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Apocalypse NAO: College Studies the Theological Ramifications of Robotics

malachiorion writes "Have you heard the one about the Christian college in North Carolina that bought a humanoid robot, to figure out whether or not bots are going to charm us into damnation (dimming or cutting our spiritual connection to God)? The robot itself is pretty boring, but the reasoning behind its purchase—a religious twist on the standard robo-phobia—is fascinating. From the article: '“When the time comes for including or incorporating humanoid robots into society, the prospect of a knee-jerk kind of reaction from the religious community is fairly likely, unless there’s some dialogue that starts happening, and we start examining the issue more closely,” says Kevin Staley, an associate professor of theology at SES. Staley pushed for the purchase of the bot, and plans to use it for courses at the college, as well as in presentations around the country. The specific reaction Staley is worried about is a more extreme version of the standard, secular creep factor associated with many robots. “From a religious perspective, it could be more along the lines of seeing human beings as made in God’s image,” says Staley. “And now that we’re relating to a humanoid robot, possibly perceiving it as evil, because of its attempt to mimic something that ought not to be mimicked.”'"

2 of 176 comments (clear)

  1. Re:robotic slave worshippers by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1, Troll

    It's not a 'either way' thing. Your construction of God is extremely unlikely.

    Amazing! You can read minds? That must be the case, as I never actually mentioned what "my construction of God" was. I was merely pointing out that other people are welcome to hold opinions and beliefs you disagree with, and that to call them "bullshit" even though you have absolutely zero evidence to back your assertion (real scientific of you, BTW) is childish and an example of incorrect reasoning.

    That the universe is as we see it is far more likely.

    Yea, that must be why physicists always agree on everything, and never update their models, huh? Yup, the entire universe and the mechanics behind it exist only as we perceive and understand them today, and that will never change. Yup yup.

    Hanging onto wrong and worse, promoting it as the truth is evil.

    I agree, so if you would please stop speaking in absolutes as if you have evidence to back your position, when you actually have nothing but your own preconceived notions, that would be fantastic. Glad you've seen the light, so to speak.

    --
    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  2. Re:Because they have no free will nor do they suff by geekoid · · Score: 1, Troll

    IT's ok, most Christians have no clue about that part of the Bible either, nor do the know what antichrist means, and they think the the devil tempts men and walks among us even though the bible says otherwise.

    It's surprising how little believer know about their own theology. I suspect this is intention because of they actually read the entire bible, they would stop believing.
    So reciting the same set of verse over and over again and ignoring the rest keeps the cash flowing.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect