God speaks to his followers in many ways. But does that include chatbots? A recent study by the New York Times shows that millions are downloading apps to clear their conscience.
The NYT reported religious apps top Apple’s App Store. The research shows people are paying up to $70 a year for a subscription. But does telling your favorite chatbot your deepest secrets count as confession? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
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According to the Catholic Church, the sacrament of confession requires the physical presence of a priest. Even a phone call doesn’t count. And no, you can’t email your priest either.
Church doctrine says, “Every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him,” (CCC 1467).
When it comes to technology, e-mail, the internet and phones are never completely private.
Privacy is an issue Fr. Mike Schmitz struggles with, the NYT wrote.
“I wonder if there isn’t a larger danger in pouring your heart out to a chatbot,” he said. “Is it at some point going to become accessible to other people?”
That hasn’t stopped the church from offering apps to prepare for the sacrament. Apps like “Confession: A Roman Catholic App”, walks you through the confession while helping you examine your conscience.
Like the Catholic faith, religious leaders of other denominations tell the NYT they support people using chatbots as long as they complement and do not replace their community.
“There is a whole generation of people who have never been to a church or synagogue,” Rabbi Jonathan Romain told the New York Times. “Spiritual apps are their way into faith.”
Founders of the apps do reiterate the apps are meant to supplement in-person worship, not replace it.
“It shouldn’t be something where it replaces human connection. It does not have a soul from the church’s perspective,” said Alex Jones, the founder of the app Hallow.
Jones told the New York Times he hopes the app will inspire people to seek out religious communities.
