The hottest Religion Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Science Topics

This Week in Canada: Be Careful What You Say About God

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 505 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. Canada and Alberta struck a major federal-provincial energy deal to fast-track privately financed pipelines and build a huge carbon-capture project, aiming to make Canada an energy superpower and access Asian markets.
  2. The agreement is a grand bargain: Alberta gets pipeline access while Ottawa extracts commitments to deep emissions cuts, signaling an industrial transformation and energy transition.
  3. A proposed anti-hate bill could create legal risks for religious believers and chill speech about God, making people more cautious about what they say on matters of faith.

Leftism is a Parasite

The J. Burden Show • 2316 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Left and Right are modern terms originating from the French Revolution, representing different ideologies.
  2. The idea of political dualism, viewing left and right as equal opposite forces, is a mistaken belief.
  3. The left is described as a parasite due to its nature of releasing power through entropy, striving for equality through destruction of traditional hierarchies.

How Intellectuals Found God

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5958 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Many intellectuals, who once questioned or rejected God, are now finding faith. It's interesting to see a change in perspective among respected thinkers.
  2. One example is Matthew Crawford, who felt lost in his early life but experienced a spiritual transformation through personal connections and discussions about faith.
  3. The journey to finding God can often feel like a personal story of searching and discovery, rather than a simple acceptance of religious beliefs.
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The Bible Is on Trial in Europe. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 459 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
📰 News Religion
  1. A scholar warns Britain and parts of Europe may be sliding toward serious political breakdown, arguing the conditions for civil conflict could already be present.
  2. European courts are testing the line between hate‑speech rules and religious expression, with a high‑profile case asking whether quoting the Bible can be treated as a crime.
  3. U.S. politics and institutions are under strain from fast, controversial executive moves—military threats, pardons, immigration pauses, and court fights—fueling polarization and uncertainty.

Exploring the Knives Out Universe

Can We Still Govern? • 278 implied HN points • 26 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. The stories center kind, decent outsiders who get thrown into dangerous situations and are guided by Benoit Blanc as they face manipulative groups.
  2. The films criticize unearned privilege and toxic co-dependence, showing greedy, entitled people who exploit others and cling to status.
  3. Social media and performative politics warp motives and relationships, and the series contrasts that cynicism with themes of faith, grace, and genuine care.

On Pilgrimage with 20,000 Young Catholics

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1715 implied HN points • 26 Jul 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Many young Catholics are feeling a revival of interest in traditional practices and the Latin Mass. They find beauty and connection in these rituals.
  2. The pilgrimage to Chartres Cathedral is more than just a walk; it's a way for young people to seek something deeper and more meaningful in their lives.
  3. This trend shows that many young people are looking for ways to connect with their faith and community beyond the usual daily routines.

The Peculiar Institution, pt. 2

The Martyr Made Substack • 2044 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
💾 History Religion
  1. People in different eras have accepted practices that we would find morally abhorrent today.
  2. We should approach historical figures with humility, understanding they made decisions based on their limited information and context.
  3. Slavery was integral to many historical societies, viewed as a necessary part of their social and economic structures.

On Mary and the Mob

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5332 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was Jewish, and it's important to acknowledge her heritage. Denying this fact is seen as foolish or antisemitic.
  2. There is a current controversy over the casting of a Jewish actress to play Mary in a Netflix film. Some people are upset that an Israeli Jew was chosen for the role.
  3. The debate around the film reflects a broader conflict and misinformation about Israel and Palestine. Many narratives surrounding this issue are manipulated to serve certain political agendas.

Bishop Álvarez freed in Nicaragua, exiled to Vatican

The Pillar • 1906 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. The Nicaraguan regime freed Bishop Rolando José Álvarez and expelled him from the country after he was sentenced to 26 years in prison along with other priests and seminarians.
  2. The release was secured through diplomacy involving Vatican agreements, leading to the deportation of numerous clerics, including Bishop Álvarez and others from various dioceses.
  3. The deportation represents the third major expulsion of Nicaraguan priests within a year, contributing to a significant exodus of priests from the country and potentially challenging the Church's presence in Nicaragua.

The Axis Of The Human Heart

Daily Dreher • 3007 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's wisdom teaches that the line between good and evil runs through every human heart.
  2. Historical atrocities occurred when people dehumanized others based on group identity.
  3. Evil can manifest in anyone if the line between good and evil in their heart is blurred or moved.

New: Full Victim Impact Statement From Jane Doe #1 aka Jen B In Danny Masterson Trial

Yashar's Newsletter • 3203 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Religion
  1. The victim impact statement provides harrowing details of the trauma experienced by women at the hands of the perpetrator.
  2. The victim faced challenges with the Scientology community and had to navigate difficult choices between justice and family ties.
  3. The statement sheds light on the manipulation and cover-up tactics employed by the perpetrator and the emotional toll on the victim's life.

The Man Comes Around

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3597 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  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.

I still call Australia home

Kvetch • 106 implied HN points • 25 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. A solemn memorial brought people together, with leaders, survivors, and the wider community showing reconciliation and shared grief. It helped restore faith in humanity and reclaimed public spaces as inclusive.
  2. Many immigrants feel deep gratitude and pride in Australia as a safe, welcoming home that offers opportunity and belonging. For people who escaped hardship, living here feels like a profound gain and reason to celebrate.
  3. The everyday beauty of Australia — its beaches, trees, rolling paddocks, and local rituals — inspires strong affection and a sense of home. Simple pleasures like surfing, neighborhood gatherings, and public displays of solidarity reinforce that belonging.

