Prichep, Deena. “Encore: Religion and Ai, What Does It Mean When the Word of God Comes from a Chatbot?” NPR, NPR, 19 July 2025, www.npr.org/2025/07/19/nx-s1-5468637-e1/encore-religion-and-ai-what-does-it-mean-when-the-word-of-god-comes-from-a-chatbot.
This is transcript discusses the ways that clergy have used AI to help write sermons, and the human implications of such use. Like any job, those who serve in churches are met with busy schedules that sometimes makes it difficult to complete well-researched sermons. Some have considered AI to help create meaningful sermons while still being able to show up for their congregations in other ways. This is still controversial, in that AI misses the human element that is needed to make a sermon meaningful. It cannot understand the complicated and nuanced issues of the congregation. It also hallucinates or gives wrong information. Despite this, clergy have attempted to use AI, even if they did not present the final product. Ultimately, their goal is to reach their audience and it might be possible to use AI along the way.
I found this read to be very thought-provoking, as I haven’t considered AI being used by churches or religious institutions. I can see the benefit – as with anything, AI can help to lessen the load. I do think, however, this is a bit different since it deals with people’s faith and connection to higher powers. There is a certain transcendence that I do not think AI can capture, but it could be helpful in other ways such as with administrative tasks or editing.
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