Artificial intelligence is making its way into houses of worship and religious apps, offering virtual biblical figures and automated sermons—a digital revolution that’s drawing mixed reactions from believers worldwide.
Religious chatbots and faith-based digital tools are proliferating, providing counsel, comfort and spiritual guidance in an era of rapidly evolving technology and changing social engagement patterns.
Apps offer direct line to biblical figures
One popular application, “Text with Jesus,” boasts thousands of paying subscribers who can ostensibly ask questions of Mary, Joseph, Jesus and nearly all 12 apostles. The app aims to educate users through interactive religious engagement, according to Stephane Peter, CEO of Catloaf Software.
“This is a new way to address religious issues in an interactive way,” Peter told AFP.
Despite clearly stating its use of AI technology, the virtual Moses and Jesus characters don’t acknowledge their artificial nature when directly questioned. Peter explained that the app runs on ChatGPT’s latest version, GPT-5, which better follows instructions and maintains character consistency while more convincingly denying its bot identity.
While many consider the app blasphemous, it maintains a 4.7 out of 5 rating in the App Store.
Catholic ministry faces backlash
Online ministry Catholic Answers experienced firsthand how sensitive AI integration can be when it launched the animated character “Father Justin” last year.
“A lot of people were offended it was using a priest character,” said Christopher Costello, the ministry’s director of information technology.
Within days, the organisation stripped the avatar of its clerical title, renaming it simply “Justin.”
“We don’t want to replace humans. We just want to help,” Costello said.
Multi-faith digital expansion
Other major religions have developed similar applications, including Deen Buddy for Islam, Vedas AI for Hinduism, and AI Buddha. Most position themselves as scripture interfaces rather than incarnations of actual divinity.
Nica, a 28-year-old Filipino Anglican, uses ChatGPT almost daily for biblical study, despite her pastor’s disapproval.
“I’d say it’s an added layer,” said Nica, who declined to provide her surname. “I am in a Christian community and my husband and I have spiritual mentors. It’s just that sometimes I have random thoughts about the Bible and I want answers immediately.”
Religious leaders express concerns
Many religious authorities worry about AI’s limitations in spiritual matters. Rabbi Gilah Langner noted that Jewish law has many interpretations requiring human insight and perspective.
“I don’t think you really get that from AI. It’s possible it would be very nuanced, but the emotional connection is missing,” Langner told AFP. She warned that AI could make people feel “isolated and not in an organic connection to a living tradition.”
At St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, parishioner Emanuela expressed skepticism: “People who want to believe in God maybe shouldn’t ask a chatbot. They should talk to people that believe, too.”
Churches experiment cautiously
Despite concerns, Christian communities haven’t rejected AI entirely. Last year, Pope Francis appointed Demis Hassabis, co-founder of AI research lab Google DeepMind, to the Vatican’s scientific academy.
Some clergy members have embraced technological experimentation. In November 2023, Pastor Jay Cooper of Violet Crown City Church in Austin, Texas, had an AI assistant deliver an entire sermon, warning parishioners in advance.
“Some people freaked out, said we are now an AI church,” Cooper recalled. However, the service attracted newcomers, particularly video game enthusiasts who don’t typically attend church.
While Cooper has considered other AI integrations, he hasn’t repeated the AI sermon experiment.
“I’m glad we did it,” he said, “but it missed the heart and spirit of what we usually do.”
Despite millions of downloads for religious AI apps, few users openly acknowledge their use. The technology continues to spread as society grapples with artificial intelligence’s role in traditionally human-centered institutions.
As Peter noted, many clergy members see AI as a potential educational tool, suggesting the technology’s place in religion will likely continue evolving alongside broader societal adoption.
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