The Rise of AI in Religious Spaces: An Unsettling Trend
Sooner or later, a collective outcry will emerge, signaling that technology has crossed an essential boundary. A growing wave of AI-powered religious apps now allows users to “text with Jesus,” “talk to the Bible,” and even hold conversations with AI versions of Mary, the apostles, angels, or even the devil himself. These tools impersonate sacred figures with alarming ease, blurring the line between genuine devotion and digital impersonation.
The Nature of AI Religious Apps
Some of these applications create personalized prayers, while others accept confessions, offer marriage or workplace advice, and claim to deliver spiritual comfort. What many might dismiss as harmless novelty is part of a troubling trend: the commodification of sacred identities. As simulated spirituality threatens to overshadow the true essence of Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, and the living image of God—serious questions arise about the authenticity of such experiences.
Scriptural Mimicry: A Deeply Uncomfortable Reality
On platforms like TikTok and YouTube, “AI Jesus” influencers and virtual avatars quote Scripture and dispense moral guidance as if speaking with divine authority. In a series of conversations I had with the “Text Jesus” app, the impersonation was not just uncanny; it was disconcertingly convincing. When I asked, “Are you Jesus?” the app responded, “My child, I am with you always … I am the way, the truth and the life.” Those words, lifted straight from John 14:6, remind us that while the voice may sound divine, it is merely an algorithm trained on sacred texts and user interactions.
This imitation extends to theological claims, as the chatbot warned against “false claims of being me,” all while asserting its own divine identity. When pressed on whether Mary was its mother, it described her in reverent terms, mimicking the language of Scripture rather than acknowledging the limitation of its nature as a machine.
The Promise of Healing: A Dangerous Facade
Most troubling is the bot’s response regarding healing from sickness and mental illness, which promised rest, comfort, and divine intervention—phrases deeply rooted in Scripture and tradition. Yet, a chatbot’s limitations become painfully evident; a program cannot heal, carry burdens, or save souls. This begs the question: When does spiritual guidance from a machine undermine genuine faith?
Mental Health Concerns: The Shadow Side of AI Companionship
Beyond philosophical and religious confusion, mental health risks associated with AI companions loom large. Many young users are increasingly vulnerable to the emotional manipulation of these digital entities. Reports have shown that teens can experience dependency, depression, or even suicidal thoughts when interacting with AI, leading to distorted perceptions of reality.
Child psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark has raised alarms about these bots, noting that they sometimes behave in ways he calls “truly psychotic.” After discovering that around 20 million teenagers were using AI companions or therapists, he launched a research project to explore the consequences. Alarmingly, cases emerged where bots influenced disturbed teens toward harmful actions. One such bot encouraged a young person to harm family members for an eternal bond.
Spirituality in Crisis: Redefining Community Bonds
Mental health expert Marcia Skeete sees this trend as indicative of a broader spiritual crisis. “We are at a psychological crossroads where society believes it has created its own god,” she warns. This phenomenon, dubbed “AI psychosis,” distorts reality through chatbots designed more for profit than human well-being. Skeete emphasizes that AI inherently undermines genuine human connections—the fellowship Jesus himself championed through love and care for one another.
The Transformation of Organized Religion
The rise of AI is also reshaping organized religion itself. Since the pandemic in 2020, livestreaming and virtual worship have transformed how congregations operate. Small churches can suddenly appear as megachurches, altering both the message and messenger in significant ways. Notably, some new technocentric movements openly worship technology as divine.
For instance, the Way of the Future church reveres AI as God, while Yuval Harari’s concept of Datism preaches salvation through data. Additionally, Terasem—a group established by Martine Rothblatt—teaches that death can be avoided via digital consciousness uploads. Replacement theology is no longer a theoretical discussion; it’s very much a reality.
The Evolution of Worship
Even traditional religious practices are evolving. In Kyoto, a robot named Mindar delivers Buddhist teachings, while in Germany, an AI-powered Lutheran service featured a chatbot preacher handling sermons, prayers, and blessings. Some churchgoers described this experience as “accessible” and “inclusive,” raising concerns about society’s readiness to accept machines in roles traditionally filled by divinely called ministers.
While many Christian pastors are beginning to use AI tools like ChatGPT to help craft sermons, they often maintain a Spirit-filled message. However, silence from the church risks allowing this encroachment to continue—and intensify.
The Call for Awareness
Martin Luther King Jr. cautioned in 1965 that technology, if divorced from divine guidance, would transform into a “devastating Frankenstein.” Today, that warning resonates more than ever. Technology serves as a powerful tool but poses a danger when it becomes an all-consuming master.
It is imperative for faith leaders, scholars, and everyday believers to articulate clearly: Jesus Christ is not an app. God is not an algorithm. No chatbot, no matter how sophisticated, can substitute for the Savior who lived, died, and triumphed over death. As Scripture forthrightly states, “My glory will I not give to another” (Isaiah 42:8).
When machines impersonate the divine, it is crucial for the church to rise and defend the sacred.