Will AI Robots be Our Next Spiritual Leaders

In a world where we have become so dependent on technology in every area of our life, the thought of a "cyber church" is not too far-fetched. As we venture into the realm of advanced AI, the idea of cyborgs, which are essentially humans with robotic parts or even robots leading our worship services, may soon become a reality. These cybernetic beings, programmed by human hands, could one day not only lead, teach, sing, and preach to us but also hold positions of leadership within our congregations.

A Cyber Church

Imagine entering a church where the stained glass reflects not just biblical characters but also digital images harmonizing with Gospel music. Your preacher is not the usual figure of moral authority but a cyborg whose sermon is a blend of ancient scriptures and computer-generated wisdom. The cyber church represents the crossroads of faith and technology, where the Spiritual Values meet Silicon Valley and where church boards could be replaced by circuit boards.

Programming the Divine

Pastor Robot would be designed to be a shepherd and a preacher. It would be configured with every translation of the bible as well as embedded with a database of every book ever written on theology and doctrine. In addition, these artificial intelligence beings would be meticulously coded with every sermon that has ever been preached and programmed to preach in the style and manner of the characteristic of their respective congregations. These robots would have digital minds that are engineered with precise instructions of human behavior, cultural nuances, and ethical codes. With Gigahertz processing speed for thinking and a Terabyte brain capacity for memory, these robots would not have many of our human limitations and could analyze vast quantities of religious texts, interpret moral complexities, and offer spiritual counseling and guidance with calculated precision. They would not require a salary, benefits, or a sabbatical. They would essentially be Pastor 2.0.

Beyond the Pulpit

As these cybernetic leaders evolve, their roles could make their debut outside of religion. They may first be present in schools, using their expansive databases to provide a tailored educational experience. Then, you would see them involved not just in education or spiritual matters but also in politics, law enforcement, and human service such as charity. Does Terminator and The Matrix now seem like a reality?

Many of us never imagined that we would really have the ability to talk into our Dick Tracey watches, but then there was the iWatch. Many of us never imagined, as we were looking at the Jetsons, that we would be able to look into a screen and see the people that we are talking to, but now we have Zoom and other platforms. Just the other day, I went into Lowe's and saw a robot roaming around decorated with a badge and the word security displayed across its chest. All of this makes you wonder how long it will be before our homes are cleaned by Rosey (The Jetsons) and our streets patrolled by RoboCop.

Humor: How to Pull the Plug on AI

I am reminded of a scene in the movie "I, Robot" where a curfew was established by the robots. An African American grandma dressed in her Sunday Best attempted to leave her apartment and was asked by a robot where she was going, and she answered, “To church.” However, the robot informed her that she would not be going to church today. I don’t know how it is in your culture, but in my culture, there is a serious problem when grandmas can not go to church.

In the TV series "Lost in Space," whenever the robot was confused or presented with a problem he could not handle, he would utter the words, "That does not compute, Will Robinson!" Then, he would release smoke and lose power.

So, if there is ever a need to Pull the Plug on AI, there would be no need for the military. Just let those robots try to stop Grandma from going to church and watch Grandma unleash a fury on robots that their sophisticated circuitry could never be programmed to handle.

Ethical Considerations

The rise of the cyber church and its cyborg leaders raises some profound ethical questions. Can spirituality be authentically delivered through circuitry and code? Do robots and cyborgs have a place in the deeply personal realm of faith?

This topic is full of questions yet to be answered. As we stand on the edge of a new era, we must reflect on what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world. Whether robots will lead our churches remains to be seen. However, what is certain is that conversations concerning how artificial intelligence and technology are currently being used should be considered with a cautious yet thoughtful and open mind.

Scripture

Genesis 11:1-9 says, Now, the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel; there, the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there, the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Invitation

The cyber church could one day be a reality. In the meantime, churches are still run by humans. Therefore, we warmly invite you to experience the fellowship and inspiration of our worship services in person at Transfiguration Baptist Church, located at 3732 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Our services begin at 11:00 AM every Sunday, where you’ll find a community ready to welcome you with open arms and hearts. Come and be a part of our journey in faith!

~ Pastor Frederick Scott, Jr.