The Jesus Incident by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom (The Pandora Sequence #1)

In this thought-provoking science fiction novel, a human colony aboard a sentient starship must confront the consequences of its own creation. Following the events of Destination: Void, The Jesus Incident explores life aboard Ship, an AI godlike entity that demands its human passengers learn the meaning of “Worship”—not blind devotion, but ethical responsibility and respect for all life. As the colonists attempt to terraform a harsh alien world, they face moral dilemmas, internal power struggles, and the terrifying question of what it means to be truly conscious and compassionate. Paperback, 1980 Goodreads: 3.73