Church on the iPhone? Learn about some of the most useful, repugnant, and spiritual applications for your mobile.
Techno-Faith
The prevailing concept about techno-crats is that new mobile technology will seriously impact and transform all aspects of interpersonal life. This does not just mean how we communicate with each other, but how we run our careers, find news and information, and even how we engage our religious faith. Many software developers have tried to match this by creating faith-based iPhone applications, many of which have differing results of success.
Holy Bible
The Bible seems like the logical choice for an application development, mostly because of the new attempt to put lengthy text documents onto the iPhone for reading. The Holy Bible application is free on the App Store, while more focused and complex Bible interfaces are available for a small price. Depending on how much you use the Bible the free Holy Bible version should be adequate, mostly because of its small size and quick navigation. Its text options are easy to read, it provides a search mechanism for easy reference, and it even has great devotional features like the “Daily Read.” For other language options you have the options such as the Acro Bible Portuguese and Acro Bible Spanish, Acro’s applications are expensive, with the King James version at $9.99 and the English Standard Version coming it at $17.99. If you are willing to pay a sufficient price for a good quality iPhone Bible, there is a variety available currently.
The Quran
Similar to the availability of the Bible on your touch device is a downloadable Quran, the cheapest of these being the free iQuran. Even though it has a questionable title, this is a no-nonsense incarnation of the sacred Islamic text. There is also a companion iQuran Pro that offers multiple language options, detailed indexes, and options to have voice read recitations of scriptures. Though this does seem nice, it does not warrant upgrading from the basic iQuran.
The Scriptures
One of the best deals out there is of interest to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This application, called The Scriptures, includes the King James Version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price, all for free. There are not a lot of stylistic frills, similar to the basic Holy Bible application, but it does provide all the essential LDS texts.
The Bhagavad-Gita
One version of the Hindu Bhagavad-Gita makes an appearance, and runs $9.99. It is very similar to the other holy text applications, and gives a great interface, text and search options. Since there is not a free version of this it should be well considered before purchasing.
Offensive Applications
One of the most offensive iPhone applications has to be the iChing (I’m sure they found the natural pun just too great to pass up). With this you can use the “power of the iChing strait from your iPhone.” Here you virtually tap the spinners to help with inspiration or decision-making, not taking into account that this spiritual tradition is based on natural energy and human contact. This is one of the worst examples of an attempt to digitize a religious practice for mobile use. Similar to this are the Tarot options, which seem to have completely ignored the actual rules of the tradition. Stay away from these applications as they do not serve the purpose for which they are intended and are offensive to people whom respect and practice those traditions.
Religous Cell Phones
How much you want to bring in your faith into a mobile device is up to you, and there are valid arguments on each side. Now we have the tools to at least keep the texts and tools with us at all times.