The hottest Belief Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Is It Better To Believe In Anything Than In Nothing?

Gideon's Substack • 28 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Philosophy Ethics Culture
  1. Believing in something, even if it's not perfect, can be better than not believing at all. It gives people a sense of meaning in life.
  2. Skepticism is important; it's better to question and understand what you believe rather than blindly accept any belief, especially if it involves harmful practices.
  3. People often connect with beliefs not just through logic, but also through community and shared experiences, like enjoying meals together.

Ross Douthat: Everyone Should Believe in God

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2179 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Secularism Spirituality Conversion
  1. Many people are feeling drawn back to religion after a period of being more secular. It's like there’s a little spark in the younger generations wanting to explore faith again.
  2. High-profile figures are converting to religion, suggesting a trend where even the educated elite are rethinking their beliefs. This shows that curiosity about spirituality is growing, even among the skeptics.
  3. However, there’s a worry about why people are turning to religion. It's important to think about the reasons behind this interest in faith to ensure it’s meaningful and genuine.

How do you talk to God?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1798 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Prayer Doubt Guidance Existential
  1. Talking to God can feel confusing, especially if you're not sure He exists. It's okay to want to reach out even if you have doubts.
  2. Many people struggle with the feeling of not deserving help when asking for guidance. Remember, it's natural to seek support, regardless of your beliefs.
  3. Feeling like a fraud for wanting to connect with God is common. Just know that it's okay to explore your feelings and thoughts about spirituality.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Man Comes Around

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3597 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Christianity Belief Spiritual growth Theology
  1. Jude 5 is one of the most profound verses in the Bible, emphasizing the human and divine nature of Jesus.
  2. Jesus's brothers, who initially rejected Him, later went to their deaths proclaiming Him the risen Lord. Something significant must have happened.
  3. Believing in the resurrection of Jesus can bring comfort and hope, even in times of struggle and despair.

When I say I believe in God

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 347 implied HN points • 12 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Religion Spirituality Personal Growth Self-discovery
  1. Believing in God can start suddenly and unexpectedly, sometimes triggered by self-discovery moments. It’s a personal journey that can evolve over time.
  2. Understanding oneself better, like through personality tests, can lead to deeper realizations about life and beliefs. Self-awareness is key to personal growth.
  3. Explaining spiritual beliefs can be challenging, as they are often complex and deeply personal. Everyone's experience with faith is unique.

A Merry Little Chrismukkah

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 579 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Tradition Community Identity Belief
  1. For the first time in many years, Hanukkah and Christmas are overlapping, creating a unique celebration called 'Chrismukkah.' This blending shows a connection between Jewish and Christian communities this year.
  2. People from different backgrounds gathered to share their faith and values, highlighting the importance of family and community. The spirit of togetherness felt stronger during challenging times.
  3. The current environment has changed how many view their identities, especially for those who were once in the majority. There's a new awareness of what it feels like to be part of a minority group.

The Abyss

Becoming Noble • 1514 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Philosophy Ethics Nihilism
  1. The idea of forming a warrior religion may be exciting, but it is essential to consider the flawed approach to truth, belief, action, and divinity.
  2. Religion should originate from a genuine encounter with the divine, rather than being artificially constructed for practical purposes.
  3. Seeking spiritual guidance solely from nature without a foundation in absolute Truth can lead to nihilism and a lack of transcendent orientation.

“Winners never quit, and quitters never win” and other lies

SOAR with Sara Hagerty • 628 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Spiritual growth Purpose Suffering
  1. The idea of winners never quitting and quitters never winning is a lie we internalize since childhood.
  2. Sometimes quitting is necessary for personal growth and moving towards a new path.
  3. It's important to consider when holding onto a dream might be detrimental to our well-being and embrace the idea of letting go.

Heaven's Gate

Becoming Noble • 1235 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Religious practices
  1. A movement needs a single inception point where the spark touches the kindling and action begins.
  2. There is a need to move from the profane to the sacred, creating a sacred space for the new world conception.
  3. For Christians, the task is to re-sacralize existing sacred spaces, while Nietzschean vitalists need to establish and consecrate their own sacred spaces.

Elon Musk's, Steve Jobs', Albert Einstein's Secret Sauce

Play Permissionless • 239 implied HN points • 04 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Mindset Purpose Self-image Impact
  1. Your beliefs and expectations can influence your reality. If you think people don't like you or are out to harm you, you may end up experiencing just that. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy.
  2. Having a deep belief in your ability to make a difference is crucial. More than talents or theories, this belief can drive significant impact. Your mindset plays a key role in achieving your goals.
  3. Before diving into productivity tips or success habits, it's important to address your beliefs and mindset. It may not be simple to change, but having a positive self-image can be essential for making a meaningful impact.

The Common Consent Argument for Hinduism

Going Awol • 179 implied HN points • 15 May 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Belief Gods
  1. When many people agree on something, it can provide some evidence for its truth, although not definitive proof.
  2. Widespread belief in God can be seen as some evidence for theism because it might indicate God would want people to believe in him for a relationship.
  3. Common consent reasoning supports animism more than monotheism, and favors Hinduism due to the broad belief in a High God, subordinate deities, and nature spirits.

Is God Off-duty?

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 171 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Doubt Belief God Religion
  1. God's presence can feel distant, especially in tough times. Many people struggle to understand why bad things happen when God is supposed to be watching over us.
  2. Faith can be challenging when people see injustice in the world. It leads to doubts about whether God is really in control or even paying attention.
  3. It's okay to question and express doubts about God. Many believers go through phases of uncertainty, which is a normal part of their spiritual journey.

Definitely, Insha'allah, Or How I Learned to Love Uncertainty

Caravanserai with Samantha Childress • 530 implied HN points • 19 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Practice Uncertainty Acceptance
  1. In uncertain situations, embrace unpredictability and find empowerment in accepting the unknown.
  2. The phrase 'Insha'allah' in Egypt reflects a cultural attitude of polite noncommitment and acknowledgement of life's unpredictability.
  3. Living in a place like Cairo, where randomness reigns, teaches the value of surrendering to chaos and finding happiness in uncertainty.

In Defense of Repression

Litverse • 379 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Identity Psychology Meaning Belief Existentialism
  1. Our cells constantly die and renew, questioning our identity continuity - Are we the same from day to day?
  2. Around 20% of Americans receive mental health treatment, with generational differences in therapy acceptance.
  3. Repression can be seen as a means to connect to a greater meaning beyond the self and as a tool for survival.

Beyond Busyness (audio)

The Joyous Struggle • 158 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Belief Prayer Philosophy Spiritual growth Meditation
  1. The post discusses the concept of busyness as a dubious status claim and why time feels to pass quicker as one ages.
  2. There is a reflection on how two Harry Potter films led to thinking about Gaza, along with a positive outlook on the Perspectiva antidebate.
  3. The post includes a reading of 'Beannacht' by John O'Donohue as an antidote to late January blues.