Catholic churches in Italy are installing automatic holy water dispensers to help reduce the risk of spreading swine flu.
The outbreak of the H1N1 virus has led many churches to suspend the tradition of having holy water in open fonts into which people dip their hands.
The new machine works like an automatic soap dispenser, squirting water when a hand is passed under the tap.
Father Pierre Angelo Mota, from Capriano Briosco, north of Milan, said squirtable holy water had surprised some of his parishoners at first.
“People initially were a bit shocked by this technological innovation but then they welcomed it with great enthusiasm and joy. The members of this parish have got used to it,” he added.
“Some people had stopped dipping their hand into the holy water font as they were afraid of infections,” he told Reuters.
This is all absurd to the point of being hilarious.
First, we have the faithful finally realizing germ theory is a fact. That brings them up to the mid-19th Century, anyway. Although, wouldn’t you presume that truly “holy” water would protect you – not make you sick?
Then, we get to deal with the Orthodox who may acknowledge that germs, disease and death exist outside of divine retribution – but, giving up a tradition just to live longer is way too modern.
There is no one more foolish than someone dedicated to religious self-delusion?