candles

Question

I think that I read an article in Hamodia in which the author (a Rabbi) said that most candles (scented,non scented, and incense) were made by companies that were owned by churches and other sects. This article was telling people that it is forbidden to use scented candles or incense as air freshener or to light candles for any reason other than for Shabbat or Yom Tov and that those candles had to be certified kosher so that we could be sure that they were made in an environment free from avoda zara. The author of the article was implying that to use non certified candles or to light candles or incense for any purpose other than Shabbat or Yom Tov or memorial lights was to practice avoda zara. This was not the first time I had heard this as it was apparently taught in a number of yeshiva day schools. This issue has also been brought up with regards to the practice of lighting candles in the zchut of a particular tzaddik in the hope that one might obtain a blessing from Hashem.