Have you heard about the new computer program that can write language in the style of a certain person? It’s called GPT, an acronym that stands for Generative Pre-Trained Transformer. A GPT can take simple prompts in natural human language as an input, and answer questions, write poems, translations, blog posts, or any other style of human-like text.
One person prompted GPT to imagine how a conversation between Jesus and a trans person would go. Here is the passage that the computer composed:
“And a woman, whose heart was divided between spirit and body, came before him, in quiet despair, she asked, ‘Lord, I come to you estranged, for my spirit and body are not one. How shall I hope to enter the kingdom of God?’
Jesus looked upon her with kindness, replying, ‘my child, blessed are those who strive for unity within themselves, for they shall know the deepest truths of my Father’s creation. Be not afraid, for in the kingdom of God, there is no man nor woman, as all are one in spirit. The gates of my Father’s kingdom will open for those who love and are loved, for God looks not upon the body, but the heart.’”
So, how did GPT do? I would suggest changing “kingdom” to “kindom” or to “reign,” and changing the masculine attributes of God to gender neutral language. But other than that, it works for me. How do you feel about this Midrash (interpretation of scripture)? What would you edit? What would your writing on the subject of trans people say?
Shalom, Paul