Australian Evangelists Bring Scripture to Cell Phones

Telecom News Editorials Reports Glossary

11:07 am on October 7, 2005 | Category: Telecom Services

The Bible has just undergone its latest modernization treatment, namely being translated into text messaging slang and offered as a free SMS download for mobile phones.

All 31,173 Biblical verses from both the Old and New Testaments are being offered in text format by the Bible Society of Australia. The Society claims that by offering scripture in this format, they will “open it up to people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests.”

One must wonder, however, whether SMS slang is the most appropriate platform for this type of material. After all, will translations such as “In da Bginnin God cre8d da heavens & da earth” properly convey the full literary value of the Bible? Whether or not this is an acceptable practice will likely inspire much debate in times to come.

Given the fact that technology and religion are likely the two most popular markets in human history, combining them does seem like an excellent idea. How well they mix, however, remains to be seen.

Links: Bible, Religion, SMS, Text Messaging, Cell Phones, Mobile, Technology, Australia.