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By Robert G. Jordan, October 15, 2024
Can technology enhance spiritual life, or will it challenge the essence of faith? 
Artificial intelligence is reshaping many aspects of life, and religion is no exception. As AI evolves, it is altering how religious practices are conducted, introducing both opportunities and risks for spiritual communities.
One major shift has been the use of AI to enhance accessibility in religious settings. Virtual sermons, AI-driven counseling, and even virtual pilgrimages to sacred sites like Mecca and Jerusalem offer new ways for believers to connect with their faith. As Mrym Faruq notes, “AI is transforming the spiritual realm,” allowing a broader participation in religious life while addressing physical and logistical barriers. AI also plays a role in supporting religious leaders by assisting in sermon preparation. By analyzing sacred texts and historical sermons, AI can suggest relevant themes and scripture for future teachings. While this reduces some of the burdens on spiritual leaders, it also raises concerns about the loss of personal insight and the depth that comes with human reflection. Phil Cooke argues that dismissing digital tools is not an option for credible leadership today, but there’s a delicate balance to maintain: “Faith, at its core, is deeply human—rooted in empathy, connection, and the search for meaning. Artificial intelligence may enhance certain aspects of religious life, but it can never replace the unique qualities that make faith so personal.” In some cases, AI's capabilities have led to unsettling speculations. Some experts envision the rise of AI-based religions. Advanced AI could evoke awe, creating an experience akin to religious reverence. The article "AI As God?" suggests that people could view AI as a higher power: “Imagine what an unsettling and powerful experience it will be to have a conversation with something that appears to possess a superhuman intelligence and is actively and aggressively asking for your allegiance.” Such a scenario introduces risks of manipulation, underlining the need for careful regulation. The Catholic Church has also begun to respond to these developments. Prominent voices like Father Philip Larrey, who has acted as a bridge between the Vatican and Silicon Valley, emphasize the need for ethical frameworks for AI development. Larrey warns against giving AI human-like qualities, stating that while AI simulates certain attributes, “it may not truly possess the same understanding or agency as humans.” His work pushes for a human-centered approach to AI, ensuring technology serves people rather than diminishing human dignity. While AI introduces new possibilities, it also raises significant ethical concerns. Can a machine, even one as advanced as AI, truly understand the depth of human spirituality? The concern extends beyond technical capabilities to questions about authority. As AI takes on more interpretive roles in religious contexts, some fear it could undermine the traditional authority of religious leaders, shifting influence away from human experience and toward algorithms. At the heart of the matter is not the technology itself, but the questions it forces us to ask—about belief, authority, and the human role in spirituality. AI may be reshaping faith, but the ultimate answers lie in how we define and safeguard our sacred truths. In my view, while AI can enhance aspects of religious practice, it risks diluting the deeply human essence of faith, which thrives on personal connection, empathy, and the search for meaning beyond what technology can offer. RGJ 💻🎣 By Charlie G. Peterson, IV, October 8, 2024
As artificial intelligence reshapes the world, religious communities are rethinking how faith and technology coexist. 
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping nearly every facet of life, including religion, where its impact is profound, controversial, and far-reaching. Religious communities worldwide are grappling with AI’s ethical dilemmas, its potential to enhance faith practices, and the existential questions it raises.
As AI systems become more integrated into daily life, many religious leaders and followers are left wondering how this technology fits into their spiritual beliefs. In Catholicism, AI’s ethical implications are gaining serious attention. The "Rome Call for AI Ethics" from 2020, supported by the Vatican, highlights the Church’s efforts to engage with AI from a moral and humanistic perspective. This initiative seeks to ensure AI development respects human dignity and the common good. The Church’s position emphasizes caution, advocating for AI to serve humanity rather than control or replace it. Religious leaders like Sister Hosea Rupprecht are already questioning the moral responsibilities that come with advanced technologies like AI, which can both connect and alienate people from their spiritual roots. “Countries where scientific and religious beliefs are seen as compatible tend to have better overall well-being,” In healthcare, the intersection of AI and religion is particularly relevant. The University of Santo Tomas explored the Catholic approach to AI ethics in healthcare, emphasizing that while AI has great potential in medicine, it must not dehumanize care. This view, published in the Springer Journal, stresses that AI should complement human compassion and decision-making.
