By Rev. Robert (Bob) Murphy
Speak truth to power. The moral questions about new technology are always the same. Same questions for space travel, social media, genetic engineering, nuclear power and other topics that come to mind.
- Who controls the new technology and how is it used?
- Who benefits and who pays the price?
You’ll have a rough ride in the 21st century if you’re not asking those questions.
In 1776, two things happened that are still worth noting. In Philadelphia, the American rebels produced their Declaration of Independence. On the other side of the Atlantic, the philosopher Adam Smith produced The Wealth of Nations. Smith was a Christian who expressed sympathy for the poor.
His famous book remains the great text for laissez-faire economics. All will be well, said Adam Smith, when capitalists proceed in their own way with few restraints. The happiest and the most prosperous nations, said Smith, will have little government.
A New Revolution
A religious revolution is needed, and it will begin when Smith’s philosophy is questioned. We live in a world that would amaze Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Since 1776, new class divisions and new systems of oppression have developed – even though many exited then. Major corporations have gained enormous influence, in part, because of their ability to control political systems and the advanced technology that is present in much of the world.
Welcome Advice
A few days ago, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first papal encyclical. The pontiff expressed concern about the future of artificial intelligence. In a humane society, the development of labor-saving technology will be welcomed. In a society dominated by profit-seeking corporations, there is reason for people of faith to be concerned. As Unitarian Universalists, we must ask the right questions and challenge others to do the same:
- How do working class people benefit from the creation of artificial intelligence?
- What happens when major corporations rule planet Earth?
- What does economic justice look like?
- How much government is needed?
Conflict continues in the Middle East and in other regions and the global economy suffers. The impact of climate change is here and now. Because of military actions, because of climate change, and because of new developments in technology, demographics and government, low-income, working class and other economically marginalized people (federal and other workers who lost jobs in the past year+) have rediscovered the need for mutual aid.
What We Can Do
When it comes to shaping technology policy, as is true of other critical policy issues, lobbying is important and organizing through demonstrations, other acts of resistance and voting are also important. Unitarian Universalists should be involved. There’s a lot that needs to be done in order to create and sustain systemic change. And at the local level, congregations can begin to meet the moment through human-to-human support provided by mutual aid.
Read more about mutual aid and our UU program that helps congregations support working class and other economically marginalized UUs in these difficult times.