Religion? There's (Five) Apps For That.

By | February 09 2011 7:09 AM

Photo: Little iApps

Digital Confession

This app lets Catholics confess their sins for just $1.99. While Catholics can’t get absolution with this app, it will allow them to “prayerfully prepare for and participate in the Rite of Penance.” The developer, Little iApps, created this app with a number of Church officials and got the Catholic Church’s official approval. It has a personalized examination of each user’s conscience and comes with password protected profiles and a step-by-step guide to the sacrament.

Photo: YouVersion

YouVersion – Bible

And on the eighth day, God created the iPhone Bible app. While there are several Bible apps to choose from, YouVersion offers the most complete digital replica of the Holy Scriptures. It comes with translations into 41 languages. It also comes with various reading plans, has quick search and an easy interface that allows users to jump from verse to verse. It also lets people communicate with others in the bible community. And the best part? It’s free.

Photo: Batoul Apps

The Quran Reader

For Muslims, the Quran is also on the iPhone. The app has the entire Quran in its original Uthmani format in Arabic. The app also lets users flip through and read the Quran the exact same way they would a physical mus'haf. It has a bookmarking function and people can get the English translation of verses with a simple tap of a button. Users can also search for their favorite Quran text in English and Arabic.

Photo: iPhone screen shot

The Bhagavad-Gita

There’s an app for Hinduism as well. The Bhagavad-Gita, the holy Hindu scriptures, is available in its complete original Sanskrit Sloka form (along with an English translation) for the price of $4.99. The app isn’t as complex or as intricate as the others, but it still comes with a search function as well as the ability to pick favorite passages.

Photo: Rusty Brick

Mizrach Compass

This one is designed for Jewish people who want to know what direction to pray. This free app, from developer Rusty Brick, plots the direction of the Kodesh Hakodashim (31° 46' 40.8" N, 35° 14' 7.44" E), which is near the Kotel (Western Wall). Then using your current longitude and latitude plus the built in digital compass, it points user in that direction.