(October 25, 2010 at 11:44 am)Thor Wrote: Christians believe that a man in a robe saying some magic words transforms "regular" water into "holy" water, thus giving it magical properties. Well, what happens when that water evaporates? Are those water molecules still "holy"? In that case, as the molecules scatter they would rise into the atmosphere and form water droplets and eventually fall as rain somewhere. Does the presence of a molecule of "holy water" transform a drop of rain into "holy water"? And, since priests have been making "holy water" for nearly 2,000 years, this would mean that there must be molecules of "holy water" in virtually everything we use. We wash our cars with "holy water". We use "holy water" in our toilets. There is "holy water" in beer, and when we urinate, we're pissing out "holy water".
What do Christians think of this? Does "holy water" cease to be "holy" when it evaporates? What if I pour "holy water" down the drain? Is it still "holy" when it mixes with water in the sewer? When does it stop being "holy"? And why would it stop being "holy"?
Any thoughts?
"Holy Water" is purely a symbol for purity and renewal. You seem to think that this water just becomes "holy" and stays like this forever, like in vampire movies. This is nonsense. The water poured on a child's head for baptism is holy in the context, in the instant, because of what it represents. Same goes for the "holy water" that christians dip their fingers in and then make a cross on their foreheads with. It's symbolic, it represents an idea.
Just like a candle lit on the altar is not a holy candle, it is a symbol of life and light.
If you take an american flag, then paint it red, is it still an american flag ? No, because it is no longer a symbol.
For example, Lourdes, in France, is supposed to be a holy place where you can go to be cured. But it's not being at Lourdes that carries the significance, it's the journey, and that is where the whole notion of pilgrimage comes from.
The water stops being "holy" the moment it is no longer a symbol, that's it. I really don't see how this is an issue.
