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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Why are we lighting candles now?
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
At a recent memorial service which our church arranged I was struck at how many people lit candles. (Click here for details.)
The mother of the victim lit a candle, understandably, and this was as the worship began.
However, I think most of those present in the Cathedral, and there were hundreds, lit candles. (Admittedly they were encouraged to do so in the order of service).
I was thinking that thirty years ago that would not have happened so much.
What has changed?
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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fletcher christian
Mutinous Seadog
# 13919
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Posted
Candles are cheaper?
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'God is love insaturable, love impossible to describe'
Staretz Silouan
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
I don't think thats the reason, Fletcher Christian!
I watched the film 'The Queen' a few days ago - which covered the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. I'd forgotten the shear quantity of candles that were lit, and flowers laid, then.
When I was an ordinand lighting candles was considered to be very Catholic, and few churches had votive stands.
Had the memorial service I referred to happened thirty years ago I wonder if many cathedrals of the Church of England would actually have had the votive stands, and far fewer people would have used them than did on Friday.
Thats what is making me wonder what has changed in church / society to allow candle lighting to be a norm nowadays.
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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Leaf
Shipmate
# 14169
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Posted
You may not have been to enough interfaith services. Lighting candles is about the only ritual action we can do together without offending someone. Plus, lighting a candle is a symbol of offering a prayer, without having to articulate one.
Posts: 2337 | From: the electrical field | Registered: Oct 2008
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uffda
Shipmate
# 14310
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Posted
Regularly lighting candles in church seems to be strongest among Roman Catholics and Orthodox. When I've observed this practice in Orthodox churches it seems more generally connected to the liturgy rather than just stopping in front of an altar or shrine for a moment of private devotion before the liturgy starts. It seems a gentle way to allow everyone present to participate, especially if communion is not permitted to all who are baptized.
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Trudy Scrumptious
BBE Shieldmaiden
# 5647
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Posted
This appears to be more an Ecclesiantics topic -- worship practices -- than a debate, so please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride to Ecclesiantics.
Trudy, Scrumptious Purgatory Host
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Spiffy
Ship's WonderSheep
# 5267
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:
Doesn't everybody light a candle at the start of a service? At least in churches where facilities for doing so exist?
In my travels, the number of churches who have such facilities are diminishingly small. Even the Roman outposts I hang out at tend to have just one candle stand, back in an out-of-the-way corner. Another place I know of doesn't have candles just sitting out, you have to shell out $6 to get a 7-day plastic votive with a match handily taped to the side.
I'd like to see more opportunities to light candles in churches. It's a physical gesture, kindling a candle, and in my mind at least it represents the prayers for which there aren't enough words.
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Posts: 10187 | From: Beervana | Registered: Dec 2003
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Trudy Scrumptious:
This appears to be more an Ecclesiantics topic -- worship practices -- than a debate, so please fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride to Ecclesiantics.
Trudy, Scrumptious Purgatory Host
I'm slightly disappointed that this discussion has been transferred and labelled as worship practices, but I can understand also why it has been.
What caused me to raise this was the
memorial service last Friday.
However, the question that came to mind was what has happened in society / church, particularly in England, in the last thirty years, which has led to a more public use of symbolic act - in this case the lighting of candles.
I'm sure the 'Diana phenomenon' had a part to play.
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Unjust Stuart
Shipmate
# 13953
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Posted
A tangent: I attended a Church of England baptism earlier this year (not at my usual parish).
There's an optional part in the Common Worship service called "The Giving of a Lighted Candle". In this case, however, the Rector said "This is the part where I'm supposed to light a candle. But it can make a bit of a mess*, so I'll give you the candle in its box".
I suppose he'd have hidden it under a bushel if there'd been a bushel available.
*He was right about the mess. I spilt wax all over myself at my daughter's baptism.
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Forty years long was I grieved with this generation and said.
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Unjust Stuart:
A tangent: I attended a Church of England baptism earlier this year (not at my usual parish).
There's an optional part in the Common Worship service called "The Giving of a Lighted Candle". In this case, however, the Rector said "This is the part where I'm supposed to light a candle. But it can make a bit of a mess*, so I'll give you the candle in its box".
Clergy are daft at times! I mean isn't the symbolism in the LIGHTED candle!
