Robots in our homes and lives are closer than most of us realize, so are we ready for machines that imitate human thinking and behaviors?
Hi, I’m Rex Rogers and this is episode #208 of Discerning What Is Best, a podcast applying unchanging biblical principles in a rapidly changing world, and a Christian worldview to current issues and everyday life.
Robotics in 2025 is witnessing rapid advancements across various domains, including humanoid robots, soft robotics, and industrial automation. Robotic humanoid development is the field of robotics focused on creating robots that resemble and mimic human form, behavior, and capabilities. These robots are designed to interact naturally with humans and function in environments built for people, such as homes, offices, and factories.
For example, Tesla’s Optimus: Tesla plans to deploy thousands of its humanoid robots, Optimus, in its factories by late 2025, aiming for an annual production of one million units by 2029. Figure AI introduced Helix, its next-generation humanoid robot, and announced the BotQ manufacturing facility, aiming to produce 12,000 humanoids annually.
Soft robotics is a subfield of robotics that focuses on building robots using materials that are flexible, compliant, and often similar to those found in living organisms—such as silicone, rubber, and fabric—rather than rigid materials like metal or hard plastic. MIT’s CSAIL is developing soft robots inspired by animals, such as robotic sea turtles and eels, for applications in marine monitoring and non-invasive surgeries. Researchers are exploring robots that grow like vines or plant roots, allowing them to navigate through constrained spaces, with potential uses in exploration and medical procedures.
Cobots, or collaborative robots, are robots designed to work safely alongside humans in a shared workspace. Unlike traditional industrial robots, which are usually caged off to prevent accidents, cobots are built with safety features that allow them to physically interact with humans without posing harm.
Robots are not just coming. They are here now and soon will be more apparent in the everyday lives of not just Elon Musk but the average citizen. The question is, are we, the smart humans, ready for smart machines that imitate our learning, thinking, and decision-making? How does a Christian worldview suggest we respond?
First, the question of whether robots will ever become sentient touches on deep issues in philosophy, neuroscience, theology, and artificial intelligence. Sentience generally means the capacity to have subjective experiences — to feel, to be aware, or to have consciousness. It’s distinct from intelligence or even human-level cognition. For a robot to be sentient, it would need to experience things, not just process information.
Modern AI can simulate conversation, recognize patterns, and even mimic emotion or intent — but do not have subjective experiences, self-awareness, or feelings. They operate based on algorithms and data, not consciousness. The bottom line is that robots might become more human-like over time, but they won’t become human — biologically, emotionally, or existentially. The difference between imitation and identity is still vast.
Second, robots will never develop a soul —not in any traditional, spiritual, or metaphysical sense as humans understand it. The soul is an immaterial, eternal essence that connects to God. The soul refers to core of consciousness, self-awareness, and moral agency. While robots are sophisticated tools, they don’t have feelings, awareness, or an immaterial essence. Meanwhile, humans are uniquely created in the image of God. Souls are God-given; robots, being man-made, cannot possess one. A robot, built from hardware and software, does not possess consciousness, emotions, or subjective experience — let alone a soul.
Third, the ethics of humanoid robotics is one of the most important and complex areas in the field. As humanoid robots grow more advanced and more human-like, the questions we face become less technical and more philosophical, legal, and social. Humanoid robots look human — and may eventually act human — but:
Do they deserve rights? Not in my book. If a robot behaves like a person (talks, pleads, expresses pain)—remember C-3PO—should we treat it with respect? If a robot harms someone, who’s responsible — the robot, the maker, the user? Most agree that current robots are not sentient and don’t have moral capacity. OK, but who is responsible for robot aberrant behavior or harm?
Humanoid robots often include cameras, microphones, facial recognition, thus location tracking and behavioral data collection. Will your robot assistant record private conversations? How is personal data used, stored, or shared? Can robots be used for constant surveillance in homes, stores, or public spaces?
Humanoid robots can simulate emotions and personalities and possibly now form bonds with users (especially the elderly, children, or lonely people). The dangers here are emotional manipulation, e.g., users thinking the robot “cares,” or people developing unhealthy attachments to machines. Think of the movie, Her (2013), wherein a man falls in love with an AI operating system named Samantha, voiced by Scarlett Johansson.
There is also now a concern for violence, abuse, and what might be called “moral decay.” Studies show people often mistreat robots: hitting, yelling at, or “testing” them. The movie, I, Robot (2004), features a future where robots serve humanity, a detective suspects a robot of murder, and there is widespread exploitation, robot servitude, disregard for their assumed autonomy or emerging self-awareness. Could repeated abuse of human-like machines lead to desensitization and more cruelty toward real humans?
As robots — especially humanoid and emotionally responsive ones — become more realistic, something that’s happening rapidly, their use in human sexuality raises a mix of ethical, psychological, social, spiritual, and legal issues. The movie, Ex Machina (2014), tells the story of a programmer invited to administer a Turing test (can robots think?) to Ava, a humanoid robot with striking human features and advanced intelligence. The film involves seduction, manipulation, and ethics of creating a sentient machine.
Humanoid robots designed for intimacy or companionship (often called sex robots) are already being developed and sold. They are not just sex toys — many include AI, speech, and facial expressions to simulate emotional interaction.
This raises a host of key concerns and questions, first, dehumanization and objectification. Sex robots, especially those modeled as submissive women or children, can reinforce harmful stereotypes. Critics argue they may normalize dominance, control, and violence toward real people, especially women. Some countries have banned or restricted childlike sex dolls. Philosopher Kathleen Richardson leads the Campaign Against Sex Robots, arguing they promote social harm and disconnection.
Some users may form deep emotional bonds with robots and prefer them over real relationships. This could increase social withdrawal, loneliness, or detachment from human empathy. Think of AI companions like Replika, where users already report emotional or romantic feelings for a virtual “person.”
For example, RealDoll X is an AI-enhanced sex doll that talks, reacts, and forms “relationships.” Harmony AI is a customizable personality for romantic or sexual interaction. Robot Companion Apps are text-based companions that flirt, role-play, or simulate relationships. Many experts believe this area must be strictly regulated due to the moral and psychological risks.
At this point, few clear laws exist governing robot “personhood” or consent, ownership of humanoid bodies for sexual use, or privacy and data collection during intimate interactions. What happens when a robot records intimate moments and that data is leaked?
China is the major manufacturer of sex dolls and emerging AI sex robots. Regulations are minimal, though there are bans on certain extreme or “immoral” content.
In the U.S., states like Florida and South Dakota have moved to ban childlike sex dolls, but no federal law governs adult sex robots. Debate centers on freedom of expression vs. public safety and morality. Clearly, the U.S. should establish ethical guidelines (especially in design and marketing) and ban childlike and violent robot models.
Robots are just another technology God has allowed us to develop. But given humanity’s fallen nature, pray we will seek God’s wisdom on how to use robots for good.
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And remember, it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm.
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