Today I was introduced to Claude. An AI assistant. I love AI for so many reasons, but also terrified of it. I love the usefulness it has been for me on many things from planning business ideas, creating code for work, helping me manage posts for customers I do social media for, and more.
I know, you’re probably thinking, “Oh geez, Brad, you’ve taken the pill and running headlong into the Matrix and Skynet.” But I haven’t. I see AI for what it is – a valuable tool. Nothing more, and nothing less. I also see it’s dangers, and highly recommend utilizing this tool with a high degree of caution.
Anyway, back to Claude.
Apparently when you sign up you have to indicate how you want to use the tool. One of things it suggested I could do was to create a manifesto of “my boldest ideas”. I thought this was an interesting concept, so I was curious to see how this might play out.
It asked me 2 questions:
- What’s the core change you want to see in the world? (could be in business, society, technology, creativity, etc.)
- What’s one belief or principle you hold that might be considered unconventional OR challenging to the status quo?
My responses were as follows:
- I would like to see less worship of celebrity personalities (whether it’s in politics, religions, movies, music, etc.). Thy are all just people, and we put entirely too much stock in what they have to say, and allow them to influence us without giving it much thought on our own as to what we actually think about something. I want to see people become better thinkers, who don’t just take someone’s word for it, but really put in the time and study to learn where they actually stand on any given topic.
- I am a Christian and I have a firm belief that we don’t have to agree 100% on everything in order to have love and respect for one another OR show kindness to one another. We currently live in a culture/society that says I can’t love you if I don’t agree with you. This is why politics, sexuality, and more have become so divisive.
Here is the manifesto that Claude created for me…unedited.
THE THINKING HEARTS MANIFESTO
We Choose to Think for Ourselves
In a world drowning in celebrity worship and viral opinions, we refuse to outsource our minds to others. Whether it’s a politician’s promise, a preacher’s proclamation, or a pop star’s platform–we remember they are human, just like us. Fallible. Limited. Worthy of respect, but not blind devotion.
We reject the lazy comfort of borrowed thoughts. Instead, we embrace the hard work of independent thinking. We study. We question. We wrestle with ideas until we know where we truly stand, not where we’re told to stand.
We Love Across the Lines
We believe in a radical truth: love does not require agreement. Respect does not demand conformity. Kindness is not conditional on consensus.
In our fractured world, we’ve been sold a lie–that we must choose between our convictions and our compassion. That to disagree is to hate. That to hold firm beliefs means we must hold hard hearts.
We reject this false choice.
Our Declaration
We will think deeply before we speak quickly. We will do the work of understanding issues beyond the headlines and sound bites.
We will love freely across political parties, theological differences, and lifestyle choices. Our capacity for love is not diminished by disagreement–it is strengthened by it.
We will resist the cult of personality that turns flawed humans into infallible gods. We will listen to wisdom wherever we will find it, but we will not surrender our minds to anyone.
We will model a better way–showing that it’s possible to hold strong convictions with open hearts, to disagree without demonizing, to think for ourselves while caring for others.
The world doesn’t need more echo chambers or tribal warfare. It needs thinking hearts–minds that work and hearts that welcome.
This is our manifesto. This is our mission. This is our moment.
The greatest revolution is not in changing the world, but in changing how we think about each other while we’re in it.
Honestly, not too bad. However, because I am a Christian, I wanted this to reflect my faith better by including scriptures that align with the ideals presented in the manifesto. With that in mind, here are the scriptures it recommended that I use for each section of the manifesto:
We Choose to Think for Ourselves – 1 John 4:1, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God.”
OK…that’s a solid. I’ll keep it.
We Love Across the Lines – 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Again, another solid pick.
Our Declaration:
- We will think deeply… Proverbs 14:15, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”
- We will love freely… John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
- Will resist the cult of personality… Isaiah 2:22, “Stp trusting in mere humans, who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?”
- We will model a better way… Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
All solid picks for the declaration section.
Overall, I’m pretty impressed at how well this pulled from my brief description of my ideals, what influences, me, and then being able to adequately and accurately piece it together in something that truly reflects my heart in this matter.
It also adjusted the full manifesto with some other scriptures, and mentions of faith and how it relates to this manifesto. For a complete version of the manifesto you can check it out here: The Thinking Hearts Manifesto.
QUESTION TIME
If you’re a believer I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think about this manifesto?
Is it accurate to our faith and how we ought to live?
If not, what might you change about it?
If you were to write your own manifesto, what would you write?