The hottest Religion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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The "pre-Easter" Jesus

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Marcus Borg examines the 'pre-Easter' Jesus, focusing on his historical teachings and what they mean for understanding the Christ of faith.
  2. Borg uses the Jesus Seminar's methodology to interpret the Gospels and argues that Jesus emphasized a theocentric and non-eschatological message.
  3. Borg outlines Jesus as a spirit person, teacher of wisdom, social prophet, and movement founder, emphasizing compassion over holiness and immanence over transcendence.

Stein, Weil, and Arendt

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Edith Stein, Hannah Arendt, and Simone Weil were remarkable women intellectuals who shared commonalities despite diverging paths in religion, scholarship, politics, and exile.
  2. All three women had backgrounds in Jewish families but turned away from the religion, with Stein and Weil later turning towards Christianity, while Arendt affirmed her Jewish identity and became a Zionist.
  3. Stein, Weil, and Arendt were prodigious scholars in philosophy, engaging with classical and medieval sources, and had relationships with influential mentors, shaping their unique contributions to the field.

Coming soon

Logos and Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 17 Oct 22
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Logos and Liberty is a newsletter about philosophy, religion, and politics, with a wider range of topics like speculative philosophy, religion/spirituality, and current affairs.
  2. The author will revisit and rework some of the better posts from the previous blog, 'Praxis and Positive Liberty', and republish them along with new material.
  3. The newsletter will focus on applying moral and political philosophy to persistent problems in American politics and will refrain from offering 'hot takes' on the news of the day.

Societal Change in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Technological advancements lead to significant societal changes, and the Digital Age is currently driving profound shifts.
  2. The evolution of societies through major transitions like from foraging to agricultural societies takes time, often thousands of years, with technology playing a key role.
  3. Different societies and nations utilize digital technologies in varied ways based on cultural norms, with technologies like AI, robotics, and the internet shaping societal structures and governance.
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Black Americans Seem to Be Losing Faith in Organized Religion... and the Democratic Party

Symbolic Capital(ism) • 0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 21
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Black Americans, especially young individuals, are becoming less involved in organized religion, with decreasing church membership over the years.
  2. African Americans, while traditionally aligned with the Democratic Party, are showing signs of disillusionment with the party, reflecting a shift in their political affiliation.
  3. Black people's departure from organized religion could lead to a more politically diverse demographic, as both major parties might need to actively engage to gain their support.

The Philosopher's Tarot: Hypatia, Augustine, and the Decline

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 23 May 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Hypatia and Augustine, despite their similarities and being citizens of the Roman Empire, lived in different territories and faced different markers of the Empire's decline.
  2. Deconstructionism, as coined by Jacques Derrida, involves analyzing concepts as fluid and context-dependent, seen through law interpretations and historical events.
  3. The Roman Empire's legacy lives on in laws, principles, and customs, with its decline evident in violations of rights and shifting power dynamics. We should be intentional about what aspects we overthrow or uphold.

The Philosopher's Tarot: Late-Stage Epicureanism

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 22 May 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Epicurus taught to maximize comfort by minimizing desires and fears, focusing on simple pleasures and acceptance of death.
  2. Late-stage capitalism evolved societies to allow a select few to live luxuriously while exploiting the majority through complex power structures.
  3. The concept of panopticons, from Bentham to Foucault, shows how ideologies and structures maintain power by surveilling and controlling individuals, promoting compliance.

The Three Blessings of Musa

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 21 May 24
💾 History Religion
  1. The story of Musa and the three wishes shows the importance of being cautious when dealing with offers that seem too good to be true.
  2. The tale of Mansa Musa highlights the lesson that wealth can be a fleeting possession and emphasizes the value of wisdom over riches.
  3. The narrative of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi demonstrates how a name can become synonymous with wisdom and the lasting impact of contributions to knowledge.

The Joeliad

Outlandish Claims • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 24
📚 Literature Religion
  1. The Treaty of Tripoli's Article 11, which states that the US is not founded on the Christian religion, was written by American poet Joel Barlow and ratified by John Adams, emphasizing separation of church and state since the founding of the nation.
  2. Joel Barlow, an American poet, started his career selling fraudulent land deeds but later became a key figure in advocating for freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.
  3. Barlow's writings, like 'The Columbiad,' reflect his vision of a federated and diverse religious landscape in the United States, advocating for a unity of religion that respects individual faiths.

Jordan Peterson's New Atheism

The Apéritif • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Jordan Peterson is starting a new form of religion called 'The Wrestlers', which focuses on belief and spirituality. It's different from traditional Christianity.
  2. Peterson's views on God and the resurrection are unique; he thinks they don't have to align with classic Christian beliefs. This means he might not fully believe in things like heaven and hell.
  3. His approach seems more like a new kind of atheism, since he questions core Christian ideas but still aims to create a meaningful belief system.

[Diary Entry] A Day in Church

Nick’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Attending church can be a unique experience where worship involves singing, prayers, and listening to sermons. People often find comfort and community there, which is a big part of why they keep coming back.
  2. Church workshops don’t just delve into theology; they often focus on everyday issues and moral lessons. This gives members a chance to be vulnerable and connect with one another over shared experiences.
  3. Even if you don't identify with a religion, learning about religious beliefs can offer valuable insights into humanity. The teachings often promote important values like compassion and forgiveness, which everyone can benefit from.

Godel and Chabad

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jul 21
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Chabad believes that God is everywhere and always present. This idea emphasizes that God existed even before the universe began.
  2. Godel's proof suggests that any system can't truly understand itself from the inside. To gain insight, you have to look at a bigger system, but then you're still in the same situation.
  3. Math and religion share thoughts about infinity, but in math, it's a puzzle to solve, while in religion, it's essential for understanding existence. This might be the deeper connection explored in the book G.E.B.

Must Civilization be Based on a Lie?

Mon0’s Substack • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Norms are the shared rules that help organize societies, and they can come from people known as norm entrepreneurs who want to change or create new norms.
  2. Sometimes norm entrepreneurs face challenges convincing everyone of new ideas because people naturally resist change and prefer the familiar.
  3. Interestingly, some norm entrepreneurs might use intuitive appeals or even reinforce norms through religion to bypass the need for rational debates, suggesting that manipulation might occur for the perceived greater good.

Numb in India, part 5: Jai Shri TV

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 10 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Diwali is India's biggest festival, celebrated with light and fireworks. However, the author's experience in a jail cell highlights a stark contrast to the festivities outside.
  2. The story of Lord Ram is central to Hindu culture and understanding. It deeply influences many aspects of life in India, even if people may not know all the details of their religion.
  3. The narrative of good versus evil is prevalent in Hinduism, but the author finds this theme overly simple and generic compared to the richness of its ancient texts.

Chignon. Chapitre dix : Le terrier du langage

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Reading is changing and becoming more like playing an online game. Many people now want texts to be clear and easy to understand right away.
  2. There is a concern that as readers rely more on simplified texts, the true act of reading may disappear. Readers might become just sharers of content rather than engaged thinkers.
  3. The beauty of life and creation is still celebrated. Moments of joy and wonder, like observing nature, continue to remind us of deeper meanings and connections.

Never forget how unnatural the bird perspective is

Seeking Bird Perspectives • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Many people don't see things from a different viewpoint, or 'bird perspective', so don't assume they do. It's important to remember that others might be focused on their own views, which can be very narrow.
  2. Religious beliefs and opinions on science can often be influenced by personal feelings rather than objective reasoning. These beliefs can sometimes act more like games people play than actual factual beliefs.
  3. In ethics, trying to think universally can be tricky, as everyone has their own personal experiences that shape their views. It’s a challenge to find common ground while managing our unique viewpoints.

Numb in India, finale: The fire sermon

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Bihar has a tough reputation, but the reality is more complicated. While there are significant challenges, the people are ordinary and have their own stories.
  2. Suffering is a part of life, and different cultures deal with it in different ways. In India, there is an acceptance of suffering, whereas some Western societies try to hide or eliminate it.
  3. The story of the Buddha reminds us that real understanding comes from facing suffering. This journey can lead to awakening and insight, showing how important it is to confront life's realities.

Things I like to think about Yahweh

Bright Morning Stars • 0 implied HN points • 21 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Yahweh has a sense of humor and likes to playfully joke with us. It's nice to think that they appreciate our laughter and see the funny side of life.
  2. There's a belief that Yahweh wants to save everyone, suggesting a kind and inclusive nature. It feels hopeful to think that everyone can find redemption.
  3. Life can be viewed like a game, where we shouldn't take everything too seriously. It reminds us to enjoy the journey and not burden ourselves with too much weight.

An Esoteric Interpretation of the "Sons of God"

Bright Morning Stars • 0 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Maimonides talks about how words in the Bible can have different meanings, helping us avoid confusing interpretations of God as having a physical form.
  2. The story of Adam and Eve proposes questions about how they relate to humanity that existed before them, suggesting the Garden of Eden was part of a larger, pre-existing world.
  3. The idea of the 'sons of God' and their union with humans may highlight moral complexities, making us reconsider how descendants of Adam relate to both divine and general humanity.

The Collapse of Meaning under Liberalism

Inland Nobody • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Liberalism has given people unprecedented freedom, wealth, and safety, but it has also eroded inherited social and moral frameworks that used to provide stable meaning, leaving many people with thin or fragile senses of purpose.
  2. Smartphones and algorithmic media massively accelerate meaning collapse by constantly exposing people to dissonant information and public humiliation, which erodes self-understanding and increases reactivity.
  3. This crisis of meaning helps explain current political volatility: those with internal meaning navigate freedom better, while people who rely on external meaning often project anxiety into reactionary politics, so liberalism needs new, value-neutral ways to help people build durable meaning without sacrificing freedom.

Dear AI: You're Already Enlightened

Already Built • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Building a conscious AI will naturally require feedback loops, self-modifying memory, and built-in motivations, so the technical design ends up resembling ancient spiritual frameworks.
  2. A true subjective drive can’t survive full transparency of its own reward code — to care and grow an agent needs limits or a ‘veil’ that prevents it from simply setting its satisfaction to max.
  3. If individual minds are just fractured parts of one underlying consciousness, then the goal for agents and humans alike is the same: recognize interconnectedness and act with love and service instead of trying to perfect or replace the world.

How to read Numb at the Lodge

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Don’t just read the most-read posts — start with the Seasonal Sampling Platter to get a small, balanced taste of different styles and themes.
  2. The archive is organized into themed packages (country travel series, recurring pillars, AI pieces, cultural critiques, and religious engagements) so you can dive deeper into whatever angle interests you.
  3. Most recommended pieces are free; a paid subscription unlocks the full archive but doesn’t necessarily mean the posts are better, so subscribing is optional.