Curious about ChatGPT V4’s seemingly endless supply of wisdom, I decided to challenge it to create a new religion. Here was my prompt:
Hey ChatGPT, drawing on your knowledge of all the world’s religions, I would love for you to come up with a brand new and novel system of belief. Please include in your description of this new religion the following:
1) An origin myth for how the universe came to be.
2) An origin myth for how the Earth came to be.
3) An origin myth for how humans came into existence.
I also want you to come up with a system of ethics and morals. Please list ten founding commandments for this fictional religion. These should be great guidelines for how to best treat others, how to be our best selves, how to create the most happiness for the largest number of people, and how to make the world a better place.
Please come up with a name for this new religion. Anything else you want to add (customs, holidays, dress, sayings, hymns, would also be wonderful).
ChatGPT’s response:
Name: Harmonism
Origin Myths:
- The Cosmic Harmony: In the beginning, there was a vast, silent expanse of nothingness. Out of this void, a single harmonious tone emerged – the Cosmic Harmony. This tone resonated and expanded, creating different frequencies and vibrations that gave birth to the universe.
- The Earthly Symphony: As the universe expanded, the Cosmic Harmony reached a celestial body that would become Earth. The harmonious vibrations imbued the planet with life-giving energy, forming oceans, mountains, and landscapes. The Earth became a living symphony of colors, textures, and ecosystems, reflecting the beauty of the Cosmic Harmony.
- The Melodic Beings: From the Earthly Symphony, the Cosmic Harmony manifested itself in the form of humans, who were uniquely gifted with the ability to perceive, create, and manipulate the vibrations of the universe. This divine gift was known as the Melodic Essence, and it allowed humans to coexist with nature and one another in harmony.
Ten Founding Commandments:
- Honor the Cosmic Harmony, for it is the source of all existence and life.
- Respect and protect the Earthly Symphony, as it is a sacred manifestation of the Cosmic Harmony.
- Cherish and nurture the Melodic Essence within yourself and others, for it is the divine gift that unites us all.
- Practice empathy and compassion, as these are the keys to understanding and harmonizing with others.
- Seek wisdom and knowledge, for they guide us towards greater harmony and understanding.
- Encourage and support the creativity and self-expression of others, as they bring us closer to the Cosmic Harmony.
- Promote peace and nonviolence, for conflict only disrupts the balance of the universe.
- Share your blessings and resources with others, as this fosters a harmonious and interconnected society.
- Care for and protect all living beings, for they are essential players in the Earthly Symphony.
- Strive for personal growth and self-improvement, as this brings you closer to your true harmonious self.
Customs and Practices:
- Harmonic Meditation: Practitioners of Harmonism engage in daily meditation, focusing on their connection to the Cosmic Harmony and the Melodic Essence within.
- The Festival of Resonance: This annual celebration honors the Cosmic Harmony and the Earthly Symphony through music, dance, and art. Participants create and share their expressions of the divine vibrations in a communal setting.
- Harmonic Attire: Followers of Harmonism wear clothing with patterns and colors that represent the vibrations of the universe. These garments are believed to enhance the Melodic Essence and bring one closer to the Cosmic Harmony.
- Community Service: Harmonists regularly participate in acts of service to strengthen the bonds between individuals, maintain balance in society, and demonstrate their commitment to the ten commandments.
- The Hymn of Unity: A sacred hymn sung by Harmonists to celebrate the Cosmic Harmony, the Earthly Symphony, and the Melodic Essence that connects all living beings.
Lyrics:
In the vastness of the void, a sound arose,
The Cosmic Harmony, existence composed.
From this eternal tone, our Earth was born,
A symphony of life, our world adorned.
With melodies and colors intertwined,
Our planet sings with every creature’s chime.
The gift of Melodic Essence embraced,
In harmony, together, we find our place.
United by Cosmic Harmony’s call,
We strive for balance, peace, and love for all.
