The hottest Religion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

The Monthly Salon: October

The Abbey of Misrule • 199 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The author recently gave a talk called 'Against Christian Civilisation', which is available as a recording. It's good to share ideas and thoughts with others.
  2. There's a monthly open house for readers to discuss any topics they like, encouraging free expression and friendly debate.
  3. The author emphasizes maintaining good manners and respect in discussions, similar to how people should act in real-life conversations.

Reincarnation Sounds Awesome

Polymathic Being • 61 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Reincarnation offers a chance to learn and grow through different lives. It can help us see challenges as opportunities for personal development.
  2. The idea of reincarnation reshapes how we view our existence, suggesting that life isn't just about a single chance but a continuous journey of improvement.
  3. Many religions aim to inspire people to become better individuals, and reincarnation aligns with this goal by giving us multiple opportunities to learn from our experiences.

Holy Land

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 559 implied HN points • 12 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The Holy Land is a culturally and historically rich region that holds significance for multiple religions.
  2. The Holy Land carries great narrative weight due to its role in shaping Western mythology.
  3. The modern-day conflicts in the Holy Land have a complex and implausible backstory that draws attention from around the world.

Jerusalem

backstory • 387 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. Jerusalem is a complex city with deep historical, cultural, and political tensions.
  2. The experiences of individuals in Jerusalem reflect the ongoing conflicts and challenges in the region.
  3. The city's diversity is evident in encounters with different groups and their varied perspectives and experiences.
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Techno-Occult Sex Magic in Contemporary Culture

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 12 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Contemporary hyper-sexualized pop culture and platforms like OnlyFans function as a kind of "techno-occult" ritual, using sexualized, cyborg imagery to degrade the feminine and push people toward a lower, machine-like condition.
  2. Some esoteric readings of Revelation and Steiner frame history as a bifurcation: humanity is sorting into two streams. One stream moves toward spiritual integration and divine development, while the other devolves into material, unconscious, or regressive states.
  3. The feminine is viewed as the primary bridge between worlds and splits into two poles: the fallen "Whore" (debased, sexualized, and increasingly cyborg-like) and the purified Sophia who undergoes purification and births the new spiritual impulse.

The Wisdom of Yoram Hazony

Kvetch • 45 implied HN points • 03 Aug 25
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Yoram Hazony emphasizes the importance of family and God in shaping a strong community. He believes that our obligations to these entities form the core of social and political life.
  2. He argues against the idea that society can be neutral or that we can choose our loyalties freely. According to Hazony, many of our commitments, like family and nation, are inherited and essential for a stable society.
  3. Hazony highlights that politics can be messy and sometimes requires difficult choices, including violence, to protect a community. He believes having a shared moral compass rooted in faith is crucial for guiding these tough decisions.

Links to Consider, 3/14

In My Tribe • 349 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Reading is a skill that needs practice; reading long-form text is important for success in education and work.
  2. There's a need to understand trade-offs in policy-making; some argue for stronger social norms against alcohol and drug use.
  3. The shift towards morality and self-discipline in religions coincided with an increase in affluence and a focus on delayed gratification.

Why Cynics Were Dogs

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 18 May 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Different beings perceive the world differently based on their 'umwelt', which shapes their unique view of reality.
  2. Diogenes, a philosopher, emphasized the interconnectedness of all matter and challenged the concept of intrinsic essence.
  3. Dogs, considered cynics, navigate the world primarily through scent, highlighting a continuous reasoning method distinct from discrete human reasoning.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 2

Weekly Wisdom • 99 implied HN points • 11 May 23
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. The project aims to explore the convergence and divergence of different traditions and schools of thought to understand cultural breadth.
  2. Traditional systems of thought that have endured for centuries hold value and merit consideration alongside modern perspectives.
  3. Comparative soteriology analyzes the ideals and aims of various religious, spiritual, and philosophical traditions, offering insights into different paths to attainment.

Undefeated

Charles Eisenstein • 9 implied HN points • 19 Dec 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Losing youthful ideals doesn’t mean those ideals were wrong; feeling grief or disappointment about a life that didn’t happen is normal and doesn’t mean you’re defeated.
  2. The quiet, unpaid work of caregiving—raising and tending children and grandchildren—actually shapes the future and matters deeply even if it brings no money or praise.
  3. Big visible leadership isn’t enough; true transformation needs healing of the small, everyday relationships and countless acts of love that slowly pull the future toward a better possibility.

Marxism, Alcohol, and God

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 98 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Belief in eternal truths, such as individual autonomy and protection from coercion, is paramount.
  2. Facing reality and accepting personal responsibility are crucial for overcoming addiction and understanding societal deceptions.
  3. Marxism is criticized for denying reality, seeking power over truth, and disregarding eternal truths, leading to societal manipulation.

Discriminating Bliss

The Joyous Struggle • 98 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The author reflects on a personal experience of adopting a spiritual name, Vivekananda, despite living a different lifestyle, to connect with God and bridge cultural experiences.
  2. The significance of the author's spiritual name, Vivekananda, is tied to aspirations of speaking with precision and intellect in service of higher purposes, reflecting the potential for growth and fulfillment.
  3. The author shares details of a book chapter they co-edited and reflects on their past visit to India, highlighting the journey towards self-discovery and exploration of new ideas.