Back to topic. When did it become acceptable to evangelicals to light candles at prayer? Now it seems much less of a party issue than it was, but when did that change happen and why?
Sorry about the questions, its just me wondering.
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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Manipled Mutineer
Shipmate
# 11514
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Posted
In the Catholic circles which I frequent, lighting a candle seems to be generally a private, after Mass, act, connected with a personal prayer or devotion, or even for an intention.
Turning to the question, I wonder if the observance of Candlemas, together with the use of candles in some Advent services, in some Anglican churches has encouraged a more general use of candles and therefore prompted some churches to provide facilities for them? Clearly we have come a long way since the Society of Saints Peter and Paul (motto: "If it ain't Baroque, fix it"*) advertised the "Ridley" votive candle stand, in the sure and certain knowledge that it would get up the noses of the Protestant wing of the Church...
*with thanks to PD
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Collecting Catholic and Anglo-
Catholic books-Peter Anson classic Bishops at Large,Anglican Benedictine Fr Ignatius Bio "The Enthusiast"; Constitutions of Old RC Church 10% discount
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Alogon
Cabin boy emeritus
# 5513
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Manipled Mutineer:
(motto: "If it ain't Baroque, fix it"*)
That was the regnant dogma in the pipe organ world when I was a student! The result was more often destruction and mediocrity achieved at great expense than improvement. We're more broadly appreciative now, thank heaven.
Newcomers and seekers today aren't so familiar with the denominational antagonisms and knee-jerk anti-Catholic negativism of the past. A certain correspondent fifteen years ago demanded that I explain why sanctuary lamps weren't gnostic. I patiently tried to do so, although a better reply would probably have been to ask him to make a case before expecting someone else to rebut it.
Lighting a candle is something you can do without pretending to understand what it's all about. It's probably something even a pantheist can do. Perhaps that is a potential downside, but basically anyone who admits that there are mysteries is in very good company.
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We are part of the earth and it is part of us... What befalls the earth befalls all the sons of the earth --Chief Seattle
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Quam Dilecta
Shipmate
# 12541
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Posted
The two world wars, during which alomost everyone had friends or family members in military service, opened the way for votive candles in many a "moderate" Anglican church.
Even in the resolutely "Low Church" Diocese of Massachusetts, St. Paul's Cathedral opened a small War Shrine with a prie-deiu and candlestand. It disappeared only in the 1970's, in the course of a re-ordering of the chancel and its environs.
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Blessd are they that dwell in thy house
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babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by mousethief:
Doesn't everybody light a candle at the start of a service? At least in churches where facilities for doing so exist?
In a couple of the churches where I preach it is common practise for a single candle to be lit before the start of the service. But these churches are in the minority. In most of the churches where I preach candles are only used for special events.
Advent and then Christmas are major candle times. Most of my churches have an Advent ring where a candle is lit for each Sunday in Advent. We also have Christingle services, and candle-lit carol services.
The rest of the time candles tend to be used as a point of focus during the prayers of intercession. This is especially true if the prayers include relatively long pauses for prayer and reflection.
The last time I was at a service where the congregation lit candles was a service I was leading. It was All Saints/All Souls, the year before last. I lit a large candle during the prayers of intercession and invited people to come and light candles, remembering those who had died in the faith. It was the very first time that congregation had done something like this, and they found it helpful.
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When my elder daughter was about three and a half we visited the RC cathedral in Liverpool. It was the first time she had seen votive racks. For us, candles appeared on top of birthday cakes, and at Christmas.
My little girl gave a yelp of excitement, and shouted "Happy Birthday Jesus" and ran over to the votives and tried to blow them all out. I let out a shout of horror and charged after her. An old Irish priest wandered by, smiling and muttering "Happy Birthday Jesus".
My daughter and I had a little discussion about how other people use candles in services and in prayer.
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
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Clavus
Shipmate
# 9427
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Posted
Diana did it for us!
Before August 1997, the occasional placing of a statue of Our Lady of Walsingham and a votive candle stand were contentious issues in my church. These items happened to be in place temporarily while some of us went on our parish pilgrimage to Walsingham. When we returned the day after the death of Diana Princess of Wales, the 'prayer corner' was awash with flowers and ablaze with candles. Nobody ever again dared say a word against this facility for prayer!
