• Posted on Monday, May 5, 2008
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Where business meets religion: Holy drinking water

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By Audra Burch | Miami Herald

The instructions are simple: Read the Prayer . . / Drink the Water . . . / Believe in God! / Believe in Yourself!

Spiritual Water, the faith-inspired venture of two Florida businessmen, offers its drinkers clearer focus, positive thinking and connection to a higher power. The 11 different bottle designs in the company's collection bear prayers and impressively detailed images of Jesus Christ, St. Michael and the Virgin Mary.

Spiritual Water joins a broad slice of feel-good products — Testamint, Bible Gum and other bottled holy waters — emerging at the intersection of religion and commerce, entrepreneurship and pop culture. Spiritual Water's message is delivered in a 16.9-ounce plastic bottle that sells for $2. The Formula J' variety carries the image of Jesus in a crown of thorns and the Fatima prayer: Oh My Jesus, forgive us our sins. / Save us from the fires of hell. / Lead all souls into heaven, / especially those in need of the mercy. Amen.

California-based Holy Drinking Water offers a $1.49 half-liter that's been blessed in a warehouse by a priest. The New Jersey firm that makes Testamints offers berry, spearmint and peppermint mints wrapped in a verse of scripture. Bible Gum promises consumers they can can chew their way to spiritual enlightenment. Each box comes with a scripture verse.

Read the full story at MiamiHerald.com.

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