Faith
God Works in Mysterious Ways — Including Through Chatbots
Biblical questions, spiritual guidance? There’s an app for that.
Y BY MARISA HERMAN
ou can ask alexa to add an item to your Amazon shopping cart, or Siri to call a colleague, and now,
a chatbot to share a daily Bible verse. Apple’s “There’s an app for that”
adage is proving to be true in a new arena — religion — with tens of millions of users turning to their digital devices for answers to biblical questions, spiri- tual guidance, and to become members of a virtual congregation. “Whether it’s a blessing or curse
depends on how you are using it, and what you are using it for,” said Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, about the rise in reli- gious apps, chatbots, and access to virtual spiritual leaders. Now, the apps are adding chatbots
to assist with on-demand guidance. A New York Times feature titled
“Finding God in the App Store” explores the types of theological questions users are asking virtual priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders who quickly pro- vide answers quoting the Bible.
60 NEWSMAX | NOVEMBER 2025 The website ChatwithGod provided
the newspaper with a series of conver- sations users have had on their plat- form. The outlet reported that the top- ics range from seeking comfort, heal- ing, confession, and even inspiration. Patrick Lashinsky, ChatwithGod’s
chief executive, revealed the most asked question: “Is this actually God I am talking to?” The site off ers recommended ques-
tions that range from sharing a reli- gious joke to providing an inspirational verse. It also asks users to select a religious affi liation from a menu of options
The site off ers recommended questions that range from sharing a religious joke to providing an inspirational verse.
including Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam, Mormon, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, agnostic, and spiritual. Other sections include various dis-
cussion topics with preloaded subjects such as Jesus, hell, heaven, fi nances, politics, career, and pets. It also has a section where you can select your mood — optimistic, indiff erent, con- fused, happy, or sad, among others. The chatbot off ers 12 messages for
free. There is an option to log in to receive 20 more chats. Unlimited messages cost $8 per
month under the “pro” package, which includes a daily verse via text, prayer requests, ability to send prayers, and other features. The “community” package runs
$499 a month and is targeted at faith leaders who are looking to share their message with a larger community. Pavone isn’t surprised to see arti-
fi cial intelligence rolling out in the religious technology sector. His group is actively incorporating it in every department to “enhance their work.” While Pavone encourages his team
to use the cutting-edge technology, he also warns them that it is “not a tool that is supposed to replace us. “We have more insight and more knowledge of the purpose we are trying to accomplish more than any computer program, no matter how ‘smart’ it is.” His team is preparing to launch a brand-new app called Pro Life Central. It will feature daily prayer devotionals, provide pro-life updates on legislation, and send out action alerts. Andrew Selepak, a social media
professor at the University of Florida, sees several factors fueling the boom in spiritual technology. Chief among them: the COVID-19 pandemic. When cities and states deemed reli-
gious services “nonessential,” Selepak said people turned to technology to attend worship services. “My parents watched Mass on You-
Tube,” he said. “Some people devel- oped this new familiarity and ease with technology taking the place of or sup- plementing their worship.”
HANDS/CHAYANUPHOL/SHUTTERSTOCK
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