Transhumanism

[TLK Valentine]

You are forgetting one thing. If we consider ourselves Christians we accept that we as humans are sinners. There was only one sinless person (and one is enough) that was human as well as divine - Jesus Christ. Only he was impecable.

Spiritually, yes -- physically, he was just as frail and vulnerable as the rest of us. That's what it means to be fully human as well as fully divine.

I would say that any belief which is not grounded in faith, should not be regarded as plausable by Christians. Because if we are scientists only, then we are not wholly Christians.

Obviously technology and bionics can only lead to physical improvements -- spiritually and morally, we'd be the same as we ever were. This is true of any new invention or technology.

And, btw. there is no such thing as perfect, or is there?

And I agree there is no such thing as perfect... which means there's always room for improvement. So why not try?

 

[AV1611VET]

And I agree there is no such thing as perfect... which means there's always room for improvement. So why not try?

Is that your final solution?

 

[TLK Valentine]

We already use technology to keep people alive and to improve the quality of their life.

Especially when it is used to (at least partially) give back what has been lost... or taken.

I see nothing wrong with this or the likely improved gadgets that will be developed.

Nor do I.

These are not making people transhuman, at least not untill we start approaching the 6 million dollar man scenario.

"Better....stronger...faster."

IMO, it's not transhumanism to repair a human... only when you start making improvements.

Case in point: Up until about 12 years ago, I wore glasses. Then I got laser eye surgery as a Christmas present for myself. The doctors were able to adjust my eyes to 20/20 vision, and I've gone without glasses ever since. (truth be told, I'll probably need reading glasses in a few years, but that's just the price of getting old.)

Transhuman? Hardly. Just using science to fix something broken. If I had asked for X-ray vision or some cool Heads-Up Display like a video game...

...that would be transhuman... it would also be freakin' awesome!

 

[TLK Valentine]

Is that your final solution?

A "final" anything implies that the process has an end point. What part of "always room for improvement" wasn't clear?

 

[TLK Valentine]

A little humor (transhumor?)

FoxTrot Classics by Bill Amend for Jan 23, 2013 | GoComics.com

 

[AV1611VET]

A "final" anything implies that the process has an end point. What part of "always room for improvement" wasn't clear?

∞ ?

 

[TLK Valentine]

∞ ?

All of it then, I see.

 

[AV1611VET]

All of it then, I see.

I'm asking you if you believe in infinity.

 

[TLK Valentine]

I'm asking you if you believe in infinity.

I do believe in the concept.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I'm cautiously optimistic. I hope things will be okay in the future and we should aim for it to be so, but at the same time we should be very cautious. We should control the technology, not let it control us.

'We' already does control the technology...and that's the problem.

 

[AV1611VET]

I do believe in the concept.

Interesting concept.

I've heard about it before.

My dad pointed it out to me in a Book ... and he quit school in the 8th grade!

 

[Radrook]

Chances are technology will soon claim that God does not exist, so we should not rely too much on it, I'd say.

They are already claiming that God doesn't exist.

 

[Radrook]

"If a Christian is made more efficient in preaching the gospel via technology, isn't he an improved Christian?"

Christianity is far more than having a bluetooth implant and being able to broadcast a surmon ovet the net.

I never made that claim!

 

[lesliedellow]

Like achieving immortality by downloading yourself to a hard drive, I think it is hogwash.

 

[JD16]

 

[Radrook]

Implanted Bluetooth biochip gets under hacker's skin
It isn't a sin to use technology to improve effectiveness in the ministry.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Interesting concept.

I've heard about it before.

My dad pointed it out to me in a Book ... and he quit school in the 8th grade!

When did you quit?

 

[TLK Valentine]

They are already claiming that God doesn't exist.

Technology claims that?

 

[TLK Valentine]

"If a Christian is made more efficient in preaching the gospel via technology, isn't he an improved Christian?"

Christianity is far more than having a bluetooth implant and being able to broadcast a surmon ovet the net.

Too bad -- If you're interested in spreading the Gospel, it's useful for reaching a lot of people at once.

 

[Micah Redding]

Transhumanism is defined as "the belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology".

What are your guys' thoughts on this? Personally I think that if done right and so it's widespread for everyone (without just a few people having control over it and the like), I feel like improving ourselves with technology and such would be great. I'd want a bionic eye anyway providing no damage would be done to my other one. XD

I know that some say "it's man trying to become God", but I wouldn't say we'd become like God unless we could create things in the blink of an eye or the like, which we can't do because physics. Improving ourselves through our endeavors shouldn't be a problem if it's done so it's available to everyone and people can't abuse it.

Hi Crystal,

I'm a member of the Christian Transhumanist Association, so obviously, I think they go together great.

Science and technology are expressions of what it means to be made in the image of God, and God calls us to use them for his purposes—like in Noah's Ark, or the historic Christian efforts to advance medical care.

Happy to talk more.

Christian Transhumanist Association