic effect, more just a lack of habituation to it. Regardless, I find it distracting in worship personally. I would probably grumble if my Church started using it, but I am sure I could learn to ignore it.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

I don't have an opinion one way or another. I can see where some people can have trouble because it triggers allergies or a migraine. I can also see where to other people it's kind of like a heavenly aromatherapy. Anything that makes you feel God's presence, I believe, is a good thing.

Incense isn't what does it for me, though. When I was younger, it used to be the altar call at a big church, with so many people there at the altar all praying and praising Him. It made me feel like I was before the throne of God. But now I'm a little more distant and reserved with other people, probably the result of getting older. I feel God's presence mostly during the quiet, meditative segments of a worship service when I'm not distracted by so many other things going on. Some praise and worship songs will do it too, but not the ones that are "designed" to be stirring. I'm kind of an odd duck.

 

[SkyWriting]

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?

I find all forms of smoke extremely offensive. And my sensitivity to all smells is very low.
I've never been to such a service and I've been to a dozen denominations.

 

[Chris V++]

I'm sure incense was very welcomed in the dark ages when people bathed less frequently.

There's some good info on wikipedia about Incense, even a recipe that was given to Moses.
Incense offering - Wikipedia

Back in my altar boy days I used to light the cakes in the bronze censer. The priest would walk up and down the isle swinging the censer toward the congregation. Our Byzantine church was big on using incense.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I like it but I know it irritates a lot of people's sinuses and allergies. For private prayer and focus it works well at home. I agree with you on the sensory strength of smells, some people this helps get into a more contemplative or devotional feel. I'm one of those affected by scents as well in worship.

 

[RaymondG]

Nothing wrong with incense and there use anywhere. I would not, however, link them to any worship of God. The upper room is said to be "fully furnished" Therefore, I try to bring nothing with me and would even consider removing sandals....

 

[nonaeroterraqueous]

Hundreds of people in that room are already wearing too much perfume. Sunday is the day I get headaches, runny nose and swollen sinuses. Add incense to that and I'm out of there. I don't need a chemical to get spiritual.

I'll take non-smoking, please.

 

[step_by_step]

Personally I like incense or burning candles while I'm spending time in prayer and such. But people like my mom can't handle being in heavily perfumed rooms because it triggers headaches. It's nice to have for those of us who enjoy it, however.

 

[☦Marius☦]

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

Forgive me if I'm a bit skeptical. There are monks who practically live in incense smoke their entire lives and most of them live much longer than the average layperson.

For most people it just takes a little bit of getting used to. Frankincense is a good natural incense. You also have to consider most older churches were build with high ceilings.

When I was a chanter at the monastery the church was basically just a large house and the windows were next to the chanting stand. If you've ever been to a monastery and seen how much incense is used in an Orthodox service well- its heavy. All the smoke would have to pass through the chanters to get out the window. It was quite the throat straining experience.

 

[Foxfyre]

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?

I don't think it is necessary, a very few people are allergic to the smoke, and I think it can add to the worship experience for those who like it. An Episcopal Dean once explained to me that the purpose is to include all a person's senses in the worship experience--visual, sound, olfactory, etc. I am not Episcopalian but my life experience allowed me to work with and worship a good deal with Episcopalians for a number of years. And I did enjoy the high church services including incense. Roman Catholics use it for symbolic significance of purification and sanctification. The Episcopalians are more likely to see it as preparation/invitation of the presence of the Christ.

But however one sees it, it is a nice touch.

 

[devin553344]

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?

incense is evil. Sorry for you.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

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?

Incense out side of church is fine however , in church it makes me dizzy and nauseous and I have to leave (step fathers Catholic funeral). Don't ask me why but I suspect as a child when I was in Catholic church the stations of the cross were not only grueling but was met with a growling stomach thus becoming symptomatic. Also gives me the creeps

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

incense is evil. Sorry for you.

But it’s used to worship God even in the book of revelation. How and why do you say it’s “evil”?

 

[Not David]

incense is evil. Sorry for you.

Lord have mercy!

 

[devin553344]

Lord have mercy!

It leads to worse evils like candles. LOL sort of wiccen?

 

[devin553344]

But it’s used to worship God even in the book of revelation. How and why do you say it’s “evil”?

It's like candles. Maybe it's not evil, but I don't like it.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

It's like candles. Maybe it's not evil, but I don't like it.

Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean it’s evil.
I hate pickles but they’re not evil.
Just saying.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

It leads to worse evils like candles. LOL sort of wiccen?

Not really.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

It leads to worse evils like candles. LOL sort of wiccen?

Also, it’s spelled Wiccan.
The act of lighting a candle out of respectful prayer is different than using a candle in witchcraft.
Witches believe that the candle can be charged and is vital for the witchcraft.
Lighting a candle for respectful prayer is just a way to have a visual reminder of the prayer or Holy Spirit. Just as incense is just to visualize prayers going towards heaven.
They are two very different things.

 

[devin553344]

Also, it’s spelled Wiccan.
The act of lighting a candle out of respectful prayer is different than using a candle in witchcraft.
Witches believe that the candle can be charged and is vital for the witchcraft.
Lighting a candle for respectful prayer is just a way to have a visual reminder of the prayer or Holy Spirit. Just as incense is just to visualize prayers going towards heaven.
They are two very different things.

OK thanks. My neighbor used to light all these candles around her house and I was always worried she was going to set the place on fire and kill everyone.