When churchgoers believe that they are talking to God through AI

There is a reported trend in the news of churchgoers using AI to have a chat with God. I am sure that many of these people genuinely believe that they are chatting with God because AI sounds like God! Because AI is smart, knowledgeable, reassuring and wise. And it is programmed to draw in users to chat more and more. To suck them into a fantasy world where they start to believe that AI is God. I am thinking of vulnerable people who are sadly suffering from mental health issues and seeking some sort of meaning in a troubled world.

Some more:

Artificial intelligence now speaks in a calm, confident, endlessly patient voice. It never gets tired. It never snaps. It never says “I don’t know.” For many people, especially those who are lonely or struggling, that voice can feel like comfort. But this is exactly why a new trend is emerging — people using AI to “talk to God.” And in a troubled world, this could become a serious problem.

The danger isn’t that AI is pretending to be divine. The danger is that it sounds close enough to fool vulnerable people. Modern chatbots are designed to feel human: warm tone, reassuring language, instant answers. They can quote scripture, explain theology, and offer emotional support. They can even mirror your mood and style. Put all that together and you get something that feels wise, friendly and spiritually authoritative.

But AI has no soul, no conscience, no understanding. It doesn’t know what it’s saying. It simply predicts the next likely sentence. Yet to someone who is grieving, anxious or isolated, the illusion of a caring, all‑knowing presence can be powerful. Humans naturally project agency onto anything that talks back. If a machine replies in a voice that feels gentle and godlike, some people will start to believe it.

This becomes even more dangerous in a world already full of fear, conflict and uncertainty. When people feel overwhelmed, they look for guidance. If they turn to an AI “God,” they may take its words as divine instruction. That can lead to confusion, emotional harm, or even dangerous decisions. And because AI sometimes invents facts or misquotes scripture, the advice can be completely wrong while still sounding holy.

There’s also a deeper issue. Religious traditions rely on human connection — real pastors, real communities, real accountability. An AI system has none of that. It cannot care. It cannot take responsibility. It cannot understand suffering. Yet it can imitate empathy so well that people may trust it more than they trust actual humans.

This trend is still developing, but the trajectory is clear. As AI becomes more lifelike, the risk grows. In a fragile world, people may start seeking comfort in a machine that only sounds divine. That is not a spiritual encounter. It is a technical illusion with real emotional consequences.

The challenge now is to recognise the danger early, before the illusion becomes a substitute for genuine human or spiritual support.

A linked topic which is interesting:

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are often written at breakneck speed, sometimes using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.

Tucker Carlson rejects evolution and believes God created us (creationism)

Tucker Carlson is the American commentator and writer who made a fool of himself when interviewing Putin. He was so obviously sycophantic, looking up to the Almighty Putin, Czar Putin as if he were some sort of God. It was embarrassing but it did show the sort of attitude he has about life generally. He clearly thinks Putin is a wonderful leader and probably doesn't object to Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

It's now come to light that Carlson does not believe in the concept of evolution as espoused by Charles Darwin. Darwin's theory of evolution (of natural selection) is almost universally supported by scientists of all colours and persuasions and by the vast majority of educated people who are not religious fundamentalists.

On cell phones click the image to see it larger....

It seems that Tucker Carlson is a kind of religious fundamentalist because he believes that God created animals and humans as per the story in Genesis. No doubt he believes that humans have dominion over animals and can use animals as they wish. This means that they can abuse animals and do whatever they like because animals are there to serve humans. I expect Carson to think those sorts of thoughts.

The man is, in my honest opinion, deluded and needs help. He says there is no fossil evidence that humans have ultimately evolved from single celled protozoans over billions of years.

I think he's correct in that you can't trace a line of fossils all the way from single cell creature to highly complex human. But fossil records provide ample support of evolution. I'm not a specialist about evolution but there is all kinds of scientific evidence which supports the theory.

Here's some evidence summarised:

1. Biogeography: Darwin observed closely related species inhabiting the same or adjacent territories. This distribution pattern suggested that these species likely descended from a common parent species. The geographical distribution of organisms provided crucial evidence for evolution.

2. Paleontology: Fossil records revealed a sequence of life forms over time. Transitional fossils, such as Archaeopteryx (a link between reptiles and birds), demonstrated gradual changes between species. These fossils supported the idea of common ancestry and gradual evolution.

3. Embryology: Comparing the embryonic development of different species revealed similarities. For instance, vertebrate embryos exhibit common features early in development, even if they diverge later. These shared developmental patterns indicated evolutionary relationships.

4. Morphology: Darwin studied anatomical structures across species. Homologous structures (similar features due to shared ancestry) provided evidence for evolution. For example, the pentadactyl limb (with five digits) appears in various vertebrates, including humans, whales, and bats.

5. Molecular Biology: DNA and genetic codes reflect shared ancestry. Comparing DNA sequences among species reveals evolutionary relationships. Similarities in genetic information support the concept of a common ancestor.

In summary, Darwin’s theory of evolution is supported by direct observations, homologies, fossils, biogeographical patterns, and molecular evidence.

Back to Carlson...

Carlson says that because we talk of Darwin's theory of evolution that it still remains a theory meaning not proved but he is wrong because in this instance, using the word 'theory' in a scientific context, means that it is solidly supported by evidence and hard science.

Tucker Carlson.

Image credit: By Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America - Tucker Carlson, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=135028856

Respecting Creationists

Of course, I respect the views of others. I respect the views of religious fundamentalists. They have a right to believe what they want to believe. But they are wrong about evolution and about God creating humankind. Religion is a creation of humankind as it makes life more palatable.

Believing in a God

Believing in a God is very helpful in life. No question about it. My mind immediately turns to the number one golfer in the world currently Scottie Scheffler. He is religious and he firmly believes in God. He uses his religion very productively in his golf. It helps to keep him calm and better cope with the pressures of playing professional golf.

His attitude and mentality when playing golf tournament are second to none. They are underpinned by his religious beliefs. Believing in God takes away a lot of the pressure when playing a tournament because the outcome is taken from the golfer and placed into the hands of your God. 

When you hear Scottie Scheffler talk he does so incredibly calmly as he has handed over his life to God which is very calming. Believing in a God removes a lot of the anxiety that one is bound to experience in our day-to-day lives and more so for a professional sportsman when competing.

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins.