The hottest Religion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Buried Treasures

The Upheaval • 186 implied HN points • 23 Feb 23
📚 Literature Religion
  1. Subscribers often prefer new content over reading old archives.
  2. Quality older material from the archives can still be interesting and relevant.
  3. Exploring older posts can offer valuable insights and perspectives.

Two podcasts and some jellyfish

The Abbey of Misrule • 171 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
🎙 Podcasts Religion
  1. The post mentions two recent podcasts by the author with interesting conversations on history, religion, and Christianity.
  2. A subscriber's creative designs inspired by the author's essay on jellyfish are highlighted as a modern-day acknowledgment and symbol.
  3. The text reflects on the current shift away from disenchanted modernity towards something bigger, urging readers to be prepared to navigate change.

A response to Michael Huemer on why progressives like Islam

The Good blog • 39 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Religion
  1. Many progressives oppose Islamophobia because they see it as a form of prejudice against outsiders in society. They believe it's important for all groups, including Muslims, to be treated fairly and equally.
  2. Critics might argue against certain religious practices, but the goal should be to allow diverse beliefs without discrimination. The focus should be on ensuring everyone can participate in society without facing exclusion based on their religion.
  3. Religious views can be strongly held and difficult to change, much like race or sexuality. In a liberal society, people should be allowed to hold their beliefs, as long as they respect the rules of public life.

Why?

Slack Tide by Matt Labash • 163 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. One's faith and understanding of God can be complex and personal.
  2. Religious beliefs may not always align with traditional religious practices or representations.
  3. Questions about religion and ethics can lead to deep philosophical discussions.

The Priest in the Arena

Breaking Smart • 165 implied HN points • 01 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. The man in the arena archetype involves individuals taking risks and making decisions in challenging situations, with potential for great rewards or losses.
  2. Priests in the arena engage in theocratic capture campaigns, seeking to wield unaccountable authority based on supposed privileged knowledge.
  3. Identifying and stopping theocratic capture involves recognizing the influence of cults that demand unquestioning deference and monopolize conversations and institutions.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Apprentice, Partner, Mentor, Monk

Vic's Verdict • 1 implied HN point • 19 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Duty is an active form of love that pulls people into four archetypal callings—apprentice (serving elders), mentor (serving dependents), partner (serving peers), and monk (serving strangers).
  2. How you best serve others depends on your toolkit—body, mind, heart, or soul—and each mode has strengths and risks if overused, from burnout to emotional vampirism or authoritarianism.
  3. You must regularly check your motives to tell angelic duty from its selfish impostors, because true duty is a way of being beyond a job and needs to be balanced with personal desires.

Madness, Fire, and Prophecy

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 31 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The current state of the world feels chaotic, with misinformation spreading and leaders making false claims. This can create confusion and danger during crises.
  2. Change is happening, and many believe it’s a transformational time. It's an opportunity to discover deeper truths and connect more with ourselves and each other.
  3. Understanding that we are all part of a larger consciousness can help us move past ego and separation. Recognizing our unity might lead to a more compassionate and loving world.

The Comet King From Unsong Is Kanye West

Skunk Ledger • 143 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The concept of the Comet King from Unsong being compared to Kanye West is explored, drawing parallels between their stories and personas.
  2. Kanye West's album 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is analyzed in relation to the Comet King's journey in Unsong, showing similarities in themes and character arcs.
  3. Symbolism and deeper meanings are uncovered in the comparison, revealing kabbalistic connections and the merging of good and evil through the characters of Unsong and Kanye West.

Thoughts on Therapy

The Carousel • 33 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Religion
  1. Therapy often feels repetitive and doesn't lead to real solutions. It can sometimes feel like you're just getting vague compliments without any real help.
  2. Career coaching can actually be more useful than traditional therapy. It focuses on specific goals and practical improvements in your life.
  3. Organized religion is seen as a deeper, more meaningful practice than therapy. It provides structure and purpose that therapy lacks.

Accused

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 74 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The author has been accused of Zionism, considered by some as a punishable offense.
  2. The author mentions being put on lists and facing threats due to the accusation of Zionism.
  3. To access the full post and archives, readers can start a 7-day free trial of Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky.

How to Radicalize a Church (in One Easy Step)

Think Future • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. To radicalize a person or church, consistently promote fear with phrases like "The wolf is at the door."
  2. There are strategies to turn a religious tradition toxic, detailed in the free e-book "Combat Theology: How to Weaponize and De-Weaponize a Religion."
  3. Even though de-weaponizing a religion is difficult, historical examples show even faith-based terrorists can change, like two of Jesus' twelve disciples.