A recent global study underscores the broader potential for harmony between science, technology, and religion. Published in PsyPost, the research found that when scientific and religious beliefs are perceived as compatible within a country, societal well-being improves. This suggests that reducing perceived conflicts between these belief systems could enhance both psychological and public health. “Countries where scientific and religious beliefs are seen as compatible tend to have better overall well-being,” the study noted, highlighting the potential for AI and religious practices to coexist in meaningful ways (PsyPost - Psychology News). AI’s impact on religion may be in its infancy, but it has the potential to redefine how communities practice faith, understand morality, and even perceive the divine. As AI continues to evolve, so too will its relationship with the spiritual lives of millions around the world. - CGP📜🗿 Christian Advocate Launches Petition to Defend AI Music Creation Amid Industry ChallengesAs a Christian, I believe that creativity is a gift meant to be shared freely. I feel called to use my God-given voice to advocate for creative freedoms and accessibility for all.”— Jack Righteous Jack Righteous calls for support to keep AI music tools accessible, promoting innovation and creative freedom in the music industry.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, September 30, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Jack Righteous, a Christian advocate and proponent of technological advancement in creative fields, has launched a petition titled "Defend AI Music Creation: Support Innovation and Accessibility" in response to growing concerns over potential legal challenges facing AI music platforms like Suno AI. The petition seeks to rally support for the continued democratization of music creation through artificial intelligence. Introduction The music industry is at a pivotal moment as discussions intensify around the role of AI in music creation. Some major record labels have expressed concerns about AI-powered music platforms, citing issues related to copyright and fair competition. These developments threaten to limit access to innovative tools that have empowered countless creators worldwide. Here. Ai Art Cannot Be Offered in LoveBy Leah Libresco Sargeant, 9/2024
This summer, I was sad to see a defaced image of Christ’s face circulating on X (formerly Twitter). The warped image, derived from the Shroud of Turin, hadn’t been made by anti-theists aiming at blasphemy. The image was generated using AI by a British tabloid and was shared by erring but good-faith Catholics. The Shroud of Turin is miraculous for preserving, through an unknown means, the image of Christ. It is not a photograph. When its shadowy image of the Holy Face sharpens our hunger to know Christ more intimately, we should seek that consummation in the Eucharist, rather than turning to AI to go beyond what God had given. Unfortunately, the widespread accessibility of AI has increased the temptation to turn to these tools to generate devotional art—or worse, pastoral advice. For now, my children (ages four, two, and newborn) are too young to use a computer or discuss the machine learning techniques these tools rely on, but I still see it as part of my job as a parent to teach them how to value art and artists. They will grow up in a world saturated by AI slop, where the purpose of creating and contemplating beauty is increasingly obscured. One choice in the design of Word on Fire Votive books gave me a helpful way to begin my children’s education. Read the entire article here. Sacred Art or Synthetic Imitation? The Catholic Challenge to AI-Driven CreationsOne prominent example of AI’s encroachment into sacred art is the project known as “generation of the sAInts,” where AI-generated images of saints have been created and shared on platforms like Instagram and Reddit.
This initiative, led by Julian Ahlquist, a philosophy teacher at Chesterton Academy in Minnesota, and Fr. Timothy Sandquist, former chaplain of the same institution, aims to use AI as a tool for evangelization. Read the article, here: Word On Fire 
Lutheran Alliance for Faith: Kurzweil’s Singularity is nearer...✝️Ray Kurzweil’s Singularity is nearer. He has just renewed his 2005 futuristic forecast: expect the Singularity by 2045 or so. If you don’t recall the Singularity, here it is again.
“…we will merge with AI and augment ourselves with millions of times the computational power that our biology gave us. This will expand our intelligence and consciousness so profoundly that it’s difficult to comprehend. This event is what I mean by the Singularity” (Kurzweil 2024, 1). Kurzweil melds AI (Artificial Intelligence) with IA (Intelligence Amplification) to advance Homo sapiens to the next stage in our evolution — that is, cyborg hybridization. Might this evolutionary advance lead to a new posthuman species? Is this what “trans” in “transhumanism” refers to? Faith in progress Kurzweil’s Singularity is nearer because of recent leaps forward in AI technology such as LLMs (Large Language Models), ChatGPT, and compendious computational capacity. Toward a public theology of technology Might Kurzweil’s The Singularity is Nearer risk overreach? Kurzweil fails to see that AI, like any other technology, is morally ambiguous. It can be used for good or evil. There is no built-in telos or providential hand guiding the law of accelerating concerns. Read the rest, here from Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology. |
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By Jeremy Stone, October 8, 2024
Can artificial intelligence enhance sermons without losing the spiritual connection? 