Religion of today

Wood From Eden • 576 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. People often believe in things just because many others do, like in a religious way
  2. There are different perspectives on climate change, with debates on data interpretation and policy urgency
  3. It's crucial to give attention to various potential disasters, not just focus on a single issue like carbon dioxide emissions

The Lost Children of Scientology

Journal of Free Black Thought • 13 implied HN points • 16 Nov 25
📚 Literature Religion
  1. The author shares memories of being raised in a difficult environment called The Baby Factory, where many infants suffered from neglect and poor conditions. It was a challenging start to life, surrounded by chaos and discomfort.
  2. Growing up within the Scientology movement, the author felt he was seen as property rather than as a person. The movement's strict rules meant that family ties were often severed, leaving children feeling isolated and dispensable.
  3. Despite the hardships, the author finds a sense of purpose in wanting to connect with his mother and the idea of helping others. This hope for adventure gave him a glimpse of a future beyond his difficult upbringing.

Good Luck / episode six

Nice Try • 59 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Cults can have a strange way of influencing people. It's important to be aware of how they operate.
  2. Trust your instincts when something feels off. If a situation makes you uncomfortable, it's okay to walk away.
  3. Learning about different cultures and backgrounds can give you a fresh perspective. We can all benefit from understanding each other better.

Down the wormhole...

aproposofnothing • 58 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Parasites like Toxoplasma gondii can cause neurological issues and schizophrenia in humans, so it's important to fight off worms.
  2. Myths of heroes battling worms or serpents are prevalent in various cultures, symbolizing order vs chaos and death.
  3. Serpents and worms have deep mythological significance, tying into ancient civilizations, biblical stories, and even symbolizing foresight and health.

Get Wise Or Die Trying, Part 1

Weekly Wisdom • 79 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The ultimate aim of human life can be seen as skillfully navigating complexity
  2. Cooperative social development is crucial for solving survival challenges at individual and cultural levels
  3. Spiritual wisdom and enlightenment are emphasized as a path to transcend death and find true fulfillment

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part IV: The Axe Man

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Religion
  1. The linguistic relationship between the words for 'hammer' and 'stone' in Germanic languages is surprisingly close, suggesting an early association between concepts and tools like axes and hammers.
  2. The early Germanic thunder god may have carried an array of weapons, including axes, clubs, hammers, and thunderstones, which over time converged into the iconic image of Thor's hammer.
  3. Related mythologies from regions like Finland, the Baltic, and Slavic cultures show strong similarities to the Norse thunder god Thor, often wielding axes and other weapons, indicating possible shared traditions or exchanges of ideas over time.

It's Only Pumpkin Pie That's Burning

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The average person today has more limbs than ever before, due to advancements in medical care and prosthetics.
  2. Historical parallels can show progress, even when history seems to repeat itself. Improvement can be seen in the present.
  3. It's important to celebrate both past progress and potential for future improvements, balancing gratitude with a focus on areas for growth.

Group Narcissism

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 429 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The concept of group narcissism can explain conflicts within society where groups exaggerate their own virtues and respond disproportionately when threatened.
  2. Vicarious group narcissism occurs when a group cannot exhibit its own narcissism, so it projects this onto another group, creating additional issues.
  3. Maintaining civility in a diverse society requires allowing old ethnic and religious bonds to fade, but current conflicts globally suggest these bonds are being strengthened, leading to rising group narcissism and vicarious group narcissism.

The Mushroom Santa: The Fungal Folklore of Old St. Nick 🎅🎄

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The story of Santa Claus may have been inspired by the psychedelic Amanita muscaria mushrooms and the practices of Siberian shamans.
  2. There are compelling similarities between Santa and ancient Siberian shamanic traditions, such as the use of red and white attire, flying reindeer, and the chimney connection.
  3. The Christmas holiday has evolved over time, incorporating elements from different cultures and traditions like replacing and incorporating elements from earlier Roman holidays.

Rise of Civilization, Part I

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💾 History Religion
  1. Humans scaled society to manage larger groups through cultural evolution, harnessing collective brain power.
  2. Living under the 'gossip trap' limited social organization, fostering a focus on reputation management over innovation.
  3. The rise of Western civilization was influenced by factors like Church initiatives, shifting societal foundations towards commerce, education, and meritocracy.

Sympathetic Magic

The Abbey of Misrule • 319 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. At wells in Ireland, like St Ita's well, a practice of 'sympathetic magic' takes place where objects of the sick are brought for healing, showing a blending of ancient magical traditions with Christianity.
  2. This 'sympathetic magic' practice involves tying items like socks, handkerchiefs, and shirts to crosses or trees near the well in hopes of a saint's healing power.
  3. The story of St Ita and the lessons she imparted - faith, simplicity, and love - are tied to the traditions surrounding the well, emphasizing spiritual values.