Posts: 376 | From: The Indian Summer of the C of E | Registered: May 2005
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Orianna02
Apprentice
# 14858
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Alogon:
Lighting a candle is something you can do without pretending to understand what it's all about. It's probably something even a pantheist can do. Perhaps that is a potential downside, but basically anyone who admits that there are mysteries is in very good company.
Yes it is, and I do. Among other things, it can symbolise intent, presence and the elements (air and fire obviously, but the actual candle = earth and the liquid wax = water). Quite handy, really.
Orianna
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
quote:
Watched the film 'The Queen' a few days ago - which covered the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. I'd forgotten the sheer quantity of candles that were lit
One of my pet hates in films is when the murderer (or whoever) flees into a church to hide/confess/sob their heart at the altar, that the church is always bedecked with hundreds of lit candles (and not just in a votive stand).
Who has lit these candles, and replaces them when they go out? How can the parish afford them all? What about Insurance and Fire Regulations? It seems to be a triumph of cinematic set-dressing over reality!
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Clavus
Shipmate
# 9427
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Posted
[tangent] We always have a laugh at all those candles in church in TV dramas. What is not so laughable is that the priest is always depicted as either a fool or a knave. [/tangent]
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
(Tangent continues) Yes, that's true, but Nonconformists don't exist at all - except for depictions of ultra-Fundamentalism or the battier end of the Pentecostal spectrum. When did you last see a Methodist or United Reformed minister in a TV drama?
Perhaps it's because they don't use enough candles. (End of tangent).
[ 09. March 2010, 10:03: Message edited by: Baptist Trainfan ]
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Fuzzipeg
Shipmate
# 10107
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Posted
Ex Alogon..... Lighting a candle is something you can do without pretending to understand what it's all about. It's probably something even a pantheist can do. Perhaps that is a potential downside, but basically anyone who admits that there are mysteries is in very good company.
I agree with you. Candles are like angels, safe and require no responsibility other than maybe a purely secular care that nothing gets burnt down!
Incense falls into the same category as long as it is not burnt in a thurible and waved about.
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Baptist Trainfan
Shipmate
# 15128
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Posted
People who may have no coherent faith in God want to do "something" that resonates with the spiritual realm, and lighting a candle enables that to happen.
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3rdFooter
Shipmate
# 9751
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Posted
I would suggest that there is a commonality with the growth of charismatic style in worship, particularly of the alt.worship stream. The emphasis is on the experiential and less heed is paid to tradition.
The lighting and offering of prayer through a candle has an liturgy of its own. The historic and (for some) negative links with RC practice are of no consequence.
3F
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3F - Shunter in the sidings of God's Kingdom
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Fuzzipeg
Shipmate
# 10107
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Posted
It is amazing how candles by the dozen are appearing in the NGK, the Dutch Reformed Church. As good Calvinists they probably didn't even appear on birthday cakes 20 years ago. Now they light the church at weddings and pop up all over the place!
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ken
Ship's Roundhead
# 2460
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Posted
I don't think its due to Dianalotry. Not in the Chirch of England anyway. Its part of the general slide up the, er, candle, that has been going on in the CofE since well before then.
quote:
Originally posted by Baptist Trainfan:
Who has lit these candles, and replaces them when they go out? How can the parish afford them all? What about Insurance and Fire Regulations? It seems to be a triumph of cinematic set-dressing over reality!
Worshippers and passers-by light them, and pay for them when they light them. As for fire regulations, I don't think there are any laws against candles.
I do know one RC parish church that is really is full of votive candles (and other tat too, lots and lots of it), and also has its doors open all day. St Saviour's Lewisham in south-east London.
It can be quite spectacular inside, but it has a very un-English feel to it. Which I rather like in small doses. I don't think I'd like it if all oe even most churches were like that, but one is fine. It adds to the gaiety and diversity and thingyness of things.
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Ken
L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.
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babybear
Bear faced and cheeky with it
# 34
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by 3rdFooter:
I would suggest that there is a commonality with the growth of charismatic style in worship, particularly of the alt.worship stream. The emphasis is on the experiential and less heed is paid to tradition.
