Mass: We Pray is a video game parody that doesn't outright admit to making fun of the Wii, but for some reason, that makes it only more endearing. Because I know a generic cross Wiimote and Balance Board kneeler when I see one.

But while I may have laughed, I could have tolerated a few more HEADSHOTS. And I can't help but to admit, Wii Pray is the only third party developer opportunity to outsell the next Mario title. [We Pray Thanks Eric!]

It's not that people think holy water cures the dreaded pig disease (although I'm sure some do), it's that when everyone kept sharing from the same big basin of holy water, it turned into a holy cesspool. This is much more sanitary. And you know what they say about cleanliness and godliness and all that. [Telegraph via Boing Boing]

Over the last five days, the Vatican invited 30 of the world's leading scientists to participate in a "study week" on astrobiology that focuses on questions regarding life's origins and the existence of extraterrestrial life. What conclusions they arrived at have not been made public, but there are plans in the works to publish the findings.

At any rate, this move is further evidence that the Vatican is taking a kinder, gentler, more active role in science and technological progress. After all, theology and science don't have to be mutually exclusive. [Physorg via PopSci]

Pismo Swiete Stary/Nowy Testament translates to "Sacred Scripture Old / New Testament." And while The Bible would make for one hell of a brutal video game, it appears that PS3 owners will need to settle for the written version in this latest bundle.

But given much of the world's deep ties to various religions, maybe packaging under-performing consoles with a variety of holy texts wouldn't be the worst marketing scheme. After all, there is no Official Game System of Jesus Christ yet (at least in this generation of consoles). [Wykop via Maxconsole]

The fatwa—which is just a a decree issued by an Islamic scholar—on cellphone usage issued by a panel of clerics from the Islamic group Jamia Ashraf-ul-Madaris in the Indian city of Kanpur.

Worse still is if you had an aayat as a ringtone and could hear it in the toilet. Senior cleric Ghyasuddin says that, "If the phone rings and an aayat can be heard in the toilet, it is a sin." Also according to the fatwa, you can't even leave the phone on vibrate when you pray, since it's still too distracting.

But really, you shouldn't be bringing your phone into the bathroom anyway, it's just kind of gross, especially if you have a touchscreen phone. [Channel 4 via Inquirer]

While the creationist groups did not manage to get the bulk of their agenda included in the State Board of Education's legislation, they did pass a few amendments casting doubt on the theory of evolution. Some tricky language, like an amendment requiring students to "analyze and evaluate scientific explanations concerning any data on sudden appearance and stasis and the sequential groups in the fossil record," is more insidious than it seems. When new textbooks come up for review in 2012, the board can reject books that they feel do not adequately address the issue, a key creationist talking point. And as Texas is a major buyer, textbook publishers may be forced to alter their products so as to avoid conflict with the self-proclaimed creationists on the Texas Board of Education, which could affect the rest of the country as well.

It remains to be seen if these new amendments will indeed affect science textbooks, and hopefully they'll make no difference at all. Check out Salon's article for more information from a decidedly pro-science point of view. [Salon]

But no, seriously. What the hell is a "kosher" GPS unit? Apparently this kind of thing has been happening for a while, and has a pretty simple explanation. Many Orthodox rabbis discourage internet access, but do allow certain basic technologies like cellphones and, I guess, GPS devices. The Mio Ma'amin (translation: Mio Believer) is mindful of a variety of orthodox sensitivities, as it is stripped of online connectivity, contains a directory of thousands of kosher restaurants and Jewish points of interest, a bevy of prayer materials and a male, or rather, not female, voice.

It's a shame that intense religion is so effective at destroying irony, because most of this device's customers will never appreciate the humor in trying to divine the correct specs for your GPS unit from thousands-of-years-old documents printed on parchment scrolls. Oh well! The Ma'amin's going on sale in Israel for about $240. [Jerusalem Post —Thanks, Michael!]

Google is the closest thing to an Omniscient (all-knowing) entity in existence, which can be scientifically verified. She indexes over 9.5 billion WebPages, which is more than any other search engine on the web today. Not only is Google the closest known entity to being Omniscient, but She also sorts through this vast amount of knowledge using Her patented PageRank technology, organizing said data and making it easily accessible to us mere mortals.

I always try to follow Google's laws. She holds all my emails, after all. [The Church of Google via The Daily What]

In addition, Mary and Joseph were equipped with GPS and the entire family was encased in plexiglass to avoid future theft by godless heathens. Now Ricky Bobby can rest easy knowing that little baby Jesus is safe in his manger watchin' the Baby Einstein videos, learnin' 'bout shapes and colors. [AP via Chicago Tribune]

[Ares via DangerRoom]

The position of the bead can be measured and heard as audio beads on a sensitive range of the cable. Due to technical possibilities, the new rosary can help a person to learn the prayer; the right mysteries are inserted automatically and there are various modes for choosing the degree of difficulty.

iRosary [Yanko]

Driven by students and powered by the Spirit, HD turns the channel of the ordinary life into God's best! Defining answers will adjust a world of grain and grey to one of clarity and color.

High Definition College Ministry [Via News.com]

Product Page [Via Uber-review]

As you can see in the picture, portraits of Our Lord and Savior, which look like they were lifted from every scene in The Da Vinci Code, grace each and every bandage. These "designer bandages" (would Jesus approve of his face being used to sell trinkets?) might not heal you any faster, but then again, did he ever think that people would be promoting his name in sports arena with rock music blaring?

In any event, you can grab these spiritually fulfilling bandages for $4.95 per tin. Be on the lookout for Archie McPhee-branded indulgences this fall. – Nicholas Deleon

Jesus Bandages [Archie McPhee via productdose.com]

The clock would be great for the lazy Catholics who want to learn popular verses without having to take a lot of time to read that pesky bible ... Damnit. I failed. – Travis Hudson

The Catholic Clock - Time for the Word [Gadgetizer]