An Atheist's Perspective on the Rise of Christian Transhumanism

[cbayer]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/zoltan-istvan/an-atheists-perspective-o_b_6802140.html

Zoltan Istvan
Visionary; Founder of Transhumanist Party; Author of bestselling novel 'The Transhumanist Wager'

Posted: 03/06/2015 5:40 pm EST Updated: 03/06/2015 5:59 pm EST


We are already transhumanists: A NASA astronaut in space -- Photo by NASA

Recently, a number of religious transhumanists -- those who advocate for using science, technology, and religion to improve the human being -- have reached out to me, asking whether I plan to maintain my atheist position as both an outspoken transhumanist and a 2016 U.S. Presidential candidate. Frankly, it's a good question, since America is mostly a Christian nation with mostly religious politicians -- and to make real headway in U.S. politics, it's going to be difficult to do it as a declared atheist.

Even if some of my friends and political advisors suggest it, it's too late for me to do a U-turn on some of my atheistic positions. I've written too many pro-atheist articles and given too many secular-themed speeches. And recently, I helped start the world's first atheist orphanage, which via crowdfunding became fully funded in only 29 hours.

However, I decided to write this bridge-building article because one Christian reverend, Christopher Benek, called me and told me he believed America was ready to start merging Christianity with transhumanism. Some people, including conservative Christians, may find that asinine, but I tend to agree with the reverend. I've said this before: In order for existing formal religion to survive in the 21st Century, it will have to bend and evolve to fit coming technological advancement. Technology is simply too powerful and all-encompassing to not make one's beliefs work with it. Robot pastors, churches in Virtual Reality, debates about a Jesus Singularity, and saving Artificial Intelligences via Christ's redemption are likely going to be a meaningful part of this nation's future, whether religious old-timers disagree or conservative writers like Wesley J. Smith make light of it. Smith recently wrote in the National Review, "Every once in a while, when the world is too much with me, I turn to transhumanist advocacy for a little entertainment."

My own history with religion is varied. I was raised a Catholic (even went to Catholic elementary school). In high school I was more interested in general Christianity, as well as Buddhism. Later, I partially majored in religion in college and even took a month to read the Bible cover to cover. In fact, my departure from Christianity began in earnest the moment after I finished reading the Bible. I was 18-years-old, and it simply contained too many contradictions, too much violence, and too much foreshadowing of the future -- a future that certainly didn't anticipate humans merging with machines, artificial super intelligence, post-genderism, brain implants, robotic hearts, ectogenesis, telepathy, or the multitude of bizarre transhumanist technologies on the horizon (or already here). That said, many parts of the Gospel of Jesus, broadly interpreted, remain an important part of my moral code. Clearly the intent of Jesus to get in touch with the spiritual possibility of the universe was a major improvement over the strict and ritualistic religiosity of the time.

more at link

[gcomeau]

1. I can't wait...

"..saving Artificial Intelligences via Christ's redemption..."

...for the pure comedy gold entertainment that circus act would be.

Just to watch some clueless idiots trying to convince an actual legitimate AI it needs to be "saved" from it's sinful nature so it can have eternal life (which it could effectively achieve for any values of "eternal" which mattered with nothing more than enough secure data backups)... I might die laughing due to an inability to breath.

[cbayer]

2. I am glad you saw the hilarity in this.

I don't really understand transhumanism, but every time I read about it, I feel like I have entered an alternate reality.

The combination proposed here really took me on a trip, lol.

[gcomeau]

3. Huffpo loves printing this kind of stuff.

At least it wasn't another Deepak Chopra article. Those are so much worse...

[cbayer]

4. Even I can't bring myself to post Deepak Chopra, but this

stuff is pretty darn funny.

I don't know anyone personally who adheres to this and haven't seen anywhere here who identifies with it, but I think it would be fun to talk to someone who considers themselves a Transhumanist.