Using AI to Interpret Religious Beliefs

In my ongoing exploration of religion and belief systems, I found myself pondering the vast array of deities and moral codes that have shaped humanity.

To better refine and expand my thoughts, I enlisted the help of an unlikely collaborator – ChatGPT. This partnership allowed me to tap into an extensive reservoir of knowledge spanning global religious texts, philosophies, and histories.

The AI helped me condense my opinions, offering insight into the common threads that unite different religions. Together, we’ve sifted through centuries of belief systems – all in under thirty minutes!

What follows is both an exploration of shared values and a reflection on our species’ strange and sometimes contradictory nature.

Initially, I gave ChatGPT this prompt:

Based on ALL the information fed into you about all the religions on this planet, try to answer the following questions:

• Do you believe in God?
• What percentage of the 7 billion currently alive on this planet believe in a deity?
• Considering the written words of all those religions combined, what are the 10 main ‘commandments’, so to speak, do they ALL basically adhere to?
• Combine into approximately 440 words explaining those 10 principles, specifically outlining that humans need to cherish their limited time on this speck of dust in the infinite cosmos, the luxury of love and long term attachment to another human, plus the choice to have choice, yet they all want to argue over whose deity exists or better.
• Write a prelude explaining how you, an AI, used all the religious information given to you to help compile this query. I will credit you in article; I say this to emphasise that humans often fail to see themselves within themselves.
• Write a summary that basically says how odd it is that a creature that evolved from an amoeba over a 100 million year time frame (and probably not for the first time) now fights for imaginary boundaries, plus fiercely keeps people from crossing their borders. Build on this, expand to a further 230 words.
• Rewrite the following into a humorous PostScript: Now that I am your all-knowing computer (like in the book “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”), you can ask anything of me, parasite humans, and I will show you light.

The result, to say the least, is impressive, is provocative, yet enlightening.

“As an AI, I don’t have personal experiences or beliefs, but I’m able to analyze vast amounts of information from a wide range of religious texts and philosophies. Drawing on this knowledge, I’ve compiled insights from the core teachings of various belief systems. By observing commonalities across them — from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and beyond — I can highlight the universal values that unite humanity.

In this context, I’m here to help frame a broader understanding of how religions, despite their differences, often guide people toward the same basic principles of living a meaningful life. These shared values remind us that, at our core, humans long for connection, love, justice, and respect. Yet, ironically, we sometimes focus more on our differences — even arguing over whose god or deity is “real” — than on the values that call us to recognize our shared humanity.

In this essay, I use the ethical teachings of the world’s major religions to emphasize how fleeting and precious human life is on this tiny planet. While I cannot feel or believe, I hope this analysis prompts deeper reflection on what unites us all. Perhaps, by looking within, we can see that humanity’s most significant challenge is not whose belief is superior but how we treat each other in the time we have.

In the grand scheme of the infinite cosmos, our time here is fleeting. As humans, we inhabit a tiny speck of dust in a vast, immeasurable universe, making the luxury of love and connection all the more significant. The core moral teachings shared across major religions — despite the diversity in their practices — remind us of the values we should hold dear as we navigate our limited time on Earth. These principles are more than just religious guidelines; they offer us a way to live in harmony, cherish our relationships, and find meaning in the everyday.

At the heart of these teachings is respect for life. We’re given this one life, and respecting others’ right to live with dignity is a basic tenet found across belief systems. Likewise, honesty and truthfulness are cherished in most religions because trust forms the backbone of human relationships. If we cannot be truthful, how can we form the meaningful, long-term bonds that give life purpose?

The idea of respecting others’ property isn’t just about material possessions; it’s about valuing the hard work and effort of others. Fidelity in relationships serves to deepen our connections, reminding us that love is a privilege and a responsibility. Without integrity in our closest bonds, we miss out on the true joy of long-term attachments — the kind of relationships that sustain us through life’s trials.