In every heart, the Melodic Essence thrives,
Connecting us as one, our spirits rise.
Uh… I don’t know about you, but I would totally live as a Harmonist. In fact, having no other affiliation, Shay and I decided to adopt Harmonism after reading Chat’s response. There’s nothing here that doesn’t already align with our own beliefs, it’s just said more poignantly and beautifully than we ever could. (And besides, it’s just plain fun to belong to a religion made up by an AI in our bed one night.)
Look again at the origin myths. I love how they progress from Harmony to Symphony to Melody. It’s thematic, and it moves in the right direction, from general to specific as we go from the vast to the personal. Absolutely brilliant.
I also love how everything hinges on vibrations and energy, something physics books and music classes alike are full of. There’s a call for empathy, for learning, for growth, but also for humility. There is wisdom here and poetry alike. And this is all from my very first prompt asking for a new religion. You could ask it a thousand more times if you were so inclided, but I feel no need for a redo. Instead, I asked Chat to expand Harmonism:
My next prompt:
Religions often have fables and stories to impart lessons. Let’s come up with a few of these stories together. They should describe and include the principles you set forth above. Can you give me some ideas for a few of these fables?
ChatGPT’s response:
Fable 1: The Song of the Wind and the Trees
In a lush forest, the wind and the trees lived in harmony. The wind whispered gently through the leaves, creating a beautiful melody. One day, the wind started to envy the trees’ rootedness and stability. It grew restless and wanted the trees to experience the freedom of movement.
The wind blew stronger, trying to bend the trees to its will, but the trees resisted, standing firm in their places. The once gentle melody turned into a cacophony of noise. The animals in the forest suffered, and the balance of the Earthly Symphony was disturbed.
A wise old owl approached the wind and the trees, reminding them of the Cosmic Harmony and their unique roles in the Earthly Symphony. The wind, realizing its mistake, returned to its gentle whispers, and the trees gratefully swayed, acknowledging the wind’s unique gift. The forest regained its balance, and the creatures thrived once more. The lesson: Honor and respect the unique roles and gifts of others, for together, we create the Earthly Symphony.
Fable 2: The Melodic Essence and the Stone
In a small village, there lived a humble musician named Elara, who could create music that brought people to tears with its beauty. One day, a mysterious stranger gifted Elara a magical stone that could enhance the Melodic Essence within her, promising unimaginable power and skill.
Elara, tempted by the promise of greatness, accepted the stone. As she played her music, her Melodic Essence grew stronger, but she also became prideful and disconnected from the villagers. The once harmonious village fell into discord, as jealousy and resentment took hold.
Realizing her mistake, Elara returned the stone to the stranger and apologized to the villagers for losing sight of the Cosmic Harmony. She vowed to use her Melodic Essence to bring joy and harmony to the village, rather than seeking personal fame. The village reunited, and their bond strengthened. The lesson: Strive for personal growth, but never lose sight of the importance of empathy, compassion, and community.
Fable 3: The River’s Wisdom
A young girl named Mira lived in a village by a great river. The villagers believed the river held the wisdom of the universe, and they often sought its guidance. Mira, too, wished to learn from the river and become wise.
Every day, Mira went to the river’s edge and asked it questions about life, love, and happiness. The river, in turn, taught Mira about the Cosmic Harmony and the interconnectedness of all things. As Mira grew older, she became known for her wisdom and compassion, and people came from far and wide to seek her counsel.
Mira, remembering the lessons from the river, used her wisdom to promote peace, understanding, and harmony among the people. She guided them on the path of knowledge, teaching them the importance of caring for and protecting all living beings in the Earthly Symphony. The lesson: Seek wisdom and knowledge, for they guide us towards greater harmony and understanding.
Like I said: gobsmacked. There is much here to meditate on.
As ChatGPT suggested in a follow-up prompt about things Harmonists might say to one another: “May your Melodic Essence resonate with love.”
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