Vayakhel; Pekudei; Shabbos Mevarchim 2023

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The first mitzvah in the Torah involves tracking time using the lunar calendar, symbolizing change and renewal.
  2. Having the right attitude and putting your heart into your actions is crucial for success.
  3. Even taboo topics, like intimacy and desire, can be elevated into sacred aspects of life when approached with intent and purpose.

✨🔍 Ki Sisa 2023

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Numbers matter, but individuals are valuable - remember to treat each person as unique and important.
  2. Embrace brokenness and setbacks; they can be integrated into growth and progress, just like the broken tablets were stored alongside the whole ones.
  3. Hope remains essential in uncertainty - don't accept fate without taking a stand and acting to shape the outcome.

The Fifth and Sixth Step of the Transformation of Food, and the Question of Exioëhary

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 19 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Visualizing and imagination are linked to the 'cerebellum' in Gurdjieff's teachings, with interpretations aligning with his writings.
  2. The substances of the cerebellum are described as 'the energy of imagination' and 'the true substance of visualization' that can have real effects.
  3. Centre #4 is seen to hold the potential for fully developed Formal Logic, associated with 'mentation by form' and 'reasoning by ideas'.

Two Approaches to Truth

Muslim Musings • 19 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. There are two contrasting approaches to truth in the post-modern world: one sees truth as good and absolute, leading to progress and justice, while the other sees 'truth' as evil and relative, valuing skepticism and collaboration.
  2. The idea of embracing absolute truth or being skeptical about truth impacts how individuals view conflicts between different ideologies. One approach aims for reconciliation and common ground, while the other perceives dogmatic beliefs as dangerous.
  3. In the context of Islam, the Quran emphasizes the importance of absolute conviction in God and rejects the idea of finding common ground with opposing beliefs. The focus is on upholding divine truth and carrying the Islamic system to the world.

Is Trump Literally the Antichrist?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 24 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Religion
  1. There's a lot of strange and unsettling events happening in politics right now. People are questioning how these events might relate to bigger themes like the apocalypse.
  2. Some argue that figures like Trump symbolize the Antichrist due to their behavior and rhetoric. This idea connects to historical and biblical themes of deception and chaos.
  3. The concept of the apocalypse can be viewed as a transformative stage. It suggests that the upheaval we see could lead to a new understanding or a better future for humanity.

Recs III

Nice Try • 59 implied HN points • 13 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Using randomness can make discovering new music fun and interesting. By choosing albums randomly, you can explore various genres that you might not usually listen to.
  2. Reading big books slowly lets you enjoy them more. Taking your time with a classic novel, like 'Middlemarch', can enhance the experience and lead to interesting conversations with others.
  3. Creating an edited version of the Bible for personal study can help grasp its important themes. It’s a unique way to understand the core stories across religions while making it easier to digest.

On The Loaded Word Spiral

Castalia • 39 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The word 'spiral' often has a negative vibe, suggesting someone is struggling or facing setbacks. But it might be more human to recognize that these tough moments can be part of life.
  2. Success is often celebrated, but there's value in reflecting on the past and being absorbed by our interests. This kind of deep thinking can lead to real growth.
  3. While many focus on happiness and success, there's beauty in the struggle and in the process of 'spiraling.' It's important to acknowledge that suffering can have meaning and purpose too.

Spencer Longo: TIME

Do Not Research • 39 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Religion
  1. The 'TIME' body of work by Spencer Longo visualizes millenarian anxieties through unconventional juxtapositions of text and images on old Time magazine spreads, reflecting on modern conspiratorial mindsets.
  2. The Sovereign Citizen movement includes groups like Moorish Sovereign Citizens, who reject US citizenship for alternative beliefs and create customized legal documentation with a Middle Eastern aesthetic.
  3. Cult systems like the Heaven's Gate utilized control tactics such as strict diets to maintain power over followers, leading to drastic actions like mass suicide in pursuit of spiritual ascension.

Only Read if You Want to Refrain From Global Racism and Nuclear Annihilation, and Seek a New Religion

The False Consensus Effect • 19 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The post delves deep into geopolitics, global racism, and nuclear threats, urging readers to imagine the consequences of such conflicts.
  2. It discusses a new perspective on religion, introducing the concept of 'God-Nuclear' as a force that transcends traditional beliefs and emphasizes the power of nuclear weaponry.
  3. The text invites reflection on spirituality and human existence in the face of potential global annihilation, encouraging a focus on love, compassion, and making the most out of life.

