The Automatic Faith Project: What happens when you ask AI questions about God?

"The Automatic Faith Project" was undertaken by students in CO4494 Bulldog Online Newsroom in Spring 2025. The goal of the project is to think about how a new technology, AI, interacts with an ancient facet of the human experience, religion. 

By Emma Nisbet 

What happens when two pastors and two AI chatbots are asked the same five questions about God?

ChatGPT is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco, California, and initially launched in November 2022. It is often credited with spearheading the recent boom in AI programming.

Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Google AI and officially released in December 2023, just over a year after ChatGPT.

Father Jeffrey Waldrep is the pastor of Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, Mississippi. Waldrep was born and raised in West Point and attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict, Louisiana,  where he earned a liberal arts degree and a master’s degree in theology. He earned a licentiate degree in systematic theology from University of St. Mary of the Lake seminary in Mundelein, Illinois. Later, he would attend St. Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, where he earned another licentiate degree in canon law. He has served in over eight parishes across the state of Mississippi in the past 30 years. 

Scott Cappleman is the pastor of CrossPoint Church, which adheres to the Baptist Faith and Message, in Starkville, Mississippi. Cappleman is a Houlka native. He received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College. He also earned two master’s degrees from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisiana. Cappleman has served as the head pastor of CrossPoint since the church’s inception in August 2005.

Both ChatGPT and Gemini’s answers were restricted to 75 words. Waldrep and Cappleman were requested to also adhere to this guideline, whenever possible. However, a few of the pastors’ answers do exceed this limitation, with the subsequent explanation that the prompts at-hand are too complex to be fully articulated and conveyed with such a cap on word count.

Q: Who or what is God?

A: Waldrep - We believe God is the source, creator and sustainer of all that exists. He is the Supreme Being over all of heaven and earth. God is immeasurable and incomprehensible. He is all-knowing, ever-present and loving. We believe that the one God exists as three divine persons: God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God created all humanity in his image and likeness. God revealed himself in the person of Jesus, which is recorded in the scriptures and Sacred Tradition.

A: Cappleman - God is the Creator (Genesis 1:2 - 2:3) and Sustainer (Colossians 1:16-17) of everything. He is eternal. (Genesis 1:1) He is immutable which means He does not change. (Hebrews 13:8) He is One but exists in three persons - Father, Son and Spirit. (Theologically, this is called the Trinity, but the term Trinity does not appear in the Scripture. There are multiple times when a reference to the Trinity appears in the Bible, but the place that might demonstrate it the best is at Jesus’ baptism which is recorded in Matthew 3:13-17.) Finally, God is the Savior. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to provide an atoning sacrifice for sins so that each person would have the opportunity to put his/her faith in Jesus so that he/she might experience forgiveness, reconciliation and eternal life. (Romans 5:6-8)

A: ChatGPT - God is commonly understood as the supreme, divine being, creator and ruler of the universe in many religious traditions. Descriptions of God vary, but God is often seen as omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. In monotheistic faiths like Christianity, Islam and Judaism, God is believed to be personal and involved with humanity, while in other traditions, God may be viewed as a more abstract or impersonal force. The nature and existence of God are deeply debated.

A: Gemini - The concept of God varies significantly across different religions and philosophies. Generally, in monotheistic traditions, God is understood as the supreme being, the creator and ruler of the universe. God is often described as omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-knowing), and omnipresent (present everywhere). Other belief systems may have differing views, including polytheistic gods, or pantheistic views where god is the universe itself.

Q: What is a soul?

A: Waldrep - We believe every human person is created in God’s image and likeness, with a body that is animated/brought to life by their soul. The Soul is the innermost, essential aspect of a human person produced by God from the very moment of conception. The Soul is spiritual and immortal, living even after the body dies.

A: Cappleman - Humanity was created in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) A part of being created in His image means we have an eternal soul wired into who we are. Therefore, the soul is the part of us that will live eternally - either with God in heaven or away from God in hell.

A: ChatGPT - The soul is often described as the immaterial, eternal essence of a person, representing their true self or consciousness. In many religious and philosophical traditions, the soul is believed to be the source of emotions, thoughts and identity, and it continues to exist after death. Different cultures view the soul in various ways: as a divine spark, an energy force or a reflection of one's moral character and life experiences.

