A month ago, a post appeared on the r/trans subreddit, a subreddit for self-identified transgender people, that has created some headlines in the news. The post was titled ‘I was feeling sad today, so I asked chatGPT to write a fake biblical passage about Jesus accepting trans people’. The poster then goes on to tell us how chatGPT responded with a passage about a woman whose heart was divided between spirit and body, and Jesus’ response emphasizing unity and love.
Now, this article is not about the psychology of transgender individuals or the theological implications of the post. Instead, it focuses on the potential dangers of AI, specifically chatGPT, in rewriting the text of the Bible.
This is not the first time we have seen AI being used to rewrite religious texts. In May, Peta put out a press release admitting to using chatGPT to do a vegan rewrite of the Book of Genesis. They revised chapters to promote animal rights and vegan teachings.
While I agree with the ethical treatment of animals, these rewrites raise serious concerns. They can lead to the proliferation of fake Bible verses that support ideas not truly supported by the Bible. This misinformation can mislead people who are not familiar with the actual content of the Bible.
Moreover, the digital world allows for easy manipulation of digital products, including the Bible. It is crucial to be discerning about the sources of digital Bible products and to prioritize physical copies published by reputable publishers.
AI can be a powerful tool, but it also poses challenges in maintaining an honest and pure biblical text. How do you feel about AI being used in this way? What challenges do you think AI and digital manipulation might pose to the integrity of the Bible in the future?
Please share your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for reading and considering this important topic.