The Spirit of the Empire and the Manufacturing of Tyrant-Slaves

Tessa Fights Robots • 24 implied HN points • 19 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. We are not slaves, but instead are loved and supported by our ancestors. It’s important to remember that we’re meant for joy, not just pain.
  2. The pain from our ancestors can lead people to suppress their true selves. Many parents, trying to protect their children, unintentionally continue this cycle by promoting fear of pursuing dreams.
  3. True freedom starts from within. We must choose not to engage with negative patterns in our lives and embrace our natural state of being free and joyful.

Curation Over Creation

What Is Called Thinking? • 101 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. In a world where AI can generate content, the value is in curating and arranging information.
  2. The importance of arrangement and curation in art, history, and literature is highlighted.
  3. Creating a meaningful life is about curating experiences and arranging them into an anthology.

Box #4

What Is Called Thinking? • 21 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Being outraged online seems to be popular, even though it's not a nice feeling. People share outrage more than any other emotion, which might say a lot about our current social media habits.
  2. Our minds focus on what we find important, similar to how certain AI models operate. This brings to light how rituals and habits can shape our thinking and keep what matters most in our attention.
  3. There's a growing recognition that we all have a perspective on the future, even if we don't realize it. Discussions about technology and its impact hint at deeper societal issues that we need to consider.

The Cult of the Ellipse

Skunk Ledger • 92 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
📚 Literature Religion
  1. The Cult of the Ellipse involves rituals and ceremonies passed down through generations.
  2. The Sacrament influences societal norms and moral behavior over fifty-two-year epochs.
  3. Volunteering for the Sacrament is viewed as a mark of moral character and high integrity.

Notre-Dame

The Cosmopolitan Globalist • 24 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral was a shocking event that led to a crowd gathering in disbelief as the steeple fell.
  2. President Macron's promise to rebuild Notre-Dame sparked mixed reactions, but plans for a faithful restoration were ultimately confirmed.
  3. The consecration ceremony revealed a beautifully restored interior, showcasing the original colors and design of the cathedral, symbolizing a new beginning.

Agency, structure, love and moralism

Philosophy bear • 71 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. People have agency and everyone exercises it, it's just a question of where they choose to use it.
  2. Moralism on the left involves substituting moral demands and posturing for taking agency for stated values.
  3. The left's lack of structure-building inhibits collective action and individual agency in pursuing values.

"Totalitarian Jesus" and the New Obscurantism

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 12 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Some people feel really stressed about current politics and the future. It's making them think deeply about what's happening in the world.
  2. There are concerns that culture and spirituality are in danger from negative forces in society. Many believe we need to pay attention to these threats.
  3. Dreaming about worse scenarios, like concentration camps, shows how intense and fearful these feelings about the future can be.

Turtles All The Way Down

Polymathic Being • 54 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. In science, we often reach a point where we must make a statement of faith or accept an axiom to progress, similar to the concept of 'Turtles All the Way Down.'
  2. The idea of infinite regress, like 'Turtles All the Way Down,' highlights the need for statements of faith in science to avoid getting lost in an endless loop of explanations.
  3. Recognizing and accepting statements of faith, axioms, or first principles is crucial for progress in our complex world, as long as we prevent them from turning into rigid religious beliefs.

"Woke" Is Not The New Reformation

Reactionary Feminist • 24 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Wokeness shouldn't be seen as a new movement but rather as an outdated belief system. It's stuck in the past and isn't really helping people today.
  2. A genuine new Reformation is on the way that will challenge wokeness and bring back useful truths, both scientific and spiritual. This shift aims to improve society instead of causing division.
  3. Several recent books highlight these ideas and show that many smart thinkers agree that a significant change in thought is coming soon.

Habemus Papam!

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 10 implied HN points • 15 May 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. The recent election of Pope Leo XIV surprised many, showing a blend of progressive and conservative views. He focuses on climate change and immigration but holds traditional views on gender issues.
  2. The Catholic Church represents universal values, but it faces internal disagreements on social issues like LGBT rights and economic policies. Its position appears to be shifting towards more left-leaning economics to regain lost followers.
  3. Right-wing politics seem to increasingly distrust social institutions, while left-leaning politics embrace universal moral values. This shift has the potential to further align organized religion with left-wing ideals in the future.