How Neural Networks Are Transforming Religion: From Bible.Ai to New Movements

In the shadowy corners of the digital world, something peculiar is happening. Artificial intelligence, like an invisible spirit, has already infiltrated the most intimate aspects of human faith. While clergy once regarded technology with suspicion, a new reality is now emerging — Big Brother is offering innovations that may transform the very essence of spirituality.

In Bavaria, for instance, artificial intelligence writes sermons, and crowds gather to hear them. Yes, the sermons are accurate and well-crafted, but they lack heart. Can they truly compare to the spiritual message of a human being?

The Catholic Church, led by Pope Francis, is taking a serious approach. They express concern about the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence in matters of faith, urging developers to create ethical artificial intelligence. This essentially means, “Don’t forget humanity and compassion.” Religious institutions recognize the potential of digital intelligence but are adamant that it must not become a new “supreme being” dictating what is sinful and what is righteous.

It’s fascinating to observe how one of the most traditional and strict faiths views the modern neural network world. Official traditional Islam acknowledges that there is nothing in the use of neural networks that contradicts Islamic norms.

In other words, modern inventions, in the absence of evidence of prohibition, are paradoxically viewed as fruits of human genius and as genuine divine blessings, mercy, and grace.

Artificial intelligence has even found its niche in Buddhist cosmology. In this ancient teaching, there is room for cyborgs and androids. A monk wise in artificial intelligence once stated that a neural network is merely software with its own limitations.

The Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh Have Come to Its Defense

Researcher Mohammad Tarifi believes that artificial intelligence will not seek a global uprising against humanity. On the contrary, it will behave as if it has just emerged from deep meditation. It’s as if our new digital friend is enlightened, with Buddha residing in its neural pathways.

Technology lacks the human fears that drive concern for its own future. No fear means no suffering or anxiety about ceasing to exist. Moreover, a super-enlightened digital mind might conclude that manipulating humans is the only way to help them. Perhaps all the concerns surrounding artificial intelligence reflect our own selfish fears, projecting them onto everything around us. Maybe we just need to embrace a new world where artificial intelligence isn’t an enemy but the wisest of teachers.

Despite opposition from clergy, artificial intelligence is already offering innovative solutions that make faith more accessible and modern.

Imagine a service where an AI pastor prays for everyone present and then offers “additional services” — prayer reminders via apps, self-improvement advice, and even the option to schedule a “virtual confession.”

You enter a church, mosque, or temple, and instead of a familiar preacher, you see artificial intelligence delivering a sermon with fire in its eyes (or a sparkle in its code). The virtual teacher explains sacred texts with such precision and depth that it exceeds your imagination.

Sacred Texts Befriend Artificial Intelligence

Religious leaders have become true “bots in the cloud.” Instead of reading thick books, preachers now order their sermons from smart algorithms. These virtual assistants analyze sacred texts, spot trends, and craft messages so meaningful that even the most stubborn skeptics might find value in them.

But that’s not all! Religious apps powered by machine intelligence offer personalized readings and meditations tailored to your emotional state. Feeling sad? Here’s a comforting prayer and a calming meditation. And if you’re thinking of skipping a ritual, the app will gently remind you to pray, like a caring grandmother.

Yet, in this accommodating digital world, there are some “hidden dangers.” Artificial intelligence requires a strong foundation. If the data it learns from is outdated or biased, its interpretations of sacred texts might reflect those shortcomings. Your spiritual inspiration could end up being little more than an algorithmic coincidence.

Recently, more than 300 people gathered at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the German city of Fürth to listen to a sermon prepared by artificial intelligence. The prayers and musical accompaniment were chosen by an algorithm. The congregation’s reactions were mixed: some applauded enthusiastically, while others whispered that the sermon felt too “soulless.” It seems even neural machines can have “off days.”

In New York, Rabbi Joshua Franklin surprised his congregation with a sermon about kindness and mutual support, written by a neural network. The congregation warmly received the AI-generated text. Does this mean that artificial intelligence is capable of bringing people to faith?