Ai-generated sermons are an inevitable reality in a world increasingly dominated by automation, and for many overworked pastors, it's a tempting solution.
Tools like "Sermon Spark" promise to ease the burden by generating the framework of a sermon, freeing up time for pastors to focus on other ministerial duties(Religion Unplugged)(MinistryWatch). But is this convenience worth the cost? For AI to be used ethically in the pulpit, it must function as an assistive tool—not a crutch that diminishes the spiritual essence of preaching. Technologically speaking, AI is brilliant at synthesizing large amounts of data and producing coherent text. Yet, the question we face is whether AI can understand the depth of human experience or the nuances of faith. At best, AI offers pastors research shortcuts, providing data on scriptural interpretations, historical contexts, or even creative suggestions. But it lacks the most critical element in sermon writing: the ability to tap into the soul of the speaker and their connection with the congregation(The Presbyterian Outlook). There’s a personal wrestle with Scripture that AI cannot replicate, a process where the pastor’s vulnerabilities and experiences are woven into the message(MinistryWatch). For technologists exploring AI in the church, the comparison to other creative industries is relevant. AI can write music, generate art, and even craft essays, but each of these outputs lacks the emotional texture of its human-made counterparts. Similarly, a sermon is not just a collection of theological facts strung together. It’s a living dialogue between a pastor, their congregation, and God. AI’s limitations in emotional intelligence mean that while it can provide pastors with ideas or assist with research, it cannot replace the genuine spiritual reflection required for impactful preaching(Religion Unplugged). AI offers pastors remarkable support, from organizing sermon research to streamlining ideas, but it can never capture the essence of personal experience and spiritual insight. Sermons are not simply logical constructs or data points; they embody the life and faith of the pastor delivering them. AI can complement this process, but the richness of human connection and reflection remains irreplaceable(The Roys Report)( Religion Unplugged). Rather than seeing AI as a shortcut, it’s a tool that pastors can use to refine their message while still maintaining the soul and depth only human experience can provide(MinistryWatch). JS 🕵🛰 By Genevieve Charles, 9/2024
This summer, Mark Andrew Jefferson, who was leading a teaching workshop at Princeton Theological Seminary, prompted ChatGPT to write a homily based on the Gospel of Luke’s parable of the good Samaritan. For good measure, he ordered the artificial intelligence engine to mimic the style of the late, legendary evangelist Billy Graham. “Students were excited because we helped them to do some of the work necessary, but also some of them were dismayed When Jefferson showed the results to the students in his workshop, they were split on the possibilities of AI-generated sermons. Some were enthusiastic, others ambivalent but curious. Yet others were concerned about what it might spell for their future livelihood as preachers: As do many people in any number of vocations, they feared that AI will render humans dispensable.
Read the rest, here. AI and Islam: Navigating the Path Between Progress and Ethics🕋☪️Muslim professionals and scholars acknowledge the dual nature of AI, with both positive and negative implications for life and societies.
Approaching AI as a technological challenge, they advocate for a critical and selective utilization of this evolving technology. Despite its potential benefits, there are concerns about the misuse of AI, especially in instilling values contrary to Islamic principles, such as apostasy, radicalization, and terrorism. Read the entire work, here. ☸️Buddhism, the human mind and artificial intelligence (AI)Humans and other animals are made of three constituents, namely the physical body, mind, and memory. While the physical body is made of matter and energy, the mind is a non-physical functional component. There are five sensors located in the physical body, namely the eye, ear, nose, tongue and the entire body, that capture the external environment.
These pieces of captured information in the form of visual, audio, smell, taste and touch are taken up by the mind as thoughts, one at a time. The mind processes these and subsequently stores them as memories. This memory, in turn, becomes the second source of thoughts. The third source of thoughts is the physical body itself in the form of aches and pains, thirst, hunger, the urge to urinate and defecate, and so on. Read the rest, here. Technological disruption for better or ill 🌋🗻...there are plenty of new ways of ‘seeing’ what was previously unseen that AI can give us. From insights on how to develop new drug therapies to spotting breast cancer earlier on mammograms, the potential is both inspiring and humbling....
The interaction between human and machine holds the potential to destroy or save our planet — and true to form we humans will likely not agree on the best way forward. To be clear there are many types of AI and large language models out there. Each serving a different purpose. But two arenas are looming in our future, according to experts — quantum computing and artificial general intelligence or AGI for short.
Both are considered “disruptors” to AI as we know it today. Read the entire article, here at Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology 
Oh boy.
