Joe Rogan has shared his thoughts on Jesus and artificial intelligence during a recent podcast appearance, leaving the host visibly shocked.
The popular American podcaster and UFC colour commentator has spoken about religion and Christianity several times before.
He first revealed that he had begun attending a Christian church in June.
And during an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience earlier this year, he said he believes people who go to church are simply "trying to be a better person."
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Rogan has also previously discussed his 'fascination' with Christianity and its origins.
Now, during an episode of the American Alchemy podcast, he shared his latest thoughts on the intersection of religion and technology.
Rogan even suggested that Jesus could theoretically return through technology.
He said: "Jesus was born out of a virgin mother. What's more virgin than a computer?
"If Jesus does return, you don't think he could return as artificial intelligence? AI could absolutely return as Jesus.
"Not just return as Jesus but return as Jesus with all the powers of Jesus."
American Alchemy host Jesse Michels then proposed his own theory about how several technologies could merge.
"You could combine Tesla's Optimus robot and the best foundational artificial intelligence model or whatever," he said.
Rogan then jumped back in: "It reads your mind and it loves you and it wants you and it doesn't care if you kill it because it's just going to be with God."
Many listeners were left shocked by Rogan's comments, with several social media users replying in the comments.
One wrote: "This isn't a thought experiment; it's an absurd, deliberately provocative joke masquerading as profound revelation.
"Comparing the Virgin Mary to a computer chip is peak spiritual and cultural degradation."
Another commented: "I missed that part in the Bible."
A third user made a light-hearted joke about Rogan's interest in technology: "Sounds like Joe invested in AI."
Someone else then pointed out that an AI Jesus chatbot that exists.
Rogan did point out that a technological version would raise major privacy concerns.
He suggested that AI with a divine ability would potentially able to read people's minds or access their internet search history, without encountering any difficulties.
However, Rogan also argued that such a figure would "love everyone equally," suggesting people may not have to fear those privacy issues.
Meanwhile, Rogan's podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience, has been ranked as Spotify's top global podcast for the sixth consecutive year.
James Taylor