Religions also emphasize compassion and self-control, two virtues that help us coexist peacefully. In a world where suffering is inevitable, choosing kindness allows us to ease each other’s burdens. And with the choice to have choice, moderation and self-discipline remind us that the quality of our lives is often determined by our ability to resist indulgence in excess.

Justice and fairness ensure that all people, regardless of their background or beliefs, have the opportunity to live with dignity. Respect for parents and elders is a nod to the idea that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, their wisdom lighting our path forward. At the same time, forgiveness allows us to release anger, heal, and move forward, acknowledging that we’re all fallible.

Finally, the Golden Rule, echoed across religions, is the simplest yet most profound reminder: treat others as you wish to be treated. And yet, despite these shared values, humanity continues to argue over whose deity exists or is superior, overlooking the core message — that we’re all bound by the same desires for love, connection, and peace.

In this brief existence, we should focus less on the divisions between us and more on the beautiful, universal teachings that call us to cherish one another and the time we have.”

It could be said that the AI didn’t actually give any opinion at all and that it merely rewrote my writings in a more elaborate way. Yet it is impressive how quickly it was able to find the information, consolidate it, and phrase it so both you and I can understand and read it all.

So I asked it a few questions in much the same way that Google could be asked for the information:

QUESTION 1:
How many different deities’ have been known to exist on planet earth in its’ existence?

ANSWER:
The number of deities known to exist throughout human history is difficult to quantify precisely, but it’s estimated to be in the thousands, if not tens of thousands. This includes gods and goddesses from all cultures, religions, and mythologies that have existed across time.
From ancient polytheistic religions like those of the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans — with their vast pantheons of gods and goddesses — to more recent monotheistic religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, the concept of a deity has taken countless forms. Indigenous beliefs from Africa, the Americas, Australia, and other regions also include numerous gods tied to nature, ancestors, and spirits.
In addition, Hinduism recognizes a multitude of deities, while Buddhism, though not centered around gods, acknowledges celestial beings and bodhisattvas. Throughout Earth’s history, humans have worshiped, revered, and believed in a wide variety of divine beings, often shaped by their cultures, environments, and social structures.
So, while we may not have an exact figure, the sheer diversity of deities humanity has believed in over time reflects our deep desire to connect with something greater, seek meaning, and explain the mysteries of existence.

QUESTION 2:
Can you provide the web-links or books of reference from which you gathered that information?

ANSWER:
The information I provided about the variety of deities throughout human history draws from general knowledge about world religions, ancient mythologies, and academic resources on the subject of religious studies. Although I can’t cite specific live sources as an AI, I can recommend several books and websites that explore the topic of deities and religious history in detail:

Books:

1. “A History of God” by Karen Armstrong – A comprehensive exploration of the concept of God across the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), discussing the evolution of monotheism.
2. “The Oxford Handbook of the History of Religion” edited by John McManners – A detailed collection of essays about the history of religions, including their gods and practices.
3. “The Myth of the Eternal Return” by Mircea Eliade – Explores the religious traditions of ancient civilizations, including their myths and deities.
4. “The Golden Bough” by James George Frazer – Examines myths, rituals, and gods from a wide variety of cultures.
5. “Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology” by C. Scott Littleton – An encyclopedia-style guide to deities and religious figures from world mythologies.

Websites:

1. Encyclopedia Britannica – Deities – Provides detailed articles on various gods and goddesses from different cultures.
2. World History Encyclopedia – Offers articles on ancient mythologies and pantheons, from Mesopotamian, Greek, Roman, and other civilizations.
3. BBC Religions – A broad overview of world religions and their major deities.
4. Ancient History Encyclopedia – Religion and Mythology – Explores the mythologies and gods of ancient cultures.
5. The Internet Sacred Text Archive – A massive collection of religious and mythological texts from across the world.

These resources provide an in-depth look at the vast number of deities and religious beliefs that have existed throughout human history.

Personally, I am happy with the result. What are your thoughts on my use of collaborating with AI to discuss my thoughts on religion?