...I was wondering if robots, or any kind of machinery, can go to heaven or hell? And even, can it have thoughts and doubts on its own creation? Because machines are man made creation, I'm stuck. Do you have any advice for me?A: Well, this is a rather interesting one. Never did I think that I'd get to answer something to do with robots. This person may be asking me because my youth often call me "Megatron" due to a poorly explained nickname from fellow Pastor HM. (He subsequently gave me a Bumble bee figurine when our families went to watch Transformers together and told me that at least I had the heart of this fearless dude...thanks.). But I will try my hardest to tap into my inner philosophical side and answer with objectivity.
Now, this was not a question that derived an unanimous answer. Why don't you start by reading this article first. Click HERE.
Firstly, it is important to define what a robot is. According to How Stuff Works (www.howstuffworks.com), a typical robot "has a movable physical structure, a motor of some sort, a sensor system, a power supply and a computer "brain" that controls all of these elements. Essentially, robots are man-made versions of animal life -- they are machines that replicate human and animal behavior." (http://science.howstuffworks.com/robot.htm).
Basically means that unlike my Blackberry which is simply a machine, a robot has a programmable brain that moves a body.
Secondly, I think we need to identify what it means by finding God. Anyone (or any technologically advanced robot in this case), can have the sense of a higher being. You can see this in the case of humans as they struggle to find God or a God. However, there is a difference between finding God and knowing Him through having a relationship with Him.
You are right to point out the fact that humans are created by God and robots are created by humans. Our creator wishes for us to know Him by communing with Him through prayer and community. We have the capacity to do this as it is God ordained. Robots on the other hand, even if they are programmed to have this relationship, cannot have an authentic relationship with God simply because it is not in His will. Through their technology, they can understand God, they can know that there is a God out there, they can even have a sense of closeness to God...but those "feelings" are not real as they are pre-set by their human inventor.
To address the issue of heaven or hell for robots, we need to understand the WAY in which someone gets into heaven or hell. Insert Jesus Christ here. Christ came to die on the cross for the sins of humans. He is the ultimate and final sacrifice in the sacrificial system in atonement of our sin (atonement means forgiveness). Christ came to die for humanity...and not for the creation from humanity.
To further that point...our eternal life (salvation) comes after we have finished living this one. As in, when we die, we'll go to heaven. However, robots don't have the capacity to die because they don't live. Either they are retired because of mechanical problems, or they are fixed so that they can continue on.
I think the article above gives a good philosophical answer on how, when and why robots can have a relationship with God. They may be programmed to feel like a human, act like a human, and even have a conscience like a human. But ultimately, they are just imitations of humanity. They don't possess a soul, they don't possess a true sense of right and wrong (because those just programmed into their being). Robots are unable to truly have a relationship with God through the understanding and salvation of Jesus Christ.
[answered by Pastor KJT]