Ideas formerly within the charismatic and alt.worship congregations have gradually moved over into the mainstream, gaining popularity. Lighting candles is no longer seen as Roman, Anglican, Orthodox, etc, but as being one of the ways in which many different Christians can pray.
It is not simply that less heed is being paid to tradition, but that people are now more prepared to explore a wider Christian experience of worship and incorporate diverse elements in their local services. It is about recognising our heritage is not just within our denominations, but across all of Christendom. For many people under the age of about 45, the place where they worship, its community and worship style is more important than the denomination.
Like Ken, I noticed no change in the use of candles after Diana's death. It was a sad event, especially leaving two little ones without a mother, but her death changed nothing in worship.
Posts: 13287 | From: Cottage of the 3 Bears (and The Gremlin) | Registered: May 2001
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churchgeek
Have candles, will pray
# 5557
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Orianna02:
quote:
Originally posted by Alogon:
Lighting a candle is something you can do without pretending to understand what it's all about. It's probably something even a pantheist can do. Perhaps that is a potential downside, but basically anyone who admits that there are mysteries is in very good company.
Yes it is, and I do. Among other things, it can symbolise intent, presence and the elements (air and fire obviously, but the actual candle = earth and the liquid wax = water). Quite handy, really.
Orianna
And in the votive form, it is part of a very, very ancient practice that seems common to many different religious traditions.
I remember a few years back reading in Biblical Archeology Review about some little votive statues discovered in Palestine thought to have been intended to represent oneself. You placed them in the temple in front of the idol (meant to represent the god/goddess) because you had fields to plow and so forth and couldn't linger in the temple all day. Just as the idol (sacramentally) localized the deity's presence in the temple, these little votive statues are thought to have (sacramentally) localized the worshiper's presence there as well.
Also, in ancient Greece, worshipers would leave objects symbolizing their vows to the god/goddess should their prayers be answered.
There are other examples I'm sure which could be cited.
Today, we light votive candles in church for several reasons, including the fact that we can't put our prayers fully into words, but also because we can't stay there all day praying. The candle represents the articulation of our prayer and also our continuing presence before God or a particular saint. It also gives a certain sense of release: you come in carrying your burden, and in lighting a candle and leaving it there, you are at least in some sense able to hand over your burden to God, and/or the saints who intercede for you.
I'm not sure if other religious traditions today use candles in a similar way, but ISTM that last bit, the release of handing over a burden, is just basic human nature.
[ETA: So in light of the OP, maybe it's not such a strange thing that we've come back around to this ancient practice, but that we ever stopped in the first place!]
[Code fix. Mamacita, Host]
[ 09. March 2010, 20:40: Message edited by: Mamacita ]
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Oremus
Shipmate
# 13853
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Posted
St Saviours full of tat! It is simply a beautiful church decorated in a traditional way. Obviously one person's tat is another's etc etc.
Posts: 221 | From: Our Lady's Dowry (Catford Branch) | Registered: Jun 2008
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
I think there may be a bigger picture than just how churches do things. I mentioned the memorial service last Friday which was held at our Cathedral.
Most of those attending were not regular church goers.
What I think is that in British society it is more common to place flowers at the scenes of accidents, or light candles there, or to have photographs of the deceased at funerals, and to light candles in churches or wherever, than it was say 25 years ago.
I do think the Diana factor focussed the change, but it had begun by then. The contrast between how the Royal family reacted - with quiet provate restraint, and how much of the public reacted - with flowers, books of condolence, candles etc. perhaps symbolises the time of change I'm thinking about.
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Gee D
Shipmate
# 13815
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Posted
At our Anglican church, MOTR ritual, liberal-catholic theology, there are a couple of icons, with votive candles. Some are lit before the service, many lit on the way back from communion. We light ours afterwards. It's been like this for many years.
By the way, they are icons in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. There is a very good painter of these traditional icons in Australia, and they are commonly to be seen in Anglican churches. Ours are of a Christ Pantocrator and the other of Our Lady and the Infant.
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Not every Anglican in Sydney is Sydney Anglican
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
Lighting candles in church is a deeply moving and quite archetypal experience which defies intellectual dissection.
I think many people who light them at our Anglican shack are doing this as a plea for assistance of some sort.
God bless them. ![[Cool]](cool.gif)
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Well...
