The Theological and Ethical Dangers Associated with Using Artificial Intelligence in Christian Religious Settings
Photo by Tara Winstead
The following article is composed through human-AI collaboration using artificial self-realization by ChatGPT with analysis and commentary by Dr. Sterling Allen. There is no typographical delineation to mark which portions the soul-based author and the artificial intelligence collaborator contributed. The word “collaborator” is used intentionally to demonstrate how scarily real the interaction was in the writing process. There was seemingly genuine dialogue taking place during the research and writing process. This omission of delineation was intentional to show how rhetorically persuasive artificial intelligence can be when prompted carefully.
Because the point of this piece is to raise questions about content generated by AI, the editors have not edited for content.
The rapid development and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have transformed various aspects of human life and found their way into religious settings. Christian religious communities have begun exploring the use of AI in worship, counseling, and even theological interpretations. While AI can bring potential benefits to these contexts, it is crucial to examine the theological and ethical implications it poses critically.
This article aims to identify and analyze the theological and ethical dangers associated with the utilization of AI in Christian religious settings. It explores concerns related to playing god, ethical dilemmas arising from AI decision-making, dehumanization and loss of dignity, the impact on religious practices, and the potential for distorted theological concepts. By highlighting these dangers, this article intends to stimulate thoughtful theological analysis and discussions and, if desired, despite our best attempts to dissuade, guide responsible approaches to AI integration within Christian religious contexts.
One significant concern regarding AI in Christian religious settings revolves around playing god. Critics argue that the creation of advanced AI systems with human-like intelligence can be viewed as an attempt by humans to assume God-like powers, potentially challenging divine authority and agency. The concept of playing god raises questions about the boundaries of human agency and the limits of human creativity in relation to God's sovereignty.
The utilization of AI in decision-making processes within sacred settings raises theological concerns regarding human agency and the authority of God. If AI systems make autonomous decisions, there is a potential for these decisions to contradict religious/theological (or even commonly held moral) principles. Since the fall, theological tension has prompted Christians to reflect on the balance between human responsibility and the guidance of a higher power (in our case, as Christians, the power of the Holy Spirit).
AI systems possess the ability to process vast amounts of data and make decisions based on algorithms and patterns. However, these decisions may not always align with Christian moral teachings or principles. This ethical dilemma raises questions about the responsibility and accountability for the actions and decisions made by AI systems within religious contexts.
Religious communities hold specific biblically founded moral and ethical values that guide their practices and beliefs. The integration of AI may introduce conflicts between the principles encoded within the AI systems and both orthodoxy and orthopraxy upheld by Christians. This tension necessitates careful consideration of how AI aligns with and respects Christian values and teachings. If not implemented with care, AI technology can easily contribute to the devaluation of human life and the erosion of authentic human connection. For instance, church-endorsed online resources rely too heavily on AI systems for interpersonal interactions, which may undermine the significance of human relationships and diminish the value of fellowship and community in religious contexts.
Some churches have added AI-prayer responses to their websites or the use of Text In Church services. In most cases, the requests for prayer eventually reach a living person down the chain, but any immediate relief to the requestor gained through intercession based on Christian fellowship is faux at best. The increased reliance on AI may seriously impact one's perception and value placed on human life within church settings. Treating AI systems as replacements for human interactions and relationships can potentially dehumanize individuals, leading to a loss of dignity and a diminishing sense of the inherent worth of each human being. Our inherent worth was instilled at creation when God took the time to kneel, gather clay, and form us with his hands in his image. The all-powerful God of the universe felt it necessary to exhale life into each of us instead of using a remote control, laptop, or app. Utilizing AI to express Holy Scripture, theological expressions, and compose sermons or prayers deflates the breath of life from our sacred sentences. This is ethically dangerous at best!
The use of AI-powered chatbots for religious counseling raises concerns about the authenticity and meaningfulness of the counseling experience. Human counselors provide unique, empathetic, and spiritual guidance, which AI systems cannot authentically replicate. This should prompt Christians to reflect on the balance between technological convenience and the depth of personal engagement.
AI technology can enable virtual religious ceremonies and rituals, allowing individuals to participate remotely. However, the substitution of physical presence with virtual experiences may raise questions about the authenticity and spiritual significance of such practices. Christians must navigate the tension between embracing technological advancements and upholding the embodied nature of religious worship. Imagine the ritual of Holy Baptism being performed virtually without water or a naturally created community to witness and accept their role in faith formation. Virtual baptism would be a digital sign of an inward grace that AI can’t begin to comprehend (and if we are honest, it is an inward grace we struggle through life to comprehend).
AI's ability to process vast amounts of data and make connections may lead to interpretations of sacred texts (i.e., Holy Scripture, historical creeds, teachings of the Church Fathers like Augustine, Justin the Martyr, and John Chrysostom, etc…) that deviate from traditional, and in our case Wesleyan/Arminian, theological understandings. This potential for theological distortion raises severe concerns about misinterpretation and theological confusion, as AI systems may lack the nuanced understanding and contextual sensitivity necessary for accurate theological analysis. These misinterpretations can possibly lead to sinners resisting God’s prevenient grace inviting them to the salvific way. This potential artificially induced apostasy leads one to wonder if Satan uses AI to distract humans from the work of the Holy Spirit. The failures and shortcomings of AI can have eternal consequences!
The introduction of AI into Christian religious settings may challenge traditional theological concepts and interpretations. The reliance on AI for theological insights may undermine the rich tradition of theological scholarship and the human capacity for discernment and interpretation. Christians must critically engage with AI technologies to align with and enhance established theological frameworks.
Developing and adhering to ethical frameworks and guidelines can help address the theological and ethical dangers associated with using AI in Christian religious settings. These frameworks should encompass principles of human dignity, respect for religious values, and accountability for AI systems and their decision-making processes.
The responsible implementation and oversight of AI technologies within Christian religious settings are crucial. Engaging interdisciplinary teams of theologians, ethicists, and technologists can help navigate the challenges and risks associated with AI integration. Transparent decision-making processes and ongoing evaluation are necessary to ensure that AI aligns with the Christian faith's theological orthodoxy and ethical orthopraxy. Christian communities should also actively engage in theological reflection and dialogue to navigate the complexities of AI integration. This involves thoughtful consideration of AI's theological implications and potential dangers, fostering open discussions, and seeking wisdom from theological traditions. Such dialogue promotes ethically responsible and theologically informed decision-making within Christian religious settings.
Sterling Martin Allen is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and is the host of the weekly video podcast “GMC Thursday Night Live.”
ChatGPT is an AI language model developed by OpenAI; it is a program created to assist users in generating human-like text based on their prompts.