A fool and his money.

There is an old saying that a fool and his money are soon parted. That maxim explains why religion is such a lucrative business. And what is wonderful for the con men in the field is that because it is religion they don't need any evidence! All they have to do is claim faith. No other area of society is so exempt from reason.

Now we have some con man lining his pocket by selling bottled Holy Drinking Water. Of course bottled water itself is one major con. This guy goes one better. He sells water which he says was blessed by a Catholic or Anglican priest. That priests of either faith would join in this enterprise shows you the level of morality they hold. The company owner, Brian Germann, says: "We thought people should have something that, like holy water that they could drink would help protect them from the devil." Apparently it works as no one has reported seeing the Devil after drinking it. But it doesn't protect one from con men.

He's only sold the water on the internet and at one market but he's sold 3,000 bottles. Since bottled water often relies on the assumption by health food nuts that the water is more nutritious or better for you it is no suprise that the same people will buy holy bottled water. People who fall for one false con game are quite prone to fall for others.


The water, which is just plain purified water that some shaman prayed over, carries a label telling sinners they might have burning, skin irritation, etc. if they drink the water. Right! Sure, they do. The label says: "Warning to sinners: If you are a sinner or evil in nature, this product may cause burning, intense heat, sweating, skin irritations, rashes, itchiness, vomiting, bloodshot and watery eyes, pale skin color and oral irritations."

The con man says he wants to create other versions of the water for different faiths. Sure, a great idea. He can have water just for Baptists -- sold by the tub load. He can have Jewish water that parts when you walk near it. He can have Muslim water that actually ignites and is useful for burning effigies, American flags and disobedient daughters. Maybe he can produce a version just for priests which, if poured on altar boys will dissolve their clothes. The Calvinist version is recommended as a refreshing drink after a community stoning.