SCI/TECH: Cell Phones Are Getting Spiritual, page 1

The cell phone is finding its way into the spiritual realm with new features that help users with spiritual matters. Muslims can use their phone to help them locate Mecca, while services like BPmoblie allows users to SMS prayers to a temple in Bombay where the prayers are offered to Ganesh. Don't worry though, Christians aren't left out, you can subscribe to receive a daily message from the pope too!

www.wired.com
Once merely a useful tool for keeping in touch on the go, the mobile phone is fast finding a new niche as an instrument of spiritual enlightenment.

From Muslims who use their phones to point them toward Mecca, to Roman Catholics who collect text messages from the Vatican, religious observers across the globe are turning to their cell phones for aid and inspiration in practicing their faith.

In response, service providers and religious institutions are rolling out a host of services to attract the growing ranks of spiritually oriented phone users.

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I'm not sure if I would want messages from the Pope everyday, sounds a bit like spam to me, but if I was Catholic maybe I'd feel differently.

Jews are even getting into it, stating, "There is a principle that the Torah teaches us: We are supposed to utilize everything in the world to serve God". You can use a service called PilotYid.com to download scriptures.

While all these services cost, most companies that offer them don't make profit or donate the profit to charity.

But just when you thought spirituality had been revolutionized, the Catholic Church in the Philippines has forbidden confession and absolution through text messaging.

[edit on 8-19-2004 by Valhall]