Posts: 5079 | From: The Deep North, Oz | Registered: Dec 2006
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd):
Lighting candles in church is a deeply moving and quite archetypal experience which defies intellectual dissection.
I agree, Sir P.
However, what is interesting me in my thoughts arising from the memorial service is why has this 'deeply moving and quite archetypal experience' come more to the fore in recent years.
[ 09. March 2010, 22:14: Message edited by: Wottinger ]
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ken
Ship's Roundhead
# 2460
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Oremus:
St Saviours full of tat! It is simply a beautiful church decorated in a traditional way. Obviously one person's tat is another's etc etc.
In Ecclesiantics "tat" is the technical term for church decorations, traditional or not. There are no connotations of either beauty or lack of it!
And I think you will agree that it is a lot more decorated inside (and a lot better used during ordinary weekdays) than other RC churches in the area.
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Ken
L’amor che move il sole e l’altre stelle.
Posts: 38283 | From: London | Registered: Mar 2002
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Oremus
Shipmate
# 13853
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Posted
Ken I accept that your use of the word Tat was not meant to be an attack but "unenglish"? Is beauty not english but confined perhaps to those continental rather foreign type churches or else some other reason? I think you will find that at one time quite a few english churches were highly decorated.
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Wottinger:
quote:
Originally posted by Sir Pellinore (ret'd):
Lighting candles in church is a deeply moving and quite archetypal experience which defies intellectual dissection.
I agree, Sir P.
However, what is interesting me in my thoughts arising from the memorial service is why has this 'deeply moving and quite archetypal experience' come more to the fore in recent years.
Possibly Orthodox/RC influence.
Also, in some cases, as with our repeated candle lighters at the Intercessions, a desperate plea for help and notice.
We have many extremely marginalized parishioners with really serious psychiatric and other health problems who do this.
The average 'frafully middle klass' parish around here would not want them anywhere near, hence they come to us.
Sometimes it's almost like a scene from the Middle Ages at one of those shrines.
Interesting, because I think many of them are looking for the sort of mental and spiritual cure and consequent reintegration into normal society which Jesus is reported to have worked many times.
One thinks of places such as Lourdes and Tinos.
That raises many interesting questions.
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Well...
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
I'm not so sure it is because of the influence of other christians, but more a willingness to display emotion publically more than was the case, say thirty years ago.
I know lighting a candle isn't exactly an 'emotion' being shown, but it is a public expression.
Sorry, I know what I mean, even if I'm not being very clear.
What I'm getting at is that publically people are more demonstrative than they were say thirty years ago. I' m interested to know how this has come about.
At the memorial service at the Cathedral to which I referred there were many older people lighting candles who I feel sure would not have done so thirty years ago, indeed I am not sure that the Cathedral would have given the option.
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
In certain circumstances, in a society such as ours, rather than a traditional one such as a village in Sicily or the Peloponesse, where there is not the deep religious significance of the gesture, nor the supportive community, I think continual candle lighters might need to be gently approached by an observant cleric as to what is troubling them.
People these days may well be more open to expressing their needs in this particular gesture: a plea for help to the Almighty.
Given the fact the Almighty often responds through humans, it might be up to us to respond in His stead.
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Well...
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Forthview
Shipmate
# 12376
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Posted
To provide a 'service' for the many people who visit historic churches and feel that it is 'de rigueur' to light a candle,the Church of Scotland provides votive stands in some of its churches. I find this,just a little bizarre,as I don't think that it would be done by the regular worshippers.
Whilst visiting a historic (C of S)church in Stirling with a group of German visitors I was surprised to be asked and encouraged to light a candle.No-one would ever ask you in a Catholic church,if you wanted to light a candle.It would be entirely up to the individual.
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
What an interesting point Forthview.
Perhaps one factor why candles proved so popular at the memorial service for the murdered young boy was the poignancy of the occasion. What could one do?
But also simply because in the Order of Service itself those attending were encouraged to light a candle afterwards.
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Wottinger:
...
Perhaps one factor why candles proved so popular at the memorial service for the murdered young boy was the poignancy of the occasion. What could one do?
...
Exactly.
Ah Grasshopper, I think you might implicitly understand something.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Many people do, you know.
