ChatGPT Gets More Than 70 Million Religion Questions a Week

Many people ask ChatGPT to help them understand the difficult parts of the Bible. OpenAI says it receives more than 70 million religion-related questions and requests every week, according to an analysis it published on October 8.

About 22 million requests are about studying religious writings. Another 16 million are about religious practices, holidays and how people observe them. A further 16 million ask about beliefs, the meaning of life and spiritual advice. The analysis covers the period from September 2025 to September 2026.

About 45% of the requests were about Islam, while 34% were about Christianity. Hinduism accounted for 4%, Judaism for 2% and Buddhism for 1%. Questions about Christianity increase around Easter. Questions about Islam increase around Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.

Of the messages about Christianity, nearly half ask about Bible passages. Another 13% are about worship, sermons or church practices. OpenAI says people ask ChatGPT to explain difficult Bible passages and find explanations from people who share their religious tradition. On average, these questions sound more like the things people discuss in a small Bible study group than a debate about whether God exists.

Research by Barna has found that Christians who actively practice their faith already use AI at work and at home more than most Americans do. Nearly half say they would trust AI to help them grow in their faith. These Christians also use AI more often than their pastors do. Only about 12% of pastors feel ready to help people understand how to use AI.

OpenAI makes clear that AI “is not — and should not become — an arbiter of religious truth.” In other words, AI should not decide what is true about religion. Sam Altman has also said he is “very uncomfortable” with people treating AI like a religion.

The report does not say whether these conversations lead people to read a physical Bible or visit a real church.