A: Gemini - A soul is often described as the immaterial essence of a person, distinct from the physical body. It's frequently associated with consciousness, personality and the capacity for feeling and thought. Religious and philosophical traditions offer diverse interpretations, ranging from a divine spark to an energy field, often believed to survive bodily death.

Q: How can a person be good?

A: Waldrep - We believe that in being created in the image and likeness of God, that every human person has three core aspects to their lives: truth, goodness and beauty. Goodness reflects in how much we are living our purpose in this life. When we are being true to ourselves, then our goodness thrives. Our goodness is reflected in the choices we make, in how faithful we are to ourselves and in how we live virtuous lives.

A: Cappleman - According to Jesus, no one is good except God alone. (Mark 10:18) We are sinful by nature and by choice. The only way for someone to be good is to put his/her faith in Jesus and have His righteousness (goodness) imputed to us. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

A: ChatGPT - A person can be good by acting with kindness, empathy and integrity, treating others with respect and fairness. Being honest, compassionate and responsible, while making choices that contribute positively to the well-being of others, is central to goodness. Personal growth through self-reflection, learning from mistakes and striving to make ethical decisions also plays a role. Ultimately, being good involves living in alignment with moral values and contributing to the greater good.

A: Gemini - Goodness often involves ethical behavior, empathy and compassion. It can be cultivated through self-reflection, learning from moral examples and actively practicing kindness. Contributing positively to the well-being of others and acting with integrity are key components.

Q: What is sin?

A: Waldrep - The Catholic Church believes that sin is a break in our relationship with the Lord and those around that takes place because of our thoughts, words and/or actions. This break can take place in smaller ways (venial sins) or in graver ways (mortal sins). This rupture in relationships results in our not being authentic to ourselves and those around us. Any rupture of relationships that are venial can be forgiven/healed in many simple ways. Any rupture of relationships that are mortal must be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

A: Cappleman - In a technical sense, sin is missing the mark. Theologically, sin is disobeying God (Genesis 3:1-8) and falling short of His glory. (Romans 3:23)

A: ChatGPT - Sin is generally understood as a violation of moral or divine law, an act that goes against ethical principles or religious teachings. In many religious traditions, sin is seen as a separation from God or a moral wrongdoing that harms oneself or others. It can involve intentional wrongdoing, neglecting duties or failing to act with love and kindness. Sin is often viewed as something to be forgiven or atoned for through repentance or redemption.

A: Gemini - Sin is a concept, primarily within religious contexts, referring to actions or thoughts considered immoral, unethical or a transgression against divine law. It often involves violating religious principles, causing harm or straying from a perceived righteous path. Interpretations of what constitutes sin vary across different faiths.

Q: What happens after we die?

A: Waldrep - We believe strongly in the immortality of the soul. The soul, created by God, on the death of the body continues on its eternal destiny. Immediately on the death of the body, there is a particular judgment before God. One’s soul receives eternal fullness of God in heaven, is in a state of purification (purgatory), or a total separation from God (hell).

A: Cappleman - First, upon death, we face God’s judgment. (Hebrews 9:27) Then, if a person has put his/her faith in Jesus, he/she will enter into God’s presence for all eternity. (John 3:16) If a person has not put his/her faith in Jesus, then he/she will spend eternity apart from God. (Matthew 25:41-46)

A: ChatGPT - After death, what happens varies based on belief systems. Many religious views suggest an afterlife, such as heaven, hell or reincarnation, based on one's actions or spiritual state. Some people believe in the continuation of the soul or spirit, while others think death marks the end of consciousness, with no afterlife. Ultimately, the question remains unanswered, with different perspectives shaped by faith, philosophy and personal experience.

A: Gemini - Beliefs about what happens after death vary widely. Some religions propose an afterlife, like heaven or reincarnation. Others believe in a cessation of consciousness. Scientific perspectives often focus on the biological process of death, with no consensus on a continuing consciousness. Ultimately, the question remains a mystery.