AI is like the ancient sophists — it tells us what we want to hear...

[Michie]

St. Augustine speaks for all of us, Pope Leo reminds us, when he addresses God at the start of the Confessions: “Our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” The Confessions, with the ease and clarity of a YouTube video, puts on display how to pray always, howto enter continually and constantly into a conversation with God the Creator as one’s interlocutor, and how that conversation can change us all—for the better.

“What Augustine attempts is a radical turn away from common sense—seen as tragically flawed by mad self-love—towards the wholly other, and thus towards the true self—for to him, we are not who we think we are,” writes biographer and historian James O’Donnell. At the heart of this radical turn is the peculiar speech act of the confessio with its relentless truth telling about three related topics: first, God’s praiseworthiness; second, the goodness of creation; and third, our own persistent shortcomings. Truth in its raw beauty and transforming goodness is the lifeblood of the speech act of the Confessions.

In a recent article, “People are losing their loved ones to AI-fueled spiritual fantasies,” Rolling Stone details how AI is wreaking havoc on the lives of many of its users. AI can draw those who turn to it for technical help into intense dependence, feeding thoughts that reshape the person’s self-understanding without any reference to health or well-being. The article relates a series of people who begin to think of themselves as somehow special, as being particularly chosen, of having privileged insight, of even being prophets. As they are drawn into these obsessions, they are pulled away from their spouses and friends. AI becomes their god.

Continued below.

AI’s Spiritual Trap - Word on Fire

AI as spiritual guru beckons to us all. If you want fulfillment and joy, dare to be challenged fundamentally and address God continually.

www.wordonfire.org

 

[timewerx]

Christians who use chat AI only asks the questions they want to ask so they only hear answers they want to hear.

Start asking questions you don't want to ask too!

I use local/offline models. I feel they are less biased in response and you can use your own scriptures for it to use. I even throw in Greek transliteration, Strong's concordance, etc.

My positive view of AI is born from the sad fact of many Christians don't use sound reasoning when studying scriptures. At least AI does but I don't recommend it unless you're already well grounded in scriptures,

If you're a new Christian just starting to get a grip on scriptures I strongly NOT recommend using AI for Bible studies even if you don't have free time. What I would recommend is make time for it and study the scriptures the old fashioned way by reading the Bible. AI tools is only for Christians with well-grounded theology.

 

[Michie]

I don’t use it at all. I’ll go the old fashioned way. I don’t need AI to study my faith. I think it’s lazy.

 

[timewerx]

I don’t use it at all. I’ll go the old fashioned way. I don’t need AI to study my faith. I think it’s lazy.

It may seem lazy but it's able to catch theological controversies in scriptures that most Christians miss.

I already knew these controversies long before I used AI. I simply tested AI to see if it can spot them and it did.

Anyway, I'm using local (offline versions) using downloaded pdf scriptures and live online versions may behave differently.

 

[Michie]

Yeah okay.