The ever-growing bridge between technology and religion is expanding every day. No longer will digital Bibles apps be the only religious tool that populates Blackberrys, iPhone, and other electronic devices. A newly released iPhone app allows users to connect to a “confession” community to admit personal transgressions. The app description explain
The fundamental manner in which Penance differs from other confession apps is that it is structured to create a self-sustaining community rather than be a simple whiteboard for posting confessions (that can at best be rated by those who view them).
Apparently, download users must be over the age of 17 in order to download the app. This suggests that users can face some racy confessions. It appears there is a gimmick to the app because like 4square users can earn destinations based on use:
With Penance, a user will download the app and create Sinner and Saint accounts, credited with five ‘horns’ and five ‘halos’ respectively. A horn allows a Sinner account to make a confession, which is randomly sent out to a dozen Saint accounts who can send back a penance at the cost of a halo. If the Sinner accepts the penance as fair and manageable the Saint is rewarded with TWO halos. The highest ranked Saints are rewarded with titles and may issue edicts to all the Faithful underneath them.
To keep the confessions and penances flowing all users are gifted a horn and halo every Sabbath, though there is the option of using IAP to gain them faster.
What does the practical use of this app look like? The developer explains:
Let’s say you were overcome with lust at the office Christmas party and were unfaithful to your partner. You could ‘confess’ your sin using our free app and details of your misdeed would be sent to a handful of other iPhones. They could then send you a message back telling you how you should make up for your transgressions – a ‘Penance’ that will absolve you of your sin. You can then choose to either accept or reject their suggestion, and there will be league tables of the people who have offered the most helpful responses to sinners.
Most would consider this app to be ‘entertainment’, but does it highlight a trend? Are people looking to social media to connect to God instead of actually connecting to a church? Certainly, technology helps Christians to connect to their faith in new ways, but will technology like this app replace religious practice?
Looking to check out the app? Visit the iTunes website and searching for ‘Penance’.
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