Apple bans 'Me So Holy' app for iPhone

Another day, another controversy over Apple's App Store approval policies. This time the application under the microscope is Me So Holy, which enables iPhone and iPod touch users to fashion their personal photos into portraits resembling Jesus Christ--on his blog, developer Benjamin Kahle writes that Apple rejected the app on grounds it "contains objectionable material and is in violation of Section 3.3.12 from the iPhone SDK Agreement which states: ‘Applications must not contain any obscene, pornographic, offensive or defamatory content or materials of any kind (text, graphics, images, photographs, etc.), or other content or materials that in Apple's reasonable judgement may be found objectionable by iPhone or iPod touch users.'"

Kahle also cites recent uproars over the App Store's removal of Sikalosoft's "Baby Shaker" application as well as its rejection of an "objectionable" app featuring music from industrial group Nine Inch Nails. (Apple has since reversed course and accepted the NIN app after all, without any changes.) "Our question is, is religion really to be placed in the same category as these violent apps? Sex, urine and defecation don't seem to be off-limits, yet a totally non-violent, religion-based app is," Kahle writes. "We feel that Apple is being too sensitive to its perceived user group and are disappointed that this otherwise creative, freethinking company would reject such a positive and fun application. The message to developers is that they should think inside the box, rather than outside it."

For more on the Me So Holy controversy:
- read this Wired article and also check out this Me So Holy demo video