Moral Dilema for the Twenty-First Century (Part One)

The Church has some big issues to discuss, issues which could shake the Kirk to its very foundations, and which ultimately could cause deep schisms.  The questions centre around whether we welcome them with open arms, or look upon them as an afront to creation and cast them out.  I am of course referring to one group...

Androids.

As I understand it, the Church of Scotland has no policies in place to deal with the rise of artificial humanoid (AH) worshippers within the community.

Work is currently underway to make machines that are aware of their surroundings and can be employed to be of benefit to mankind.  What would happen if  a future version of Asimo rose above his original programming?

In the film "Short Circuit 2" the star, the robot Johnny Five is chased out of a confessional.  Perhaps this is the first encounter between a robot and religion, and the encounter is not a happy one.  At a time when the newly self aware robot is trying to find a self identity, the robot is chased out of the church.  If the church cannot help create a sense of identity, then who can?  I fear that the robots of the future may seek out artificial stimulants in order to escape the drudgery of life.  I'd hate to see a wasted generation of robots getting tanked up on WD-40.

Johnny Five is clearly a robot in the traditional sense.  His design, while highly functional, remains consistent with his machine pedigree.  Newer designs of robot are being created which approach  the uncanny valley, and while looking realstic, they seem to cause an uncomfortable feeling in the observer. Something deep down in our being makes us find realism disturbing.

Which brings me on to the Cylons.  Cylons were created by man, as the soldiers and servants of humanity.  in time they become self aware, and like other systems that become self aware (see Skynet from the Terminator universe), the machines rise up against their creator.  Following the first Cylon war, where original Cylons rose up against their creators, they returned, having adopted a new, biological form.


So now the war is over, and there are Cylons living in the community.  One Sunday morning you look around and there's a lady with a distinctive red dress, accompanied by what looks like her twin sister.  And there's three versions of some other guy.  And they are all joining in with the worship, and have recited the Apostle's Creed with as much sincerity as displayed by the rest of the congregation.

So are they welcome?  Do they really believe?  Based on the assumption that the only commandments the original Cylons were given, and then promptly broke were the three laws of robotics, the biological Cylons are now following the Ten Commandments.  God created the earth and everything in it.  God created us and gave us the wisdom to create new things, so by that measure, is it true that everything that we create is ultimately a creation originating from God? An intelligent artificial life-form would be able to adopt an evolutionary approach to its source code - editing out the bits that are useless and allowing their own form of intelligent design to allow them to move on.  Is the incorporation of the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus a recognition that this is the best set of rules to live by.  Or is it proof that the Divine is truly in everything.   As the Cylons have risen above their original programming, and also appear to have the means to reproduce without human intervention, have they as much right to a soul as the rest of us?

Take a look around at this new congregation.  Are they real Christians, or are they just following the motions?

And what about the robots?


Deus ex machina?