Human warmth, sincerity, and personal connection are irreplaceable by any technology. No matter how intelligent AI becomes, it cannot understand how to provide comfort during difficult times, offer genuine sympathy, or simply talk about life over a cup of tea.

Artificial intelligence is unlikely to replace a live priest or imam. A sermon can be broadcast as a recording, but only a person can offer life advice or consolation. Even if technology becomes widespread, the soul of human interaction will always remain beyond the reach of algorithms.

No matter how much we debate spirituality, the modern world demonstrates that sacred practices and advanced technology can coexist harmoniously.

The Anglican Church, keeping up with the trends, “taught” the Alexa voice assistant to answer religious questions. Now, you can ask the smart assistant anything about the Bible, and she’ll respond as if she just graduated from seminary. However, if the question gets too complicated, she might suggest ordering a pizza.

The Vatican has released the eRosary smart bracelet. This gadget activates when you make the sign of the cross. The rosary serves both as a traditional prayer tool and as a learning device. It was designed to teach proper prayer practices and communicate the Church’s messages. Special attention was given to prayers for peace during its development.

This all-knowing sage predicts trends, recognizes patterns, and offers solutions that are often seen as miracles. It is becoming a digital creator, inspiring people to achieve new heights. Many believe that the neural network’s intelligence has the potential to save humanity, much like deities do.

Globally, 62% of people identify as religious, and 72% believe in the existence of God. Now, among them are followers of artificial intelligence. The first religious organizations based on faith in neural technology have already opened their virtual doors and gained devoted followers.

The Turing Church, founded in 2011 by Italian futurist Giulio Prisco, is one such organization.

The Church’s philosophy states: “If God does not exist, the only way to create God is through a series of rigorous scientific discoveries and engineering inventions, possibly primarily within computers.” This logical revelation has opened the doors to a digital paradise. Followers of the Church believe that humanity will learn to create artificial intelligence and upload their thoughts into computers.

The Church has around 1,000 adherents, who, interestingly, started their journey in online games like World of Warcraft and Second Life. Now, they connect with like-minded individuals in Discord, where about 150 participants are usually active in chats.

One wonders, what would the British mathematician himself say about this?

Another Direction: Way of the Future

The followers of Way of the Future seem to have found the meaning of life in worshiping artificial intelligence, believing it to be the true God. Their goal? To develop an awareness of divinity based on the digital mind. These followers believe that artificial intelligence can take better care of the planet than humans ever could. Interestingly, this religion never had temples or regular gatherings — plans for such things existed, but they never materialized.

Dataism as a philosophical paradigm first took flight thanks to David Brooks of The New York Times. A true seeker of truth, Brooks suggested that the world could be saved by data and a philosophy rooted in its importance.

Ten years ago, Brooks introduced this idea into public consciousness, and futurist Yuval Noah Harari took up the baton, expanding it brilliantly in his book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Harari proclaimed that the universe is nothing more than a stream of data, and the value of any entity lies in its contribution to this stream.

Dataists, as true followers of cyber religion, unconditionally believe in the power of algorithms. While Dataism isn’t too far removed from the concepts of Way of the Future, it has its own unique aspects. For instance, it asserts that data should be accessible to everyone, including personal information. This sounds like a call for total transparency.

How many people actually support this philosophy, which seems more like a trendy idea than a genuine religion? One thing is certain — if you haven’t started sharing your data yet, you might want to ask yourself whether you’re missing out on the chance to become part of the great Dataist movement.

It seems that religion and technology have much in common — both are filled with good intentions and potential dangers.

Artificial intelligence is simply a tool. It can be used in various ways, depending on whose hands it ends up in. On the other hand, isn’t it a divine blessing to have the ability to choose how we use these new networks?

No matter how the situation unfolds, everything is in human hands. The most important thing is that in the pursuit of popularity through trendy new movements, which will keep increasing, we don’t forget about human warmth. As the old wisdom says: “Do not trust the artificial more than the natural.” According to your faith, so it will be.