Building Trust

I watched, in total fascination, a 15 minute report on AI and religion, aired on Deutsche Welle, last week.  It quoted a staggering figure of 2.16 Euros profit, made in 2024, from Spiritual Wellness Apps.  In the USA, one in three adults use these Apps for support during times of grief, relationship difficulty and financial hardship. Information is gathered from such use to then help establish Virtual Church.  Amazing!  Then there isthe  AI priest, the AI Buddha and even the AI Jesus.  What is all this leading to? 

I will not be the Aussie cynic nor will I simply deny the value of AI.  Neither is the way to go.  In line with the guidance of both the Church and the UN, AI is to be used responsibly and ethically, as a tool for advacing the common good of humanity. 

This post is not about AI, but really about trust.  During the past week, I particpated in a workshop on the use of AI in our work.  I saw how its misuse could destroy trust as its abuse could lead to serious questioning of one 's integrity.  

Is that homily yours? 

Did you really write that proposal or article?  

Any good relationship, strong community or decent world order has to be based on trust.  This issue of trust arose also during the past week, when participating in meetings on helping people in a time when funds are radically lacking.  It struck me the core issue was not funding itself, but trust.  

These discussions on funding arose within the present, chaotic climate created by the unilateral and immediate withdrawal of a major, aid funder on the world scene.  As a response, I was hearing various, professional players, in the field, speak in desperation.  

Does this mean that each player just looks after itself?  

Does it reduce the bonds of professional cooperation?  

Do we trust each other enough to take risks, to be honest, or is it all just about getting our money?  

Do times of difficulty and challenge, whether personal or corprate, reduce our life and actions to the lowest common denominator or do they instill in us the will to struggle even harder, to come together ever stronger?  

The questions go even deeper.  Do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable with each other, to bear our fragility in front of others?  

Do I realise that I am no better than anyone else?  Am I that brutally honest?  Only then can I and we build a trust that is lasting, that speaks of the gospel vision for life.  Trust is fundamental.  Building trust is not just about others.  It is about me.  How do I fare being trustworthy and engendering trust.  Don't expect others to do it for me or instead of me.  Do my bit to better myself and the world. 

Such levels of trust are frightening, but they are needed for a life that is rich and nourishing.  We are being drawn, in our crazy world, to more threatening levels of truat that are simultaneously deeply personal and deeply communal.  Are we up to this?  Trust in God, trust in the other, trust in myself.  It is needed for my sake, if no one else's.