EP16 | The Rise of Tech-Paganism: How AI and Ancient Rituals are Merging

As materialism fails to explain human consciousness, a new and ancient "Liturgy of Self-Making" is rising. In this deep-dive, Anthony Costello, Carl Teichrib and myself, Joshua Farris, explore how AI, Neo-Paganism, and the sexual revolution are converging to redefine what it means to be human.Is the world becoming more technological, or more theological? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of SXSW and Paganicon to witness the birth of a new cultural era. We move beyond surface-level politics to examine the "Sexual Monism" and "Radical Individualism" driving today’s headlines.From the failure of physicalism in AI labs to the "bestial ethics" of modern fantasy literature, our speakers provide a chilling diagnosis of a society that has detached sex from creation and the self from the Logos.What you will learn in this episode:The Failure of Materialism: Why top scientists are abandoning physicalism for mysticism.The AI Mirror: How technology is becoming a tool for modern divination and "Digital Animism."The Pagan Ethic: Why a worldview without a transcendent standard inevitably leads to a "Might Makes Right" power dynamic.The Narcissism of Modern Sex: How the detachment of gender and sexuality from the body is impacting the future of civilization.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: It’s a Theological World After All12:15 – SXSW Report: Why AI Experts are Desperate for Humanity24:30 – Paganicon 2026: Using AI for Tarot and Rituals36:45 – The Aesthetic Ethic: Beauty vs. Ugliness in Neo-Paganism48:20 – Sexual Monism: The Goal of "Gender Alchemy"01:05:10 – The Power Trap: Why Paganism Can't Condemn "The Hawk vs. The Squirrel"01:18:30 – Stoicism & The Logos: Is There a Rational Alternative?01:32:45 – The Marketing of the Occult: Fantasy Fiction and Young Women01:45:10 – Conclusion: The Deconstruction of the Sexual NarrativeConnect with the Kirkwood Center:Website: https://www.kirkwoodcenter.org/Take the Next Step in Your EducationIf this conversation has sparked a desire to go deeper into the intersection of theology, science, and the soul, I want to invite you to explore our advanced programs. Equip yourself to engage the modern world with intellectual rigour and spiritual depth. Explore Our Degree Programs Here: https://degrees.soulscienceministries.com/#Theology #ArtificialIntelligence #NeoPaganism #Worldview #ChristianApologetics #CultureWar #Ethics #Philosophy