The Golden Age of Humanity? We’re Living in It. Plus. . .

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 412 implied HN points • 25 Nov 25
📰 News Religion
  1. Many people feel modern life is empty, but Enlightenment ideas like reason, rights, and science have driven huge gains in health, wealth, and freedom, leading some to call this a golden age for humanity.
  2. There’s a notable religious revival and a strain of political nostalgia on the right that longs for older Christian social orders, even flirting with monarchic or feudal ideas that challenge modern democratic norms.
  3. Current events show a mixed reality: legal battles, heated debates over the Second Amendment, foreign-run social media accounts stoking outrage, and rising utility shutoffs all highlight serious problems that persist despite long-term progress.

Non-Euclidean Churches

Reactionary Feminist • 15 implied HN points • 25 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Athens layers ancient and modern architecture so densely that ruins, metro lines, and shops coexist, creating a living palimpsest of history.
  2. The encounter between Greek thought and early Christianity — epitomised by St Paul preaching on the Areopagus and conversions like Dionysius — is presented as a foundational moment for Western identity.
  3. Sacred places carry memory that bends perception, so small churches like Panagia Kapnikarea can feel much larger and more timeless inside than they appear outside.

Blood and Baptism

KERFUFFLE • 55 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
💾 History Religion
  1. The Vikings—by raiding, trading, and settling—helped turn scattered Scandinavian clans into the ancestors of new peoples and the building blocks of emerging countries. They created diasporas like Normandy, the Danelaw, and the Rus' through both violence and colonization.
  2. Violence and the pursuit of treasure were central to state formation: sea-kings used raids to fund ships and armies, and military victory let rulers absorb rivals and consolidate larger realms.
  3. Trade brought foreigners and ideas like Christianity, and rulers adopted the faith because it gave divine legitimacy and administrative tools; that religious unification helped pave the way for secular, bureaucratic nation-states.

Of Secret Tunnels and Fake Lists

donaldjeffries • 1572 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Religion
  1. There are allegations of a secret tunnel under a synagogue in New York, sparking conspiracy theories and concerns about child abuse.
  2. The discovery of the tunnels has led to speculation and questions about what was happening down there, including the presence of high chairs and stained mattresses.
  3. The reactions to the tunnel discovery raise issues about religious privilege and how different scenarios involving different religious groups might be perceived and treated by the public and media.

St. Petroc Returns To Devonshire

Daily Dreher • 1670 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. St. Petroc, an early medieval missionary saint, returned to Devonshire, spreading the message of God through miracles and missionary work.
  2. Christopher Rufo advocates for a new activism on the Right to challenge prevailing ideologies and institutions, emphasizing the need for meaningful change and principles.
  3. Changes in sacramental practices in the Catholic Church, such as baptizing transsexuals without repentance, can signify deeper shifts in symbolic meanings and belief systems, impacting the faithful.

The Miracle of the Light

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3909 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion
  1. In tough times, we look for hope and inspiration, often represented by light. The stories and symbols of Jewish history highlight the fight for life and dignity.
  2. A famous image from 1931 shows a menorah shining bright against a swastika, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil. It reminds us of what we stand for in the face of opposition.
  3. Some people mock traditional beliefs, like the miracle of Hanukkah, but these beliefs underline important values like human equality and the sanctity of life. Our spiritual heritage teaches us about more than just history.

Things Worth Remembering: The Freedom to Be Different

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1729 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Being different is important and can shape our lives in meaningful ways. Simple actions that stand out may seem small, but they hold real significance.
  2. The freedom to be oneself, especially in the Jewish community, has been fought for and is vital for survival and identity.
  3. Simon Rawidowicz showed how being unique and thinking differently can have a deep impact, even in challenging times. His life was a testament to the strength found in embracing one's differences.

Thanks to Lutherans I skipped ballet

Garrison Keillor and Friends • 2653 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Religion
  1. Lutherans have a long history of being predominantly white due to their origins in countries that were not major colonial powers.
  2. Growing up in a Lutheran culture in Minnesota influenced the author's perspective on personal choices, culture, and lifestyle.
  3. The author avoided pursuing a career in ballet due to their upbringing among Lutherans, which shaped their values and lifestyle choices.

The Surprising Computational Properties of Love and Voluntary Suffering

apxhard • 51 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
📖 Philosophy Religion
  1. Love works like an outward-pointing utility that breaks self-referential loops and gives you clearer, less anxious targets to aim for.
  2. Loving many people widens your sample of reality and links your wellbeing to others, which prevents overfitting to your own experience and smooths emotional spikes.
  3. Choosing to endure short-term suffering lets you move against immediate pleasure gradients to escape local traps, and combined with love this grants much greater freedom to reach better long-term states.

No Christmas in Gaza

Pen>Sword • 1737 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. Christmas won't be celebrated in Gaza due to the local Christian population facing extinction.
  2. Only 700 Palestinian Christians are left in Gaza out of 2.3 million total population.
  3. The genocide in Gaza is erasing the Christian community with little outcry from the broader world.

A march on Washington, a death in Venezuela, and a watch on the German border

The Pillar • 1395 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Religion
  1. Today, Jan. 19, is the March for Life in Washington, DC, which remains significant despite shifts in activism focus.
  2. The death of Kenyan priest Fr. Josiah K’Okal in Venezuela raises suspicions of foul play due to his advocacy for indigenous rights.
  3. Pope Francis issued new financial regulations for the Vatican, showing a response to past scandals and a shift in authority.