Last week, I interrupted my
exploration of a new religion in Canada proposed by AI software ChatGPT.
I reflected on my experience of serving on a jury. Today I will return to
the new religion and try to sum up the essence of it and see how it matches the
analysis of American theologian Harvey Cox in his book, The Future of Faith.
The following is an excerpt of the
summary of the new religion proposed by ChatGPT:
In summary, a hypothetical new
religion in Canada would likely embody characteristics such as inclusivity,
environmental consciousness, social justice advocacy, interfaith dialogue,
personal growth, and adaptability. By reflecting the values and aspirations of
Canadian society, such a religion could serve as a source of inspiration,
guidance, and community for its adherents, contributing to the rich tapestry of
religious diversity in the country.
Overall, worship in this new religion
would be a dynamic and inclusive experience, blending ancient wisdom with
contemporary sensibilities, and offering individuals opportunities for
spiritual growth, community connection, and service to the greater good.
In this new religion, the concepts of
sin and forgiveness would be reframed within a framework of compassion,
personal responsibility, and restorative justice, emphasizing the inherent
dignity and potential for growth within every individual. Through practices of
self-reflection, forgiveness, and reconciliation, adherents would strive to
cultivate greater harmony within themselves, their relationships, and the world
around them.
The divine being worshipped in this
new religion would be characterized by love, compassion, wisdom, creativity,
and a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all existence. Adherents
would find solace, inspiration, and guidance in their relationship with the
divine, fostering a sense of purpose, meaning, and belonging in their lives.
In The Future of Faith, Harvey Cox identifies
three ages of Christianity: the Age of Faith, the Age of Belief, and the Age of
the Spirit. Summarizing briefly, the Age of Faith began with Jesus and
his disciples and continued for a relatively short period including those who
had direct or indirect experience of Jesus Christ. In this period, to be
a Chirstian meant, “to live in his Spirit, embrace his hope, and follow him in
the work he began.”
The Age of Belief began a few decades after the birth
of Christianity when the church began to become organized and develop
structures and the leadership, both formal and informal, took charge of those
structures. In addition, as with most organizations, the purpose and
procedures began to be formalized. The core of this stage lasted fifteen
hundred years with many of the structures and dogmas still in place
today.
The Age of the Spirit began to appear earlier than you
might expect. According to Cox, the birth pangs can be traced to the
twelfth century in the Chirstian era. Although some might identify the
age of the Spirit beginning with Pentecost. However, this age is now
taking quite a firm hold of Christianity often beyond the formal structure of
the Church and into a society which is increasingly secularized at least in the
western world.
Cox characterizes the Age of the Spirit first as a
protest against the religious structures and forms in organized religion.
Second, to attempt to recognize and celebrate “the awe and wonder before the
intricacy of nature.” Finally, it acknowledges and celebrates the “the
increasingly porous borders between different traditions, and like the early
Christian movement, it looks more to the future than to the past.”
It is possible to see that Cox’s analysis of the
current age is compatible with much of the new religion proposed by
ChatGPT. It is less structured and more informal than the organized
church today. Above all, it is inclusive and accepting of different ways
of identifying the Divine and experiences of that source of life. I will
leave it there for now and invite you to consider these propositions in light
of your experience and perhaps desire to find different ways to make
connections with that source on your journey.
I will close with a prayer of confession proposed by
ChatGPT for this new religion.
Divine Presence, source of mercy and compassion, we come before you with contrite hearts, acknowledging our imperfections and shortcomings. For the times we have strayed from the path of love and integrity, and have caused harm to ourselves, others, or the Earth, we humbly seek your forgiveness. Grant us the courage to confront our failings with honesty and humility, and the wisdom to learn and grow from our mistakes. With hearts open to transformation, we ask for your grace to cleanse and renew us, restoring us to wholeness and guiding us towards reconciliation and redemption. Amen.
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