Phone Apps for Religion

I can't imagine many hipsters filling their smartphones with prayer apps. However, the decidedly unhip world of conventional religion has discovered the gadgets' expressive utility. A Washington Post story published today explores this curious phenomenon.

One can only imagine what would happen if a religiously inclined individual were to reach his or her version of the pearly gates. Attached to the gates would be a sign that reads "Cell phone-free zone. Forever." How would they feel?

Of course, hell for some might consist of coexisting for infinity among cell phone abusers. One can only wonder what circle of hell Dante would have found suitable for them. I think the Florentine poet, who possessed a spiteful personality, would have found a special place in hell for cell phone executives.

The portrait of Dante, by the way, was painted by Andrea del Castagno in 1450. Its current home is the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.