In history, new technologies have often sparked fear and suspicion, especially when they challenge established systems of belief. One of the most fascinating—and somewhat ironic—examples of this fear can be traced back to the early Christians’ encounter with voodoo in Africa. When missionaries entered Africa, they were deeply unsettled by local spiritual practices, which they saw as “pagan” and potentially dangerous. Now, centuries later, we are facing a similar reaction to another new force in society: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many religious communities today view AI with the same kind of fear and caution that early Christians viewed voodoo. But this fear is not only misplaced; it’s also counterproductive, especially when AI could be a powerful tool for good within religious communities.
Let’s take a look at why AI is being viewed with suspicion, compare it to the historical fear of voodoo, and explore how AI can be used for good within religious communities—especially in churches, mosques, synagogues, and beyond.
1. The Early Christian Fear of Voodoo: A Tale of Misunderstanding and Distrust
When early Christian missionaries entered Africa, they were often horrified by what they saw as voodoo practices—rituals, spirit worship, and sacred traditions that didn’t align with their own religious beliefs. The Christian mission aimed to spread “true” religion, but they were confronted with a powerful and deeply ingrained spiritual system. The missionaries feared that these practices were not just incompatible with Christianity but also dangerous, even seen as demonic.
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Fear of the Unknown:
Much like AI today, voodoo represented something mysterious and unfamiliar. For Christians, it was a belief system they didn’t understand, and their reaction was often to condemn it rather than try to understand it. The idea of spirits, rituals, and divine forces beyond the traditional Christian view was something that posed a threat to their worldview. -
Dehumanizing Practices:
Many early Christians believed that voodoo practitioners were dabbling in the supernatural and dangerous practices. Similarly, AI today is often framed by some religious groups as a tool for the devil or as a force that removes human agency and morality.
2. AI and Religious Communities: The New "Voodoo" of Our Time
Fast forward to today, and AI is creating a similar kind of discomfort and fear in many religious communities. Large Christian churches, and other religious organizations, are now warning their members against using AI, equating it with sin or satanic influence. Church leaders and religious groups are concerned that AI—like the early fears of voodoo—will corrupt society, lead people astray, or even replace the divine with something man-made.
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“AI is the Devil”:
Some religious figures have expressed concerns that AI could represent a force for evil. They argue that the AI we use today—like chatbots (e.g., ChatGPT), social media platforms, and virtual assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa)—can be tools of deception, misinformation, and control. These critics see the rise of AI as a dangerous distraction, one that could mislead people or create false prophets. -
Fear of the Unknown:
Just like the missionaries’ reaction to voodoo, many religious leaders fear that AI, which operates on algorithms and data beyond their understanding, is something that could easily go wrong. They believe that it could replace human relationships, diminish spirituality, or lead to a loss of human identity. For many, AI seems like a powerful force that could either destroy or corrupt the essence of humanity.
3. The Contradiction: Why Religious Communities Use AI in Other Forms
While some religious communities speak out against AI and its potential dangers, there’s a glaring contradiction that can’t be ignored: religious members are already using technology like social media, Alexa, Siri, and other forms of AI-driven tools. They are interacting with AI every day, whether they know it or not. Whether it’s reading the Bible on their smartphone app, ordering groceries through Alexa, or following inspirational religious content on YouTube, many members of religious communities are already fully integrated into the digital world.
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Social Media:
Religious leaders and congregants frequently use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to share messages, prayers, and scriptures. While social media often runs on sophisticated algorithms and AI, it’s rarely questioned by these same communities. So why is there suddenly so much resistance to chatbots or other AI tools that might improve religious engagement? -
Virtual Assistants:
Tools like Alexa and Siri are used in homes of devout families to play worship music, set reminders for prayer times, or read Bible verses aloud. These AI-driven tools are integrated into everyday life without raising the alarm in the same way as AI chatbots or virtual religious advisors.
4. The Real Opportunity: Using AI for Good in Religious Communities
AI should not be feared; instead, it should be embraced as a tool that can be used for good within religious communities. Just as karakuri dolls were once feared as strange, mechanical oddities, AI can be seen as a tool that, when understood and used correctly, can empower faith-based communities and enhance spiritual practice.
Here’s how AI can benefit religious communities:
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Education and Outreach:
Chatbots like ChatGPT could be used in churches, mosques, synagogues, or other places of worship to answer basic questions, provide spiritual guidance, or offer educational resources about faith. Just like how the Bible and religious texts are often used for teaching, AI can be used to facilitate learning and understanding in a way that fits today’s tech-savvy world. -
Personalized Support:
Imagine an AI tool that helps individuals within a congregation better understand the messages of their faith or provides prayers, spiritual encouragement, and mental health support during difficult times. AI could help enhance pastoral care by providing personalized spiritual content based on an individual's specific needs or questions. -
Social Impact:
Religious communities can use AI to address social issues, such as poverty, education, and healthcare, by collaborating with AI-driven organizations that focus on charity, aid distribution, and community-building. Just like social media helped religious groups spread their message, AI can serve as a modern tool to build faith-based initiatives that reach the most vulnerable populations. -
Enhancing Community Connections:
AI-powered tools could be used for virtual worship services or faith-based online communities, helping congregants connect in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. These tools could even assist in organizing events, donations, or outreach programs efficiently, helping congregations be more organized and effective in their charitable activities.
5. Conclusion: Embrace AI, Don’t Fear It
Just as the karakuri doll was initially misunderstood but ultimately appreciated for its role in mechanical advancement, AI is here to stay—and it’s time for religious communities to embrace it rather than fear it. While the fear of AI as a force of evil is understandable, it is a misconception rooted in misunderstanding and resistance to change. AI can be a force for good, much like how technology has been used by churches and religious organizations for centuries.
Rather than isolating or demonizing AI, religious communities should find ways to harness its potential to serve their missions, engage their members, and reach people in new and innovative ways. By doing so, AI can be seen as an extension of the tools already used to spread faith and improve lives, much like the use of social media or other forms of technology.
Let’s rethink AI as something that can be used for good, guiding religious communities to new heights, just as social media and smart devices have done already. After all, embracing innovation has always been a part of religious history. Why stop now?