Where business meets religion: Holy drinking water

[flashl]

The instructions are simple: Read the Prayer . . / Drink the Water . . . / Believe in God! / Believe in Yourself!

Spiritual Water, the faith-inspired venture of two Florida businessmen, offers its drinkers clearer focus, positive thinking and connection to a higher power. The 11 different bottle designs in the company's collection bear prayers and impressively detailed images of Jesus Christ, St. Michael and the Virgin Mary.

Spiritual Water joins a broad slice of feel-good products — Testamint, Bible Gum and other bottled holy waters — emerging at the intersection of religion and commerce, entrepreneurship and pop culture. Spiritual Water's message is delivered in a 16.9-ounce plastic bottle that sells for $2. The Formula J' variety carries the image of Jesus in a crown of thorns and the Fatima prayer: Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins. / Save us from the fires of hell. / Lead all souls into heaven, / especially those in need of the mercy. Amen.

California-based Holy Drinking Water offers a $1.49 half-liter that's been blessed in a warehouse by a priest. The New Jersey firm that makes Testamints offers berry, spearmint and peppermint mints wrapped in a verse of scripture. Bible Gum promises consumers they can can chew their way to spiritual enlightenment. Each box comes with a scripture verse.

McClatchy

[virtualobserver]

1. Spiritual Water has been clinically proven to be 30% less effective than Kaballah water

[DCKit]

2. The Republic/Hypocrite brand should be spiked with pepper juice.

It burns, it burns!!!!!

[FSogol]

3. How did I know the article would read, two Florida business men"?

:eyes:

[Ian_rd]

4. Jesus would be turning their goddamn tables over in anger

I'm an atheist and even I get pissed at what people like this do to Christianity.

[54anickel]

5. Did you catch the pics at the full article that was linked?

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/story/519296.html



This is just so wrong in so many ways....

snip>

California-based Holy Drinking Water offers a $1.49 half-liter that has been blessed in a warehouse by a priest. Founder Brian Germann, a former police officer, says his product is designed to promote good behavior. ''It's really a reminder for people to be better behaved . . . and to think of God,'' Germann says.

The message on the back of the bottle for those not so nicely behaved: Warning to sinners: if you are a sinner or evil in nature, this product may cause burning, intense heat, sweating, skin irritation, rashes, itchiness, vomiting, bloodshot and watery eyes, pale skin color and oral irritations.

snip>

''We are trying to connect people with God, not take advantage of people,'' he says, adding that 10 percent of his company's profits will go to charity. ``Water is just the vehicle for a positive message.''

[EvilAL]

6. Warning to sinners:

now that's a fuckin disclaimer.

[54anickel]

11. Sure paints a picture of a God someone would "like to connect to". n/t

[moggie]

7. Don't Christians believe that everyone is a sinner?

Shouldn't the FDA have something to say about a product which may cause those symptoms? If a batch became contaminated at the plant and customers experienced those problems for real, would they be unable to sue the company? Does the priest bless each bottle individually, or does he say "God bless this municipal water supply" and take the rest of the day off? Does God approve of all those unnecessary plastic bottles?

[flashl]

10. I can't stop laughing out loud. Where is the Duzy Award button? nt

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. Snake oil for the modern age

And the people who buy this make snake oil users seem highly skeptical of outrageous claims.

[Dorian Gray]

9. Yep...

definitely snake oil. Anybody involved in this is a money obsessed hypocrite. (Including the "priest" who is doing the blessing.)

[Silent3]

12. I couldn't bring myself to do it...

...but it is SOOOO tempting sometimes to think about making a few easy bucks of people stupid enough to buy shit like this.