Lately we’ve been hearing about a new round of tech tools for believers and nonbelievers alike.
The tech world was recently left buzzing about Apple chief Steve Jobs’ pledge to keep porn off of the iPhone and the iPad. Now, GodBlock claims to allow parents with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X to “protect their kids from the often violent, sexual, and psychologically harmful material in many holy texts, and from being indoctrinated into any religion before they are of the age to make such decisions.” MSNBC has pointed out that the whole thing may be a joke–no one has yet been able to actually download the software.
Meanwhile, on the iPhone and iPad, the New York Times reports that a crop of apps has sprung up to offer quick debating points to skeptics or the faithful. Sean McDowell’s Fast Facts, Challenges & Tactics has tips for “reasoning with an unbeliever,” while Jason Hagen’s Atheist Pocket Debater tries to poke logical holes in miracles and Scripture.
Of course, both sides of that debate may have some brand-new competition. It’s been suggested that Apple itself is filling the place of faith for many, with new product roll-outs becoming quasi-religious experiences. But really, nobody got that excited about the iPhone 4, right?
