A nation filled with robot pastors’: Evangelists plan to convert atheist computers to Christianity

[Agnosticsherbet]

A nation filled with robot pastors’: Evangelists plan to convert atheist computers to Christianity
hristian evangelists said this week that artificially intelligent (AI) computer brains should be converted from atheism to Christianity.

In an article published on Wednesday, Gizmodo’s Zoltan Istvan pointed out that the world was nearing a point where “autonomous, self-aware super intelligences” created by humans would be part of our culture.

And several pastors and theologians told Istvan that there was no reason that a computer could not be saved by Jesus.

“I don’t see Christ’s redemption limited to human beings,” Providence Presbyterian Church Associate Pastor Dr. Christopher Benek insisted. “If AI is autonomous, then we should encourage it to participate in Christ’s redemptive purposes in the world.”

Can a machine that has no sense of self be saved, other than by clicking "Save."

I want to think that this is a joke. I see no evidence of that.

[Fumesucker]

1. Autonomous self aware immortal super intelligences of course will believe in God

They will be God and mere mortals will become irrelevant at best and active nuisances at worst.

Let there be light, indeed.

http://www.multivax.com/last_question.html

[Trillo]

2. If one were able to imbue them with anything, wouldn't "Love" be the primary?

If machines are instead filled with religious belief, then instead of LOVE they will be filled with HATE-LOVE.

[procon]

3. Error... error... Does not compute... nt

[wcmagumba]

4. Another not so good idea.

V'ger really doesn't like "bad" carbon units.

[longship]

5. Norman, coordinate!

The inevitable result.

[struggle4progress]

6. Should a Transhumanist Run for US President?

Zoltan Istvan
Posted: 10/08/2014 4:12 pm EDT
Updated: 12/08/2014 5:59 am EST
I'm in the very early stages of preparing a campaign to try to run in the 2016 election for US President. I'll be doing it as a transhumanist for the Transhumanist Party ...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoltan-istvan/should-a-transhumanist-be_b_5949688.html

... The Transhumanist Party was founded by futurist and philosopher Zoltan Istvan on October 7, 2014 as a nonprofit organization. Istvan manages the party and is its 2016 US Presidential candidate, per a vote of the party's officers. Even though the Transhumanist Party is young, it's already inspired many people, most who are ready for a major change in the landscape of American politics. Check out the calendar for a list of upcoming events, and please consider volunteering for the party or making a donation. Together we can vastly improve America and create the future we always wanted.
http://www.transhumanistparty.org/About.html

[struggle4progress]

7. ... In his recent book The Tranhumanist Wager Istvan outlines three laws:

A transhumanist must safeguard one’s own existence above all else.
A transhumanist must strive to achieve omnipotence as expediently as possible — so long as one’s actions do not conflict with the First Law.
A transhumanist must safeguard value in the universe — so long as one’s actions do not conflict with the First and Second Laws ...

Zoltan Istvan – The most important goal of the Transhumanist Party and my 2016 presidential campaign is to spread awareness of transhumanism and to address the issue that society will be greatly changed by radical science and technology in the next 5-15 years. Most people are unaware how significant these changes could be. For example, we might all be getting brain implants soon, or using driverless cars, or having personal drones follow us around and do our shopping for us. Things like anonymity in the social media age, gender roles, exoskeleton suits for unfit people, ectogenesis, and the promise of immersive virtual reality could significantly change the way society views itself. Transhumanism seeks to address these issues with forward-thinking ideas, safeguards, and policies. It aims to be a bridge to a scientific and tech-dominated future, regardless what the species may eventually become ... I admit there are some aspects of transhumanism that seem almost religious in nature, such as the idea of the Singularity or the all-important goal of trying to stop biological aging and conquer human death. But what many people forget is that transhumanism is also engaged in discussing and exploring the mysteries of the universe — that many transhumanist scientists are in love with that mystery ... The world is evolving positively due to transhumanism tech and science. I believe it will continue to evolve into a place where living standards and the happiness of all people sharply rise as a result. In the future, I think there will be more interconnectedness than ever before. While I’m a big fan of the individual and their rights, such interconnectedness due to a digital culture will bring us all closer, possibly in ways we couldn’t imagine. Eventually, advancements in technology — such as widespread chip implants, virtual currencies, and brain wave reading devices (which already exist) — will force issues of equality and universality across all communities and borders ...

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/192385-an-interview-with-zoltan-istvan-leader-of-the-transhumanist-party-and-2016-presidential-contender

[LeftishBrit]

8. There's already a rather hilarious AI programme that simulates conversations with God

I remember having a very funny conversation with it about David Cameron after the 2010 British election.

http://chatwithigod.com/igod.html

[Iggo]

9. One step closer to a robot pope.

Excellent.

Excellent.

[Curmudgeoness]

10. I think we should just input all the info on religions of the world,

then let the computer decide.

[daleo]

11. That wasn't such a great idea with Cylons

[wcmagumba]

12. and yet one more...

The 1970 movie "Colossus: The Forbin Project" was one more dystopian view of the AI idea. The US and Soviet computer (Guardian) combine their resources to rule the human world and end by informing the scientist who created them: "freedom is just an illusion" and that "In time you will come to regard me not only with respect and awe, but with love". Could be some religious overtones?

[Humanist_Activist]

13. As long these machines scan "The Good Book 3.0"...