Meet chatbot Jesus: Churches tap AI to save souls and time as pews get more empty

A new digital awakening is unfolding in churches, where pastors and prayer apps are turning to artificial intelligence to reach worshippers, personalize sermons, and power chatbots that resemble God. Why it matters: AI is helping some churches stay relevant in the face of shrinking staff, empty pews and growing online audiences. But the practice raises new questions about who, or what, is guiding the flock.New AI-powered apps allow you to "text with Jesus" or "talk to the Bible," giving the impression you are communicating with a deity or angel. Other apps can create personalized prayers, let you confess your sins or offer religious advice on life's decisions."What could go wrong?" Robert P. Jones, CEO of the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute, sarcastically asks. State of play: The U.S. could see an unprecedented 15,000 churches shut their doors this year as a record number of Americans (29%) now are identifying as religiously unaffiliated.Megachurches are consolidating the remaining faithful, but even the most charismatic pastors struggle to offer private counseling with such large congregations.Zoom in: In recent months, churches have been deploying chatbots to answer frequently asked questions, such as service times, event details, and giving information, and even share scripture.EpiscoBot, a chatbot developed by the TryTank Research Institute for the Episcopal Church, responds to spiritual or faith-related queries, drawing on church resources.Other AI apps analyze congregational data (attendance and engagement) to tailor outreach and communications.And more pastors are admitting that they use AI to assist in creating sermons or reduce writing time.What they're saying: "Every church or house of worship is a business. There are absolutely opportunities to generate AI bots to evangelize," Rev. Chris Hope, founder of the Boston-based Hope Group, tells Axios.Hope's consulting firm helps churches and minority-owned businesses use "ethical" AI."AI can help with greater scheduling, coordination of preaching engagements and missions work. We haven't tapped the surface with how we could integrate these technologies to advance the Word of God."Yes, but: The AI use getting the most attention (and scrutiny) are those that create the feeling that users are talking to a divine power or clergy.The Text With Jesus app allows users to "embark on a spiritual journey and engage in enlightening conversations with Jesus Christ," according to the app's website. The app also gives users the option to "talk" with other Biblical characters, including Mary, Joseph, Judas Iscariot, and even Satan.Catholic apps One Day Confess and Confession - Catholic help users with confession and spiritual reflection, providing AI-guided responses based on biblical texts.San Jose, Calif.-based megachurch pastor Ron Carpenter has even created an AI app promising "1-on-1 personalized interactions" with a bot version of him for $49 per month. Rev. Louis Attles, who guides La Mott A.M.E. Church, a small parish in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, tells Axios he also created a chatbot named "Faith" that helps him conduct research for his sermons."You can't outsource your morality," Attles said. "It cannot keep a covenant for you."Between the lines: It's unclear what translations of the Bible the apps are using, if they are texts from early church fathers or ideological materials from strictly conservative groups, Jones said.Mark Graves, research director at AI and Faith, a nonprofit focused on engaging religions with AI, tells Axios that the apps are in their early phases and are likely using publicly available material for their datasets. "I think the incentives are to get it out quickly and just see what happens. The risks are very high," Graves said.

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