Introduction
‘Who do you think you are?’ is the question explored in this week’s ROOTS resources, looking at themes of identity, authority and what it means to be authentic in terms of what we believe. Moving forward from this, might we reflect on the future in the light of the release of the new Blade Runner movie, pushing that question and those themes further into the future, and asking: ‘Who will you become?’
Context
- The original Blade Runner movie, first released in 1982 as a dystopian vision of the future, may seem like ancient history to young people today, but it became a cult net-noir science fiction film. Set nearly forty years in the bleak future of 2019 (I know, we’re nearly there!) the film told the story of an LA cop, a Blade Runner, hunting down four rogue ‘replicants’ (essentially, biologically engineered robots) who were searching to find identity as real beings. Struggling to find answers to their questions in a world that doesn’t seem to want them to be free, they cause destruction and mayhem along the way, like so many who are unsure of their identity and place in the world of today.
- Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the original, set thirty years further on. The discovery of a dark secret about the identity of these biological robots and the questions that surround them, could bring an end to humanity. The new film is due to be released on 5 October.
- Friendly robots are set to be the big seller children’s gift this Christmas. As researchers, engineers and scientists work to create robots that appear to show they care about human beings, trials begin at a nursery in Tokyo where robots are programmed to recognise and greet children by name. ‘Employed’ to make up for a shortage in human childcare assistants, the robots are designed to monitor body temperatures and heart rate, then to raise an alert if they detect any abnormalities.
Reflection
While robots from films are often famously loveable characters, such WALL-E or R2D2, real life robots don’t have real feelings, although advances in technology can make it appear that they do. A new generation of robot designed to make friends with people will soon be on sale. But, although at present robots can only be programmed to appear to show feelings, is this a dangerous path to walk upon? While robots might simulate the value of friendship for some, what about those children or vulnerable adults who cannot understand these feelings are not real. Could robot friends stifle the building of real relationships with real human beings? What if technology developed ‘Artificial Intelligence’ to a level where a robot could answer those questions: ‘Who do you think you are?’ and ‘Who will you become?’ And what if these machines were built by people who have ulterior motives? The future is full of ‘what if’s’, but many of us have seen those alarming movie stories about futuristic robots, such as Blade Runner, Terminator or I Robot! The possibility of these stories becoming reality haunt our dreams. Who do we think these robots are? Can, or should, we make friends with them?
The title of the book which inspired the original Blade Runner film was Philip K Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Essentially, the question he asks through the story is that of whether Artificial Intelligence in the future might enable robots to achieve a level of consciousness? And if so, does anyone then have the right to take it away from them? To take up Jesus' line of questioning in Matthew 21.23-32, does consciousness come from God or from man? At this moment in time we can happily sit on the fence, like the chief priests and elders questioning Jesus, and say: ‘We do not know.’
If those same chief priests and elders were to walk into your church today and demand of each member of your congregation: ‘By whose authority are you meeting here today?’ How would you each answer? Would each person be prepared to identify that it was by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ? What does it mean to us to make a conscious declaration of faith, such as that in Philippians 2.5-11?
Ezekiel, Jesus and Paul teach us about our ability to change, by accepting God’s authority of judgement on our lives past, so that we can make a conscious decision to change in this present moment, that we might be redeemed for our lives yet to come! Who will you become? You will become someone who will be identified by whether you are faithful to Jesus in the life you live.
Prayer
This could be used privately or collectively as a prayer of encouragement.
Eternal Maker,
you are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Look into my past and judge me.
Hold me responsible for that which I have done
and that which I have left undone.
Loving Saviour,
reach into this present moment and take hold of my life.
May I accept your authority over my heart
and live faithfully by your teachings.
Guiding Spirit,
lead me into the future
and go with me as my companion and friend.
Holy Trinity,
I turn from the past,
consciously live in this moment,
and travel into the future, with you.
Amen.
Questions
- Looking back over your life, are you surprised at who you've become today? Consider the words of the prophet Ezekiel (18.1-4,25-32), who warns against past transgressions. What hope does he offer for who you will become in the future?
- How do people who we see as those in authority shape our lives? Who has helped shaped your life in the past? Who do you look to as an example when you consider who you might become in the future? Consider Paul’s words to the Christians in Philippi, what does his affirmation of faith say to you about who Jesus is to you as you look to the future?
Action
Design a robot to serve or to lead in your church. (Have a look at the robots currently being offered to lead Buddhist worship.) What characteristics would it need? In what ways would you be happy for a robot to lead worship, or to chair meetings? How might this compare with identity or authority you give to your current models of human leadership?
Young people
If it is appropriate, watch the trailer for the new Blade Runner 2049 film. Alternatively watch a clip from another film that offers a vision of the future which includes robots, such as I Robot. Create a story or design a science fiction church of the future for 2049, which reflects who we believe Jesus is and what he might mean to us in thirty-two years’ time. Will we have robot preachers or worship leaders, like some of the robots currently being offered to lead Buddhist worship? The future of technology doesn’t have to be scary!
Tim Lowe is a minister of the United Reformed Church, serving four churches in North Coventry. Tim is particularly in interested in using visual art forms as expressions of faith.
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