Do material components actually have to be touched?

[paranoid]

Can someone please point out a reference to me that material components, foci or divine foci have to be touched to cast a spell? I stumbled over that problem while pondering if it would be useful to grease a clerics' holy symbol to prevent him from spellcasting. But, looking through the books and the SRD, I found nothing about that material components / foci have to be actually grasped in the moment of casting.

the only thing I found is

To cast a spell with a material (M), focus (F), or divine focus (DF) component, you have to have the proper materials, as described by the spell. Unless these materials are elaborate preparing these materials is a free action.

But does "preparing" really say that you have to touch it? Perhaps they just "disappear" out of your component pouch??

The only other reference I found is under the grappling entry:

You can attempt to cast a spell while grappling or even while pinned (see below), provided its casting time is no more than 1 standard action, it has no somatic component, and you have in hand any material components or focuses you might need.

But grappling is certainly not the usual environment.

While I always took for granted that those components need to be handled somehow, I'd like to see it confirmed by some rule.

thanks,
paranoid.

 

[AuraSeer]

The SRD says that when casting a spell you must "manipulate the material components or focus (if any)." If you're not touching the components, you can't manipulate them.

 

[Magic Slim]

From www.webster.com:

manipulate: to treat or operate with the hands or by mechanical means especially in a skillful manner

Which is good news, since wizards and sorcerers probably don't like handling bat guano everytime they cast fireball

Slim

 

[Urbannen]

I don't remember where I saw it, but I've seen it written that clerics don't have to manipulate their divine foci when casting a spell - they can just be wearing them.

 

[paranoid]

The SRD says that when casting a spell you must "manipulate the material components or focus (if any)." If you're not touching the components, you can't manipulate them.

thanks AS, I seem to have overlooked that completely. I think that clears things up a bit!

thanks all,
paranoid.