4 AI Answers That Are Very Catholic
Can artificial intelligence also recognize evidence of truth in faith?
If you have ever tried chatting with an AI like ChatGPT, you would have experienced the same curiosity that many people felt in trying to know how an AI would respond. This is especially so about our deepest questions regarding life and faith.
I tried to ask YouChat, an AI-powered assistant about some questions related to my Catholic faith and I was both surprised and pleased with the response.
Here are my questions with corresponding answers from YouChat:
1. Is Jesus a true historical figure?
YouChat Answer:
Yes, Jesus is a true historical figure. There is a wealth of evidence to support this claim, including a variety of historical and archaeological documents and artifacts, as well as numerous accounts from the time period in which Jesus is said to have lived. Additionally, the fact that thousands of Christians in the first century AD were willing to risk their lives for their beliefs in Jesus is a strong indication that he was a real person
Why it’s a Catholic answer:
Catholics believe that Jesus Christ is a true historical figure. We believe that He is God who came down from heaven and became man, a real person who lived among us.
It’s good to hear even from an AI that there is evidence that supports this, including various historical and archeological documents. The AI also mentioned how the lives of the apostles and other Christians can serve as a reliable testimony to the fact that Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead.
2. Are the Gospels authentic historical documents?
YouChat Answer:
Yes, the Gospels are generally considered to be authentic historical documents. Scholars have studied them for centuries and concluded that they are reliable sources of historical information about Jesus and the early days of the Christian Church. The Gospels are also backed up by other historical sources, such as the writings of 1st-century Roman historian Tacitus and the Jewish historian Josephus. Additionally, archaeological findings, such as coins and inscriptions, have been used to corroborate the accounts given in the Gospels.
Why it’s a Catholic answer:
It’s good to hear that the Gospels were true historical documents. They are not works of fiction but true accounts with historical information that can even be authenticated by other historical records.
3. What is considered a miracle by the Catholic Church?
YouChat Answer:
According to the Catholic Church, a miracle is an extraordinary event that is caused by the power of God and is considered to be a sign of divine intervention. Miracles can include physical healings, spiritual healings, and other extraordinary occurrences which are not explained by natural causes or scientific knowledge. The Catholic Church requires evidence of miracles before it will consider declaring a person a saint. This evidence typically includes a history of the event and testimonies from witnesses. The Vatican will also examine medical evidence, if available, to determine if a miracle has occurred.
Why it’s a Catholic answer:
Catholics are not opposed to science. The Catholic Church recognizes that faith and science should both be in search of truth. Even in cases of miracles, there are evidences required to prove that a certain healing or event has taken place.
4. How do you explain the miracle of the sun in Fatima?
YouChat Answer:
The Miracle of the Sun is an event that occurred in Fatima, Portugal on October 13, 1917. According to witnesses, the sun appeared to move and change colors in the sky. It was seen by an estimated 70,000 people, who all reported that the sun seemed to spin and change colors. This event has been interpreted by some as a miracle, as it is seen as a supernatural occurrence and a sign of divine intervention. The Catholic Church has not officially declared it a miracle, but it is still considered to be a significant event in Catholic history.
Why it’s a Catholic answer:
The AI has clearly mentioned how the miracle of the sun in Fatima had been witnessed by an estimate of 70,000 people! It would be hard to disprove such a large number of witnesses. While there may be various speculations, there is no conclusive statement from science that a miracle has not occurred in Fatima.
Final words
YouChat (you.com) is an AI-powered chat and search assistant. It may not be perfect, just like other AIs at this point in time, but I would like to believe that it somehow uses logic and other analytical methods to give a response to human questions.
I have had this thought that it may be biased in terms of faith. But I was satisfied in the sense that it still processed my questions above in a logical way and tried to search for various supporting information for its answers.
I hope that science and faith can work that way. Not everything may be understood for now in the realm of science, but science and faith can work hand in hand in their search for truth.