The hottest Faith & Spirituality Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Going Under, Coming Up

The Abbey of Misrule • 989 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Orthodoxy Mysticism Prayer Pilgrimage Healing
  1. Baptism and illness are framed as forms of rebirth that strip away pride and the false self, drawing a person into deeper dependence on God and a simpler, more childlike way of being.
  2. A conscious withdrawal from public life and the internet is being taken to recover health and rediscover the joy of writing, with a shift toward pilgrimage, nature, storytelling, and a slower, less regular publishing rhythm.
  3. All future writings will be free to read and supported by a voluntary subscription model so that able readers can fund the work and make it accessible to those who cannot pay, with paid tiers offering community access and extra perks.

Zen Mind, Paranoid’s Mind

Aether Pirates of the Matterium! • 9434 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Zen Awareness Meditation Self-awareness
  1. Paranoia can be a sign of awareness, prompting us to pay attention to potential threats or issues.
  2. Self-examination and self-awareness are crucial for personal growth and navigating challenges effectively.
  3. Reflection and mindfulness in the present moment can help in understanding one's actions and responses in various situations.

How the Bible Helped Smash the Crown

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1465 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Biblical Studies Church-state
  1. The American Revolution rejected earthly kings and said people’s equality comes from God, not from who holds political power.
  2. Freedom of religion was a radical founding idea that rejected religious uniformity and trusted different faiths to live side by side and thrive.
  3. The flourishing of biblical faith helped ground the nation’s idea of equality, and public cooperation between different religious leaders showed religion would play a central, pluralistic role.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Acts of Faith

As Ever • 7 implied HN points • 09 Mar 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Mysticism Spirituality Poetry Contemplation Tradition
  1. When everything collapses, art and poetry still remain and can bring comfort and meaning in the darkest times.
  2. Life can feel like wandering through old traditions and long silences; we keep moving, sometimes speaking with regret, but staying gentle among friends and enemies.
  3. Certain single moments—a touch, a wave, a song—are enough to satisfy us forever, turning into a memory that feels like an inheritance and brings contentment.

The Early Christian Strategy

Astral Codex Ten • 31866 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Morality Game Theory History Philosophy
  1. The TIT-FOR-TAT strategy in a game theory setting shows that being cooperative at first and then matching others' actions leads to the best outcomes. This strategy teaches us that kindness can be more effective than constant distrust.
  2. Early Christians practiced extreme kindness, even to their enemies, which created strong community bonds and trust. Their approach involved helping everyone, demonstrating that selfless love can attract support even in tough times.
  3. While many groups struggle to maintain such selfless strategies over time, history shows that momentous change can occur when people commit to a COOPERATE-BOT mindset, suggesting that genuine kindness might be more powerful than we often believe.

Can Vibe Coding Make Me a Better Catholic?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 329 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism Spirituality Prayer Mental health Religious practice
  1. Advanced AI is being used to build faith-focused mental health tools, showing tech can be turned toward religious practice and pastoral care.
  2. State-of-the-art models like Claude feel almost superhuman, and that sense of completeness makes people nervous about how fast AI is evolving and what it could change in our lives.
  3. Sincere, faith-oriented projects coming from unexpected creators prompt suspicion, highlighting tensions around authenticity, trust, and the role of technology in spiritual life.

My Mormon Obsession

Castalia • 479 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Theology Cultural Studies Personal narrative Community Dynamics
  1. Joseph Smith had unique and complex beliefs about God and spirituality that diverged from the mainstream ideas of his followers. He believed that humans could become like God and that creativity was a path to divinity.
  2. Smith faced opposition and challenges from both within and outside his community, including issues arising from his controversial practices like plural marriage. This led to tensions among his followers and eventually to his downfall.
  3. After Smith's death, the Mormon community experienced a significant shift as leadership changed hands. Brigham Young led the migration to Utah, where the community adopted a more structured approach, moving away from the free-spirited culture that characterized Smith's time.

Sunday caption contest: pray

Robert Reich • 5817 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality
  1. The post is about a Sunday caption contest where people submit captions.
  2. Last week's winner was Rita Fuller with the caption 'Too many good people did nothing.'
  3. Paid subscribers get exclusive content and support the work being done.

Heart Centered Writing

The Forgotten Side of Medicine • 6289 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Writing Communication Holistic Medicine Life purpose
  1. Writing from the heart is important in creating connections with readers and conveying the intended message effectively.
  2. Prioritizing quality over quantity in any work can lead to deeper satisfaction and better outcomes.
  3. Clear and relatable communication is key in teaching and writing, ensuring the audience understands and engages with the content.

Your highlights of 2023, and overcoming helplessness in 2024

Granted • 7427 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Empathy Compassion Self-Improvement Personal Growth
  1. Compassion involves acknowledging distress even if you can't solve it, helping people feel seen.
  2. Top 10 links of 2023 included topics like the effective use of language, email etiquette, and cultural communication differences.
  3. Podcasts on bringing out positivity in kids, unlocking hidden potential, recharging on weekends, and building leadership skills.

'As an Angry Feminist, Should I Let Go of the Dream of Marriage?'

Ask Polly • 6230 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Feminism Marriage Relationships Empowerment Self-love
  1. Cherish your dreams and desires proudly and see your horizons expand.
  2. Recognize that finding the right partner may involve accepting imperfections and making compromises.
  3. Embrace your inner strength and individuality, and believe in your ability to thrive and be loved, with or without a partner.

