By Rev. Greg Little
LIKE MANY people, I have been pondering the possibilities of AI and how it might affect our lives in the days ahead. The thought came that it would be very interesting to explore a new religion today in Canada, what would it be like if someone was to set out to create one.
I decided that I would pose that question to my new friend ChatGPT, the AI phenomenon that has taken the world by storm recently.
I asked ChatGPT a series of questions about such a new religion proposed by ChatGPT. The following is a summary of the essence of the proposed new religion and see how it matches the analysis of American theologian Harvey Cox in his book, The Future of Faith.
A more detailed look at the characteristics of this new religion can be found on my blog, Another Fool For Christ which can be found at https://anotherfoolforchrist.blogspot.com/.
The following is an excerpt of the summary of the new religion proposed by ChatGPT:
In summary, a hypothetical new religion in Canada would likely embody characteristics such as inclusivity, environmental consciousness, social justice advocacy, interfaith dialogue, personal growth, and adaptability. By reflecting the values and aspirations of Canadian society, such a religion could serve as a source of inspiration, guidance, and community for its adherents, contributing to the rich tapestry of religious diversity in the country.
Overall, worship in this new religion would be a dynamic and inclusive experience, blending ancient wisdom with contemporary sensibilities, and offering individuals opportunities for spiritual growth, community connection, and service to the greater good.
In this new religion, the concepts of sin and forgiveness would be reframed within a framework of compassion, personal responsibility, and restorative justice, emphasizing the inherent dignity and potential for growth within every individual. Through practices of self-reflection, forgiveness, and reconciliation, adherents would strive to cultivate greater harmony within themselves, their relationships, and the world around them.
The divine being worshipped in this new religion would be characterized by love, compassion, wisdom, creativity, and a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all existence. Adherents would find solace, inspiration, and guidance in their relationship with the divine, fostering a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging in their lives.
In The Future of Faith, Harvey Cox identifies three ages of Christianity: the Age of Faith, the Age of Belief, and the Age of the Spirit. Summarizing briefly, the Age of Faith began with Jesus and his disciples and continued for a relatively short period including those who had direct or indirect experience of Jesus Christ. In this period, to be a Chirstian meant, “to live in his Spirit, embrace his hope, and follow him in the work he began.”
The Age of Belief began a few decades after the birth of Christianity when the church began to become organized and develop structures and the leadership, both formal and informal, took charge of those structures. In addition, as with most organizations, the purpose and procedures began to be formalized. The core of this stage lasted fifteen hundred years with many of the structures and dogmas still in place today.
The Age of the Spirit began to appear earlier than you might expect. According to Cox, the birth pangs can be traced to the twelfth century in the Chirstian era. Although some might identify the age of the Spirit beginning with Pentecost. However, this age is now taking quite a firm hold of Christianity often beyond the formal structure of the Church and into a society which is increasingly secularized at least in the western world.
Cox characterizes the Age of the Spirit first as a protest against the religious structures and forms in organized religion. Second, to attempt to recognize and celebrate “the awe and wonder before the intricacy of nature.” Finally, it acknowledges and celebrates the “the increasingly porous borders between different traditions, and like the early Christian movement, it looks more to the future than to the past.”
It is possible to see that Cox’s analysis of the current age is compatible with much of the new religion proposed by ChatGPT. It is less structured and more informal than the organized church today. Above all, it is inclusive and accepting of different ways of identifying the Divine and experiences of that source of life.
I will leave it there for now and invite you to consider these propositions in light of your experience and perhaps desire to find different ways to make connections with that source on your journey.
I will close with a prayer of confession proposed by ChatGPT for this new religion:
Divine Presence, source of mercy and compassion, we come before you with contrite hearts, acknowledging our imperfections and shortcomings. For the times we have strayed from the path of love and integrity, and have caused harm to ourselves, others, or the Earth, we humbly seek your forgiveness.
Grant us the courage to confront our failings with honesty and humility, and the wisdom to learn and grow from our mistakes. With hearts open to transformation, we ask for your grace to cleanse and renew us, restoring us to wholeness and guiding us towards reconciliation and redemption.
Amen.
Rev. Greg Little is Honorary Assistant at St. John the Evangelist, Strathroy.