TransMormonism and Technology
Transhumanism and its possible relationship to Mormonism received considerable publicity through an article recently published in Sunstone. While many of the arguments/speculations in the article didn’t resonate with me, the idea of a religion developing a positive stance toward technology did. The rapid acceleration in the growth of technogical innovation is a fact of life and we need to learn to deal with it. Taking unyielding negative stands should no longer be an option.
The whole issue of technology and Mormonism has also gotten a boost from Mitt Romney’s run for President. Mitt has chosen to align himself with the Christian Right on issues like stem cell research, a somewhat unexpected decision given his wife’s MS. I think this has caused some to put Mormons in the same boat with Pat Robertson and his ilk. When in fact, Mormon opinions, as exemplified by Senator Orrin Hatch, are much more diverse than some might expect.
Transhumanism as exemplified by the World Transhumanist Association (WTA) is a movement which advocates “the ethical use of technology to expand human capabilities.” Or as described in Sunstone, Tranhumanism’s expectation “is that technological advancement will enable humans to transform themselves gradually into persons who capabilities so radically exceed contemporary capabilities that the term “human” may no longer adequately describe them.” In 2006, the WTA voted to recognize the Mormon Transhumanist Association (MTA) as its first religious special-interest. MTA was set up to explore the parallels and comlements between Transhumanism and Mormonism. In March 2007, Sunstone devoted 15 pages to Tranhumanism, an event that distressed Samuel Holmes who suggested that the anonymous authors might be “pulling our leg” and was “highly amused at the credulity of those who take them seriously.”
The Affirmation of the MTA states: “We believe that scientific knowledge and technological power are among the means ordained of God to enable . . . exaltation.” Such a belief seems a bit esoteric for my taste. Since I’m a civil engineer by trade, I tend to be more practical than philosophical. However, I am concerned that Mormonism doesn’t stick its head in the sand when it comes to rapidly evolving technologies. “Eternal progression” and other similar Mormon beliefs about the future make a lot more sense to me than other Christian views. And religion, philosophy, ethics, etc. should have a guiding influence on the evolution of technology.
I am also very concerned about the earth, but see practical applications of technology as a means of enhancing the terrestrial environment. In my professional capacity I’m working toward making river basins sentient (autonomous, self-regulating, and hopefully with a guiding ethos). Progress toward this goal is happening a lot faster than I would have anticipated a year or two ago.
I’m also very concerned that the Mormon church not get wrapped up with the Christian Right and develop some seriously anti-science and anti-technology stances. I’m optimistic about the future of technology and see a strong role for religion in its development. However, to this point, the Mormon Church has largely wasted this potential. And given its past history with science in regards to evolution, race, homosexuality, DNA and other issues, I’m not real optimistic that Mormonism is ready for such a role.
However, there are good role models out there. I will discuss the role of Apostle John A. Widtsoe in a subsequent entry.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Roger, I’m interested in learning from you why some of the ideas in the article did not resonate with you. If you can make some time for that, here’s a link to the MTA’s discussion forum — just start a thread:
http://transfigurism.org/community/forums/16/ShowForum.aspx
July 27th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
I appreciate your comments, Roger. Especially your statement that you tend to be more practical than philosophical.
There certainly is a lot of philosophy in transhumanism, and perhaps especially Mormon transhumanism, and we always need to remember that we must take practical actions in order to actually get anywhere. I’m not trying to suggest that transhumans or Mormon transhumans do either to the exclusion of the other; they are complimentary, in my opinion. I am trying to suggest that the more practical minded are certainly welcome, and certainly needed!
I don’t follow your comment that the Mormon Transhumanist Association seems to be pulling legs, especially since your objection is merely that it is esoteric. (Or nebulous?) While I am not a spokesman for the MTA or any members beside myself, based on my observations I can assure you that we are serious and sincere, and for many in the MTA the advancement of God’s children, both spiritually and physically, is an important part of our lives.
July 30th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
The comment “pulling our leg” was inappropriate and I have deleted it from the entry. It was never my intention to disparage anyone’s theories or beliefs.
I did mean “esoteric,” however, and not nebulous. I looked up the word esoteric and it is stronger than I intended but more accurately describes my opinion.
The part that doesn’t resonate strongly with me is: “we (members of MTA) have observed that, although our faith was active in relation to many tenets of Mormonism, it was mostly passive in relation to the more concrete aspects of future salvation: transfiguration and resurrection to physical immortality, the paradisiacal glory of millenial Earth, the organization of new worlds, and so forth.(p. 26)”
Two statements did resonate with me: (1) “Influenced by a Transhumanist perspective, Mormons may open themselves to more optimistic views of the near future. (p. 36)” and (2) “Whether tomorrow is wonderful or horrible may depend on the extent to which persons with good minds and loving hearts become actively involved in shaping the future. (p. 38)” I think I would make the latter statement even stronger by stating “will depend.”
August 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Thanks for pointing out the two sides of your feelings toward the article, Roger.
Often, as humans have looked to the future, we have struggled to open our minds to amazing possibilities. Check this out . . .
http://transfigurism.org/community/blogs/lincoln_cannon/archive/2007/07/11/3212.aspx
August 7th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Frequently Mormons seem to fixate on the negative side of the future: the punishment and distruction of the Last Days. How God is going to punish us for our wrong doings. When, in many respects, this is a great time to be alive. The future has great upside potential.
When I was 50, I had a heart attack. When I was 60, I had by-pass surgery. When I was 61, I had reconstructive knee surgery. These events have had very little impact on my travel, work, and other activities. Even the short-term impacts were minimal. Only a few years ago, any of these might have been crippling, or even deadly. But thanx to modern medicine I have hardly been slowed. And the future promises far more incredible advances.
Modern communication advances are also impressive. The Internet is available almost universally. This makes near instantaneous communications with anyone around the world possible. The potential for good here is almost limitless. Yet, the church seems overly fixated on the downside.