Jesus as MAGA Cudgel

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 237 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Christian nationalism Church-state Religious politics
  1. Christianity shouldn’t be used as a political cudgel; Jesus’ message of love and compassion clashes with the divisive, hateful tactics tied to MAGA.
  2. Celebrity displays of faith can come off as inauthentic or embarrassing when they’re part of partisan spectacle, so a Jesus stanza in a performance doesn’t prove genuine belief.
  3. Holding politicians and public figures accountable for mixing faith with offensive or divisive actions is important, because hypocrisy undermines Christianity’s moral witness.

Spiritual Attachments as Probability 1 Beliefs

apxhard • 59 implied HN points • 27 Feb 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Comparative Religion Theology Spiritual Practice Ethics Religious Philosophy
  1. Treating beliefs as probabilities (not absolute 0s or 1s) lets you update with evidence and avoids the kind of suffering that comes from being unable to change your mind.
  2. Intentionally making fixed commitments—treating some choices as decision variables immune to evidence—can build discipline and agency but also creates deliberate suffering when reality conflicts with those commitments.
  3. There’s a trade‑off: letting go of rigid beliefs (a Buddhist move) reduces suffering, while choosing to hold some 0/1 commitments (a Christian move) aims for a coherent, fully engaged life even at the cost of suffering.

Why I Am A Pagan

Castalia • 1119 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Philosophy Religious Studies
  1. Paganism views divinity as a connection to nature and different energies in life, rather than just a single god. It's about listening to nature and aligning with its various forces.
  2. In paganism, people can embody different roles like lover, fighter, or craftsman, and their value is based on how they act in each role. This differs from monotheistic views where morality is more binary.
  3. Paganism offers a richer understanding of our experiences and the complexity of human life. It encourages seeing divinity as a form of art that reflects our relationship to the world.

Curating your unique inner imaginarium

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 3394 implied HN points • 09 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Myth Imagination Archetypes Soul
  1. The concept of an 'inner imaginarium' suggests that our imaginations are influenced by external sources and have an independent existence, impacting soul-making.
  2. The imaginal world is seen as a realm of psyche and soul, where archetypes, stories, and creative insights thrive, connecting us to a deeper reality.
  3. Developing a 'mythic sensibility' involves embracing and working with the unique collection of images, stories, and archetypes that resonate with us, contributing to soul-making.

Rainn Wilson and me - some thoughts on death

The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber • 8353 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Death Soul Love Afterlife Religion
  1. Rainn Wilson, known for his role as Dwight on The Office, discusses death and spirituality in a book.
  2. Rainn Wilson reflects on what we leave behind and what we take with us when we die.
  3. The author finds comfort in the idea that love continues on after our physical bodies die, connecting souls and creator with love.

About the Asbury Revival

Tipping Point Prophecy Update by Jimmy Evans • 8058 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Revival Awakening Christianity Prayer
  1. The Asbury Revival started at a small Christian college in Kentucky and quickly spread through prayer and worship.
  2. The student-led revival prompted repentance, action, and love, contrasting with the anger seen at other universities.
  3. Revival may not be a sign of the end times, but it brings hope for spiritual awakening and positive change in society.

Why Are So Many “Christians” Hellbent on Being Horrible?

Webworm with David Farrier • 7979 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Religious Beliefs End-times
  1. Some self-identified 'Christians' exhibit actions contrasting with Christian teachings, causing confusion.
  2. Certain individuals twist Jesus's teachings and values in ways that are opposite to his message.
  3. The behavior of these individuals is not in alignment with the essence of being a true Christian.

Why I Am A (Medieval) Catholic

Castalia • 699 implied HN points • 06 Jul 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Philosophy Psychology Tradition Healing
  1. Medieval Catholicism offers a unique way to understand psychological states using the idea of demons and possession. This approach can help explain behaviors and emotions in a way that modern labels sometimes fail to capture.
  2. The Catholic tradition emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and redemption. This is shown through stories, like Dante's, which illustrate that even the worst actions can lead to healing through understanding and acceptance of one's sins.
  3. Religious language and belief systems can provide powerful support in overcoming struggles, like addiction. Many people find that embracing a higher power helps them in their journey towards recovery and self-acceptance.

On longing and the Asbury Revival.

The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber • 7645 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Prayer Worship Spirit
  1. The Asbury Revival in a small town in Kentucky is characterized by simplicity and humility, focusing on prayer and singing led by young college students.
  2. Critiques and analyses of the revival on social media highlight exhaustion from culture wars and the idolatry of ideology, detracting from the open-hearted awe and curiosity it aims to inspire.
  3. Despite past discomfort, the author longs for the authenticity and connection seen in the Asbury Revival, desiring to be un-self-conscious in devotion to God.

The Heroine's Journey

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2855 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Archetypes Personal Development
  1. The concept of the Heroine's Journey offers a new perspective that differs from the traditional Hero's Journey, focusing on women's experiences and acknowledging their diverse roles beyond stereotypes.
  2. Exploring narrative psychology through fairy tales provides a more relatable and inclusive framework for personal growth, as fairy tales represent the tales of ordinary people and offer a wide range of characters and situations.
  3. The Heroine's Journey encourages individuals to delve deeper into their own journey through life, reflecting on women's archetypes, personal mythmaking, and other narrative processes for self-discovery and understanding.

Listening to Snakes and Bridesmaids

The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber • 6997 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Religion Christianity Biblical Interpretation
  1. The parable of the foolish bridesmaids teaches us to not rely on others but trust in the light of Christ within us.
  2. Parables are not about morals, but about uncovering hidden truths that can set us free.
  3. Listening to voices other than God's can lead us astray, like the bridesmaids who were distracted by external expectations.