Can a robot enter heaven?

[Funk]

I was tossing this one around in my head on my way to class today:

When, and if, robots become self-aware, will proclaiming a belief in God and Jesus send them to heaven when they "stop functioning"?

Granted, this is assuming that there IS a Christian heaven, but that's not the debate here. Assume that there is. Will robots be allowed into heaven if they believe in God and Jesus?

I believe that they should be. I believe eventually that robots will become not so different than humans, and will develop what will be, in essence, a soul. God said, "be fruitful and multiply". I believe that building androids is basically asexual reproduction, and that the spirit instilled in humans will be passed onto our robotic counterparts.

As of right now, Honda's ASIMO can recognize faces, open doors, and SLOWLY climb stairs. He may already be eyeing the stairway to heaven.

[Chad]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

I don't think a soul can be developed.

[Valkysas]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

can a robot die though? a robot could be repaired over and over, and even have it's brain transferred to a new body. a sentient robot would be immortal. the only way it could die is if it were intentionally destroyed, and then all backups of it were erased.

since according to various religions, our soul leaves our body at death and moves on to heaven, the robot's "soul" would also have to leave it's body and move onto heaven. which means a human would have to engineer and design such a thing, which wold require knowledge of things that can only be learned AFTER death.

so if there is a heaven, I cant see it happening.

[Funk]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

Good point, Valk. We are told that a human soul is the only one that will go to heaven. But in the New Testament we are told that a belief in God and Jesus will also get you into heaven. I wonder what happens when robot believes that Jesus died for its sin?

[Gustaff 13]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

I believe they answered this in Blade Runner, if you were paying attention...

[Funk]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

It's been years since I watched Blade Runner.

[Kefka Jr.]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

Frankly, I just want to know if robots will eat tires instead of licorice.

[Magus]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

Funk, watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

[DK]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

OR ANY OTHER SCI FI ANIME.

[Funk]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

Funk, watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

OK, is it very much related to this topic?

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

The robots of today barely have any sentience of their own, if at all. And personally, I think the world will be destroyed in some freak accident before we're able to create sentient beings anyway. But in the event that someone hit a major breakthrough real soon (or maybe they already did, but are keeping it under wraps), then yes, I believe the robot would gain the same opportunity that those of flesh recieve.

and even have it's brain transferred to a new body.

We're already capable of something similar with living beings (or, at least monkeys). Though it doesn't work too well.

[Jamos' Old Account]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

Funk, watch Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex.

You beat me to it.

[gray]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

if, as you postulate, there is a christian heaven and you want to know if robots can get into it, the answer is no. all it takes for us souley humans to get in is to belive in jesus(it helps if you act like it), but that belief is not what gives us the soul. if there is in fact a christian heaven, then there must be a christian god, and that god is the soul giver. he's not just gonna give em out willy nilly to really smart robots. he dosn't give them to sign language monkeys, and he actually created them.

[ErikaFuzzbottom]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

he dosn't give them to sign language monkeys, and he actually created them.

This is another debate altogether, but I would have to hope that animals have souls. The very thought of me living on but never being able to see any of my old pets again (and let me tell you, they had a lot of personality) is quite depressing.

[Magus]

Re: Can a robot enter heaven?

OK, is it very much related to this topic?

In that it involves artificial intelligence and whether or not it can gain an individuality and a soul, yeah.

Blade Runner too, as previously stated.

...Or any sci-fi anime :P