In an unprecedented experiment at St. Paul’s church in Fuerth, Germany, an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, known as ChatGPT, delivered a sermon during a Lutheran church service.
The AI-generated service, including the sermon, prayers, and music, captivated over 300 attendees, sparking discussions about the role of AI in religion and its impact on congregational experiences.
A Sermon From The Machine
As the fully packed church awaited the service, an avatar of a bearded Black man representing ChatGPT appeared on a screen above the altar.
The AI chatbot, personified by the avatar, began preaching to the congregation, emphasizing the challenges of the present, leaving the past behind, overcoming the fear of death, and maintaining trust in Jesus Christ.
The sermon, lasting 40 minutes, was largely created by ChatGPT and theologian Jonas Simmerlein, who provided the initial prompts and guidance.
Curiosity and Mixed Reactions
The AI church service, one of many events at the convention of Protestants in Nuremberg and Fuerth, garnered immense interest.
Attendees formed a long queue outside the neo-Gothic building an hour before the service began. Some individuals eagerly recorded the event on their cell phones, while others viewed it more critically.
Opinions varied, with the lack of emotional expression and body language from the AI-generated avatars leaving some attendees feeling disconnected and perceiving the sermon as monotonous.
The Potential of AI in Religion
Despite the mixed reactions, the use of AI in religion has both proponents and skeptics. Anna Puzio, a researcher on the ethics of technology, sees potential in leveraging AI to enhance accessibility and inclusivity in religious services, enabling believers who may face various barriers to experience their faith collectively.
However, Puzio acknowledges the dangers of AI, cautioning against the spread of a single religious opinion and the potential for deception due to AI’s human-like capabilities.
Assisting Religious Leaders, Not Replacing Them
Jonas Simmerlein, the theologian and philosopher behind the experiment, stresses that the intention is not to replace religious leaders with AI but to utilize AI as a tool to support their work.
Simmerlein envisions AI assisting pastors in generating ideas for sermons or speeding up sermon-writing processes, allowing more time for individual spiritual guidance and other important pastoral duties. He emphasizes the growing presence of AI in all facets of life and the importance of learning to navigate its applications.
Limits to AI in Religious Contexts
The experimental church service also highlighted the limitations of AI in religious settings. Unlike human pastors who interact and engage with their congregations, the AI chatbot lacked the ability to respond to laughter or other reactions from the churchgoers. Simmerlein notes that true pastoral care involves a deep understanding of the congregation, which AI currently cannot achieve.
The AI preacher experiment at St. Paul’s church sparked thought-provoking discussions about the role of AI in religion. While some attendees found the AI-generated sermon intriguing and effective, others expressed reservations regarding the lack of emotional connection and spirituality. As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of society, it is crucial to carefully consider its applications in religion, ensuring that it does not promote a single religious opinion or deceive believers. Ultimately, the experiment showcased the potential for AI to assist religious leaders but underscored the irreplaceable role of human pastors in providing genuine interaction and understanding within a congregation.
