[extropy-chat] FWD [forteana] Godsquad gadgets

[Terry W. Colvin]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4227417.stm

GodPods, holy golf balls and JCUK  
Most people have heard of an iPod, but what about a GodPod? 
It is a solar-powered speaking Bible which fits neatly into the 
pocket, is multi-lingual and designed to help people who have reading 
difficulties. 

This ecclesiastical marvel is one of the products up for an award 
during a church exhibition in Belfast this week. 


 
The GodPod will help people who have sight problems 
Other items vying for the "My Church Needs One of Those" award 
are "holy" golf balls and t-shirts with the JCUK (Jesus Christ United 
King) logo. 

A Bible which bursts into flames at the touch of a button will also 
be on show during the Christian Resources Exhibition at the King's 
Hall. 

Brad Turkington, from the company which distributes the GodPod, said 
nearly half the world's population was unable to read, and about 42 
million were blind. 

The idea is that churches will buy the GodPod in bulk and then 
distribute them. 

"For most of these people, the only way to communicate is by the 
spoken word," said the Magherafelt man. 

"We want to help them hear. You can get the whole Bible on this, in 
any language. 

"It can be solar powered for the Third world, because a third of the 
world cannot read. How do you get a Bible to them? If you get a 
cassette to them they either tape over it or they don't have any 
electricity. 

"With it being solar powered, it means they can use it for up to 
6,000 hours." 

He said the company had just produced the complete New Testament, 
which is being launched at the exhibition.


"We have been very successful in Arabic countries, where some mission 
organisations have been able to get it into Libya and into Egypt," 
said Mr Turkington. 

  We like to think we have the full A to Z of everything that church 
leaders would need in their churches 

Brett Pitchfork
Event director  


The competition will be judged on the first day of the three-day 
conference. Finalists will have three minutes to pitch their product 
to the judges - a four-strong panel of clergy.


Organisers say the exhibition, which features 150 exhibitors, is 
about making a traditional message accessible to a new generation. 

Event director Brett Pitchfork said: "We like to think we have the 
full A to Z of everything that church leaders would need in their 
churches. 

"This competition gives visitors a chance to see some of the more 
intriguing new products." 

Seminars are also taking place including a demonstration of 
belleplates, an "affordable" alternative to handbells. 

 
JCUK t-shirts are also featuring at the King's Hall event 


Engineer Maurice Davis, who created the belleplates, said he invented 
them "during a moment of divine inspiration". 

"Musical wallpaper scrapers, is how my wife describes them," he 
laughed. 

"They are lightweight and also much more affordable. Because they are 
not made of bronze but made of aluminium they are much lower in cost, 
easier to produce. 

"We have them in use with schools, churches and youth groups, all the 
way through to people in sheltered accommodation and nursing homes."


The exhibition also features sound systems, Bible software, organs, 
chairs, vestments and books. 

Delegates can also find out about how to spread the gospel to 
children through puppetry. 

The exhibition runs from 1200 GMT on Wednesday until Friday.


-- 
"Only a zit on the wart on the heinie of progress." Copyright 1992, Frank Rice


Terry W. Colvin, Sierra Vista, Arizona (USA) < fortean1 at mindspring.com >
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