So, here is one if the things that is wrong with modern religion. A little while ago I was working down at one of those mega churches in South Carolina (seriously, it's huge, it inhabits the shell of an old mall!) because they often let me use their extensive video production facilities. I was in the control room when I looked down on the desk and saw this:


When I figured out what this "minnie-moo" shaped container was I was floored. It's a prepackaged, single serving, easy, convenient, "good to go", communion. Perfect for the modern Christian with a demanding schedule. And, as the web site says, salvation is now as easy as one, two, three.

The best part is that you can order a case of 100 for only $20.00! That's right, the everlasting love, salvation, body, and blood of Christ that is all man kind's for the asking now has a fixed price: about $.2o per serving, what a bargain.

These "celebration cups" are just a visible symptom of what is fundamentally wrong with modern religion. In an effort to reach out to secular members of society, they have lost the sense of holiness and sanctity that the church has to uphold. The fact that the rituals of religion are sacred is what makes them important, and prepackaged communion servings just seem to rob the ritual of its holiness. It was these kinds of attempts to identify with, and emulate the secular world that turned me off to religion when I was a teenager. It sends a message to the world that a faith is nothing more than a social club and security blanket. These little, plastic packages of holiness make the church look like a Wall Mart for the soul.

However, this didn’t stop me from ordering a case for myself. Sam and I thought they would make excellent Christmas party favors, and it never hurts to have some salvation around in case of apocalypse. So I hope you all found this as amusing as I did, there will be multiple projects involving these things coming down the line, including a short film. And if anyone out there works at a packaging factory for these things and is feeling particularly mischievous, then dose a batch with LSD! That could make for a truly religious experience.

-X?