A religion which starts with words sometimes only ends with words.
The sea is fathomless.
I think many Anglophones are moving back to what their Pre-Reformation ancestors implicitly knew.
A little encouragement is often all that is needed.
Sometimes religion does not need the Great St Marys intellectual approach.
I am glad some clergy realize this.
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Well...
Posts: 5079 | From: The Deep North, Oz | Registered: Dec 2006
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Quam Dilecta
Shipmate
# 12541
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Posted
Thank you, Wottinger and other shipmates, for opening my eyes to the more widespread use of concrete actions and objects -- candles among them -- in broad-church and evangelical settings. Where bereavement is involved, I see it as swing of the pendulum away from the severe restraint which dominated much of the twentieth century toward the more demonstrative, even sentimental, Victorian approach.
In worship generally, however, this movement seems to be from an intensely verbal piety toward one which also appeals to the senses of sight, smell. and touch. Catholic Christanity has traditionally been less squeamish about the physicality of the sacraments and popular devotions, and I find it intriguing that, at least in some circles, Protestant worship now utilizes some previously unacceptable "externals".
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Blessd are they that dwell in thy house
Posts: 374 | From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Wottinger
Shipmate
# 13176
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Posted
QD thank you too! That was a helpful summary, and reflection, for me.
I think its also about the use of symbol in mission to the unchurched. The Cathedral memorial service provided those who don't usually attend worship to do something - light a candle - in the face of deep tragedy.
I don't want to make too much of this, but I do think it enabled some to do a hopeful act in a difficult situation.
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Posts: 349 | From: In the night garden | Registered: Nov 2007
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Sir Pellinore
Quester Emeritus
# 12163
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Posted
I am not sure we need to reintroduce Victorian sentimentality - often quite morbid and insincere - Quam Dilecta. Sentimentality is often the greatest enemy of genuine feeling.
Archetypal gestures, music and liturgy go beyond mere intellectuality or maudlin sentimentality.
I am not surprised that churches which often used preaching as an emotional tool are realizing that that sort of approach is not enough.
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Well...
Posts: 5079 | From: The Deep North, Oz | Registered: Dec 2006
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PD
Shipmate
# 12436
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Posted
I have mixed feelings about votive candles. The "High" side of my religious personality likes them, but the "Dry" side is suspicious. As two of the four church buildings I have served in have been largely timber I have generally discouraged the multiplication of naked flames on safety grounds. In another place I served they had a sandbox on a stand or votives in an area of the church where the floor was brick setts.
OTOH, the only valid excuse I know of for not having candles on the altar is the Belfast postcode.
PD
[ 15. March 2010, 04:27: Message edited by: PD ]
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My Assorted Rantings - http://www.theoldhighchurchman.blogspot.com
Posts: 4180 | From: Between a Rock and a Hard Place | Registered: Mar 2007
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Quam Dilecta
Shipmate
# 12541
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Posted
Like Sir Pellinore, I remain leery of excessive sentimentality, in church or elsewhere. Indeed, I am convinced that a resurgent sentimentality is behind the revulsion so many now express for certain aspects of Christian dogma and discipline. Where funerals are concerned, I think that death-denying practices can arise from either hard-boiled or squishy-sentimental attitudes.
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Blessd are they that dwell in thy house
Posts: 374 | From: Boston, Massachusetts, USA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Eddy
Shipmate
# 3583
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Posted
I love votive candles, and think we should encourage them more.
I think votive candles help to create a atmosphere of prayer and help a church come alive.
After that memorial service anyone coming in would have been moved to see all the candles and wondered about what had been going on, and what had called for such a lot of prayers.
So I'd like to see more and more candles.
I like them near statues or even icons though and not just in a candle stand by themselves.
Posts: 3237 | From: London, UK | Registered: Nov 2002
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wild haggis
Apprentice
# 15555
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Posted
'Cause I'm a dyslexic pyromaniac !!! (I can't spell it but I do it!!!)
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wild haggis
Posts: 9 | From: Ipswich | Registered: Mar 2010
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Angel Wrestler
Ship's Hipster
# 13673
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Posted
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
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The fact that no one understands you does not make you an artist.
(unknown)
Posts: 2730 | From: half-way up the ladder | Registered: May 2008
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