Artificial intelligence has been making waves across industries, but its latest frontier is stirring up debate in a realm many thought immune to technological disruption: religion. From virtual Jesus chatbots to AI-powered sermons, the faithful are now grappling with what it means to seek spiritual guidance from machines rather than humans.
One of the most talked-about innovations is the app Text with Jesus. Developed by Catloaf Software, this app lets users pose questions to digital versions of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and nearly all twelve apostles. According to AFP, the app has already attracted thousands of paying subscribers and boasts a striking 4.7 out of 5 rating in the App Store—despite some critics labeling it blasphemous. The app’s founder, Stephane Peter, is upfront about its purpose: "This is a new way to address religious issues in an interactive way," he told AFP. He explained that Text with Jesus is built on ChatGPT’s latest version, GPT-5, which is not only better at following instructions but also excels at maintaining the persona of whichever biblical figure it’s emulating.
But the app’s transparency about its artificial nature goes only so far. While it clearly states it uses AI, when users directly ask virtual Moses or Jesus if they are bots, the digital avatars deny it. Peter notes that GPT-5 is especially adept at staying in character and "can deny more forcefully that it’s a bot." That commitment to the role is, for some, part of the problem; for others, it’s exactly what makes the app so compelling.
Other faiths have not been left behind in this digital transformation. Apps like Deen Buddy for Islam, Vedas AI for Hinduism, and AI Buddha are cropping up, each offering a unique take on scripture and spiritual advice. Most of these platforms market themselves as interfaces with religious texts, steering clear of presenting themselves as actual incarnations of holiness. Still, the boundary between education and emulation is becoming increasingly blurry.
The reception among religious communities has been, unsurprisingly, mixed. Some see AI as a tool for education and engagement, while others worry about the loss of human connection. Take the experience of Catholic Answers, an online ministry that launched an animated AI character named "Father Justin" in 2024. The intention was to provide accessible spiritual guidance, but the backlash was swift. "A lot of people were offended it was using a priest character," said Christopher Costello, the ministry’s director of information technology, as reported by AFP. Within days, the ministry stripped the avatar of its priestly title, rebranding him simply as Justin. Costello emphasized, "We don’t want to replace humans. We just want to help."
For some believers, AI offers convenience and immediacy that traditional religious structures sometimes lack. Nica, a 28-year-old Filipina who identifies as Anglican, uses ChatGPT almost daily to study scripture—despite her pastor’s objections. "I’d say it’s an added layer," Nica told AFP, adding, "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." She’s not alone; these apps have been downloaded millions of times, though few openly admit to relying on AI for spiritual matters.
Yet, many remain skeptical. As Emanuela, a woman leaving St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, put it, "People who want to believe in God maybe shouldn’t ask a chatbot. They should talk to people that believe, too." Her sentiment echoes a deeper concern: that the digital approach, however sophisticated, can’t replicate the human touch.
Rabbi Gilah Langner offered a similar critique, pointing to the importance of community and tradition in religious life. "The halakhah—the collective body of religious laws derived from the Torah—has many interpretations. Jews need other Jews, with their insights and perspective, to connect them to the tradition of their faith," she told AFP. While she conceded that AI could be "very nuanced," she insisted, "the emotional connection is missing." Langner warned that relying on AI for spiritual matters could leave people "isolated and not in an organic connection to a living tradition."
Despite these concerns, some clergy are cautiously optimistic about AI’s potential as an educational tool. Peter, the Text with Jesus developer, said he’s spoken to several clergy members who agree that AI could help educate people about their faith. The Vatican itself has shown an openness to the technology: in 2024, Pope Francis named Demis Hassabis, co-founder of Google DeepMind, to the Vatican’s scientific academy.
Clergy are also experimenting with AI in more direct ways. In November 2023, Pastor Jay Cooper of the Violet Crown City Church in Austin, Texas, let an AI assistant deliver an entire sermon. He warned his congregation in advance, but the response was divided. "Some people freaked out, said we are now an AI church," Cooper told AFP. Yet the novelty drew in some newcomers, particularly video-game enthusiasts who might not otherwise attend church. While Cooper hasn’t repeated the experiment, he reflected, "I’m glad we did it, but it missed the heart and spirit of what we usually do."
For all the debate, one thing is clear: artificial intelligence is not going away, and its role in religious life is only likely to expand. The question is not whether AI will change the way people practice their faith, but how—and at what cost. Will these digital tools become a bridge to deeper understanding, or will they erode the communal and emotional bonds that have long defined religious experience?
As AI continues to weave itself into the fabric of daily life, the faithful—and their leaders—will have to decide where to draw the line between innovation and tradition. For some, the answer may lie in finding a balance: using AI for education and convenience while preserving the irreplaceable heart and spirit that only human connection can provide.
Ultimately, the future of faith in the age of artificial intelligence remains an open question, one that will be shaped as much by believers’ hopes as by their fears.