Sure...worry about legislating Ai in the EU. Right - the US Congress is all over new laws about social media, fake news and hate speech. And yes, California is locking down Ai creativity while the creatives in La La Land fight the Ai onslaught. Unionize. Protest. Destroy all Digital Looms. "It Just Doesn't Matter" - from Jesus to Hitler, Galileo to Fermi, Zeus to Prometheus, the party is just getting started. American Gods in real time. It isn't the question of being factual or not.
It isn't that research, myth and religion combine for an intriguing story, perhaps the "greatest story ever told" of singularity. It isn't that a seven foot swath of cloth, shrouded in mystery and emblazoned with an 'image' of a man can stir the mind and souls of millions. "The data profiles were fully compatible with analogous measurements obtained on a linen sample whose dating, according to historical records, is 55-74 AD..." What the latest chapter of the Shroud of Turin tells us, prophesizes, we have no idea what the power of our creations wield over the imagination and the essence of what it means to be human. Belief. Faith. Trust. Ai is a concave mirror; magnifying at nearness, upside down further away. Read the rest, here. AI’s need for our higher nature 🌲🌱Recognizing God, Spirit, as the one divine Mind equips us to engage with artificial intelligence in ways that foster order, truth, and wisdom.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing exponentially; it already touches many aspects of our lives and includes both promises to be fulfilled and perils to be averted. It has brought not only usefulness but also profound questions about, for instance, what intelligence is and what it means to think.
This rapidly expanding technology calls for us to answer these questions and others by better understanding and demonstrating our true, spiritual nature as the expression of the omnipotent divine Mind, or God, that is intelligence itself. Our spiritual individuality is real and present now, giving us authority over all human innovation. AI draws on extensive sources and includes information that can be factual and/or brilliant but also fabricated and/or biased. Higher forms of AI can automate and analyze processes and determine outcomes. Read the rest, here: The Christian Science Monitor |
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🛐Meet the Catholic priest who wants AI leaders to think more about God...
🛐Digital Change is More Significant Than You Think... 🛐PRS* XXII Politics 🛐Garbage Time 🛐What a scientist can learn from leading a church bible study... 🛐The Intersection of Religion and AI: How Faith Is Evolving with Technology 🛐Faith, Ethics and AI: Shaping a Future for Global Peace 🛐Ai As God? Ai Could Spark Religious Devotion 🛐Notre Dame to Explore Faith-Based Ethical Uses of AI... 
World🌎 needs a new Vivekananda for the age of AIBy Bill Drexel, September 2024
Vivekananda’s talent for amplifying ancient wisdom to a globalized world takes on new urgency with emerging technologies. This week will mark one hundred and thirty-one years since Swami Vivekananda electrified the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago with his opening speech reintroducing Hinduism to the world—a watershed moment for both Indian nationalism and Indian spiritual traditions alike. Vivekananda’s words launched Indic thought to newfound global recognition, offering timeless wisdom to a world shocked by rapid transformations in the 13 decades since. Read the entire article, here. 🛐Medieval theology has an old take on a new problem − AI responsibility
🛐Is Artificial Intelligence A Threat To Christianity? 🛐The Catholic Church Wants To Have a Say on the Future of AI...⛪️ 🛐Greg's Ai Prediction #17 A World Without Religion... Robots and the Resurrection🤖Dennett and Dawkins could very well conclude that the concept of “God” was merely a metaphorical projection of humanity’s highest potential, and the kingdom of God prophesied in the Bible was really a foreshadowment of the kingdom of Robots.
Or perhaps the Gospel accounts of the Resurrection were interpreted incorrectly all these years... Read the entire article, here. How AI could change our relationship with religion...🕊
Gods in the machine? The rise of artificial intelligence may result in new religions... Religion Should Engage with Technology and AI...🤖 Ai Prediction #1, A World Without Programmers Ai Prediction #2, A World without Apps Ai Prediction #3, A World Without Operating System Ai Prediction #5, A World Without C-Levels Ai Prediction #6, A World Where Art & Science Are One Ai Prediction #9, An Ai with Human Speech capabilities. Ai Prediction #10, Ai will Prove or Disprove All Our Theories Ai Prediction #12, A World Without Data Ai Prediction #17, A World Without Religion Ai Prediction #20 We Create Our Own Entertainment... All of Greg's Ai Predictions Ai religion Sources & Methods
Word on Fire Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology The Christian Science Monitor Church Leaders Patheos WardheerNews WorldCrunch |