Latinos Are Flocking to Evangelical Christianity

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Latino voters are shifting rightward, with a recent poll showing Donald Trump leading Joe Biden among them, impacting future voting patterns.
  2. The Latino population is increasingly driving America's evangelical movement, with projections indicating that by 2030, half of U.S. Latinos will identify as Protestant evangelicals.
  3. Latino immigrants are turning to evangelical churches for support and upward mobility, with the promise of economic advancement and a more conservative doctrine appealing to many.

What comes after?

Secretum Secretorum • 580 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Religion
  1. The future might hold a biosphere of minds interconnected like a rainforest.
  2. Imagining what comes after minds can challenge our current understanding.
  3. Exploring 'What comes after...' questions can push the limits of our imagination.

Defending Revelation

What Is Called Thinking? • 50 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Religion offers a way for people to find meaning and morality, even if they aren't fully rational thinkers. It's not just about science or pure reason; it's about learning and growing through community and traditions.
  2. Philosophers who think reason alone can guide humanity miss that we all need help in understanding ethics and morality. Revelation helps guide us and keeps society connected.
  3. Even if science could come back without religion, the deep insights from revelation are essential for being truly human. It's not just about knowledge; it's about fostering humanity's good qualities.

Give despair a chance

Wrong Side of History • 322 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. A Conservative Member of Parliament in London decided not to run for re-election due to threats from violent extremists.
  2. There have been several anti-Semitic incidents in London, including arson attacks, assaults, and threats to Jewish individuals.
  3. Despite these incidents, London is generally a safe city, but there are areas with security concerns.

Evangelical Christianity is a rape cult

Sex and the State • 46 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Many powerful men in Evangelical Christianity face serious accusations of abuse, yet the culture often protects them instead of the victims. This shows a big problem with accountability.
  2. Educational discussions about sex and consent can reduce rates of sexual abuse. Societies should stop stigmatizing sex to help create a safer environment for everyone.
  3. The teachings in some religious settings can create an atmosphere that encourages silence around abuse, making it harder for victims to speak out and get help. It's important to challenge these harmful narratives.

Silent Mystery

The Abbey of Misrule • 336 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Religion
  1. The writer explores a mysterious holy well in County Galway, Ireland, with unique features and folklore.
  2. Despite thorough research, little information is available about the well's history, saint, or significance.
  3. Local residents are tight-lipped about the well, adding to its air of secrecy and intrigue.

The Meaning of Christmas (w/ Rev. Munther Isaac) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 122 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The story of Christmas is deeply rooted in struggle and oppression. For those in Palestine, the themes of refugees and tyranny resonate strongly with the Christmas narrative.
  2. Everyone should be seen as a neighbor, and we must show compassion to all, not just those who are like us. The message of the Good Samaritan challenges us to break down the barriers we create.
  3. Christianity calls for solidarity with the oppressed. Faith should inspire action to support human rights and justice rather than maintaining silence or neutrality in the face of conflict.

Transhumanism does not require immortality

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Transhumanism does not require immortality, but it is compatible with it
  2. Different types of immortality exist, such as biological immortality, superimmortality, and hyperimmortality
  3. Avoiding the term 'immortality' in transhumanism can help prevent negative connotations and encourage a focus on defeating aging and biological death

Norse vs. Germanic

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 59 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Germanic refers to language, culture, and religion, not just bloodlines, race, or ethnicity.
  2. Norse, a subset of Germanic, is a term for medieval Scandinavian speakers of North-Germanic languages.
  3. Germanic mythology shares similarities with other Indo-European traditions, like the thundergod motif, but divergences in stories can lead to variations in how gods are perceived.

Morocco Makes World Cup History, Again

Pen>Sword • 79 implied HN points • 03 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Religion
  1. Moroccan women's football team made World Cup history by advancing to knockout stages despite odds
  2. Nouhaila Benzina became the first footballer to wear a hijab in the World Cup, breaking a significant barrier
  3. Moroccan women's team defied expectations and beat Columbia, continuing to make history with their football prowess

Why does it seem like there are two completely different versions of Christianity in the United States?

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. There are two different versions of Christianity in the U.S.: Knights and Gardeners, based on different worldviews and beliefs about the universe.
  2. Knights see the universe as a cosmic struggle between good and evil, while Gardeners view it as a cosmic garden where all living things should be nurtured.
  3. Identifying whether someone is a Knight or Gardener can help forecast their behavior in various aspects of life, including relationships, conflict resolution, and soul matters.

Lost Tarot Cards

Autoscriptorium • 79 implied HN points • 08 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The post discusses lost tarot cards and their symbolic meanings like measurement, observation, and secret knowledge.
  2. Each tarot card represents different concepts like foundations, structure, and perfect love.
  3. The tarot cards mentioned in the post evoke unique themes such as dedication, asceticism, and preservation.

Heaven is Miller Time

Crackers & Grape Juice + • 78 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Heaven is described as a joyful party where everyone, regardless of their past, can come together and have a good time.
  2. The idea of Heaven being likened to 'Miller Time' symbolizes a time of celebration and inclusivity for all.
  3. Heaven is portrayed as a place of fun and enjoyment where judgment is replaced by a carefree atmosphere.