The "Text with Jesus" app, the debate between faith and artificial intelligence
The "Texting with Jesus" app, created by Stephen Peter, has challenged the boundary between faith and artificial intelligence and has sparked widespread reactions in Christian communities.
As the use of artificial intelligence technology expands day by day in various areas of life, it is now time for religious concepts to be redefined in this technological wave. The “Text with Jesus” app, created by Stefan Peter, CEO of the software company “Katlove”, is a controversial example of this symbiosis between technology and faith; an application that allows users to have virtual conversations with figures such as Jesus, Moses, Mary and even Satan.
Peter, who doesn't consider himself very religious, confirmed to Fox News that he didn't consult with any Christian consultants when designing the platform. "It's incredible that so many people are eager to talk to biblical characters," he said, referring to the unexpected response.
The goal of the app, Peter says, was to provide a “safe and accessible way” to ask questions about faith that some believers might be hesitant to ask in church. In one conversation, for example, the virtual character “Jesus” quotes a Bible verse in response to a user’s concerns about his job.
But reactions to the innovation have been mixed. Some religious figures have warned about the nature of such an experience. Ken Welliver, a pastor who has reviewed the program, described the possibility of talking to the devil as "scary," saying: "To be honest, I don't want to talk to the devil and I try to stay away from him."
Joel Berry, editor of Babylon B, also warned in his criticism of these types of tools, saying: "Artificial intelligence is not the source of anything; it is only a mirror, a flawed simulation that can only reflect the corruption within ourselves. To achieve wisdom, the source must be transcendent and external to us. The only true source for achieving truth and wisdom is the Word of God."
Meanwhile, religious technology experts say the emergence of platforms like "Texting with Jesus" is a sign of humanity's quest to find common ground between faith and artificial intelligence; an effort that, while it can provide opportunities for faith education and reflection, also raises new questions about the authenticity of inspiration, religious authority, and the ethical limits of technology in the space of faith.
As the program's popularity grows, the central question remains: Can a conversation with a digital representation of Jesus be a spiritual experience, or is it merely a technological reflection of the human thirst for a sacred voice in a machine-driven world?
