What happen if a person he/she had baptism and she take joss
stick? what will hapen to he person? Plse help me?
Hi JuneSeah22
You are asking a valid question. Most
probably, you or someone around is struggling with this issue of
taking joss stick.
A joss stick is but a joss stick, it is
made from wood powder that is mixed with perfume. In the ancient
day, it was used as an instrument to communicate with the higher
beings that we called god. Besides, it was burn in rich man home to
refresh the room. As air fresher was not invented back then. In
today context, people use it as aromatherapy in the spa or home
which for the latter purpose. At the same time, people used it for
religious purpose like the former.
The issue arise especially when a Christian
need to honour the dead which is our parent or forefather. Of
course, the converted Christian will take the joss stick to respect
the dead as it is in the custom of Chinese. In order not to upset
the family and relatives present at the mourning or memorial
occasion. However, if she does so, it may invite reprimand from the
church mates for this simple act. The churchmates presence might
associate the act of taking or burning of joss stick to demon
worship. However, there is a saying, “When you are in Rome, do as
the Romans do.” We need to question the act through proper
analysis.
Firstly, does it cause harm to oneself or
the others. Secondly, how can one parent or forefather who gave
birth to us be a demon? Thirdly, if you attend a Catholic funeral,
you will notice that incense is offer to God as purification for
the dead body.
Last time, when I was a Christian, I love
to burn incense in my room as an aromatherapy, however I was
staying with a church mate. He was uncomfortable with it. He will
associate the simply incense to demon worship. One fine day, when I
was away, he came into my room, took the incense holder kit and
threw away. When I realise it, it was too late. It taught me a
lesson. People can be over spiritual and zealous still one forgot
how to respect people property. Why a born again Christian should
fret over an insignificant incense kit and associate it with demon.
Isn’t the God, he serve more powerful than any other name? What is
there to fear? That made me embarks on a faith searching
journey.
Anyway, once I run into a Christian who was
buying some incense offering in a shop. I ask him, “Why is he doing
this since he is a Christian.” He replied, “At my mum death bed,
she was having a hard time passing on despite of my plea for her to
receive Christ. She rejected my plea and she made me to promise her
as the only son to continue made offering to her when she passed
on. When I agreed, she died peacefully.”
“Despite of my church mate’s objection, I
will continue to make offering to her. Because it is a pain to see
my mother who give birth to me to struggle at death bed. I would
prefer to see her died in peace then pain. A promise is a promise.
I will fulfil it as a filial piety act, as long as I am alive” He
lamented.
Well, whether one should performed the act.
It will depend on yourself. Chinese has a good saying,
“饮水思源”
Even Children of Israel is mindful of their
forefather Joseph, why not us?
Exodus
13:19
Moses took the
bones of Joseph with him because
Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He
had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must
carry my bones up with you from this
place.”
