The hottest Religious history Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

England's Nazareth

The Abbey of Misrule • 525 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Pilgrimage Religious history Rituals Cultural heritage
  1. Little Walsingham is a unique village in England where Christian faith is still alive and well. It has a lot of shops selling religious icons and attracts pilgrims from all over.
  2. The village's history dates back to 1061 when a noblewoman named Richeldis had a vision to build a replica of the house where Mary was told she would give birth to Jesus. This site became a major pilgrimage destination.
  3. Despite the destruction of the original shrine by Henry VIII, the village has seen a revival in Christian pilgrimage. New shrines have been built, allowing people from different Christian denominations to come together and honor their faith.

Gnosticism: Awakenings

Secretum Secretorum • 454 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Mysticism Esotericism Spiritual Practices Counterculture
  1. Gnosticism encourages personal spiritual journeys and questions conventional religious authority. It's about believing in your own spiritual nature rather than strictly following church rules.
  2. Throughout history, different groups have revived Gnostic ideas, often facing persecution for their beliefs. Figures like Menocchio and movements like Frankism challenged mainstream beliefs, showing the ongoing struggle for spiritual expression.
  3. Recent New Age movements echo Gnostic principles by prioritizing personal experience over traditional teachings. They seek to redefine spirituality in a way that feels more authentic and individualistic.

My Mormon Obsession

Castalia • 479 implied HN points • 13 Aug 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Theology Cultural Studies Personal narrative Community Dynamics
  1. Joseph Smith had unique and complex beliefs about God and spirituality that diverged from the mainstream ideas of his followers. He believed that humans could become like God and that creativity was a path to divinity.
  2. Smith faced opposition and challenges from both within and outside his community, including issues arising from his controversial practices like plural marriage. This led to tensions among his followers and eventually to his downfall.
  3. After Smith's death, the Mormon community experienced a significant shift as leadership changed hands. Brigham Young led the migration to Utah, where the community adopted a more structured approach, moving away from the free-spirited culture that characterized Smith's time.

Gnosticism: Origins

Secretum Secretorum • 631 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religious history Philosophy Spiritual beliefs Religious practices
  1. Gnosticism emphasizes knowledge ('gnosis') as the key to understanding the universe, viewing it as flawed and created by a lesser god.
  2. Gnostics believe our true essence is divine, and our task is to reconnect with this lost origin and escape the physical world's traps.
  3. The belief system is seen as a reaction to the oppressive religious and political contexts of the time, offering a radical alternative to traditional spirituality.

My Mormon Obsession

Castalia • 459 implied HN points • 03 Aug 24
💾 History American history Religious history Cultural Studies Political History Historical Narratives
  1. Nauvoo was a unique place in American history where Mormons created a theocratic community led by Joseph Smith. They had a different approach to politics and society compared to the individualistic American spirit.
  2. Despite facing hardships, the Mormons worked hard and grew in numbers, thanks in part to Joseph Smith's leadership and their strong community spirit. Nauvoo became a symbol of resilience for them.
  3. Joseph Smith's personal life was complex, involving multiple marriages and hidden affairs. He justified his actions through his religious beliefs, demonstrating a mix of idealism and ambition.
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Inside the Catholic State

Wrong Side of History • 280 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
💾 History Art history Religious history Cultural Studies Political History Biography
  1. Caravaggio's life and art were heavily influenced by the religious tensions of his time, particularly the struggles between Catholicism, Protestantism, and Islam. This backdrop shaped his perspective and themes in his work.
  2. Milan during the Counter-Reformation was a strict Catholic state, ruled by figures like Carlo Borromeo, who enforced harsh religious laws. People faced severe punishments for crimes seen as against the faith.
  3. The Pope during this time, Pius IV, was known for his intolerance and refusal to consider differing opinions. His death led to violent celebrations, highlighting the public's discontent with oppressive rule.

The Bukharan Jews at Dushanbe - Dmitri Logofet, 1913

The Library of Alexandria Ultima • 10 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
💾 History Cultural heritage Religious history Central Asia
  1. The Bukharan Jews have a long history in Central Asia, existing since the time of the Babylonian Exile. They settled in areas like Dushanbe, which is now the capital of Tajikistan.
  2. In Dushanbe, Bukharan Jews played a key role in local trade and held significant wealth compared to the surrounding population. This sometimes led to tensions and conflicts with local Muslim communities.
  3. Despite facing many restrictions and challenges, Bukharan Jews maintained their unique culture and traditions, distinct from other Jewish communities around the world.

A Féchín Rumour

The Abbey of Misrule • 300 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💾 History Religious history Folklore
  1. The pilgrimage site of St. Féchín contains a mass grave from the Great Famine in Ireland.
  2. St. Féchín's well, known for healing, is now dry and neglected in a field of cows.
  3. Historical rumors suggest St. Féchín may have played a role in a deadly plague upon society as a response to a request.

Children of Survivors

backstory • 242 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East Religious history War history
  1. Children of survivors may feel pressure to live up to the expectations imposed by their parents, who endured significant trauma.
  2. Jerusalem is a complex city with deep historical and religious significance, where old and new elements constantly intertwine.
  3. Visiting places like the Holocaust Memorial can evoke intense emotional responses and reflections on past atrocities.

Robert Horne, the 'New Discipline', and a Democratic Revolution

Something to Consider • 19 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💾 History Political History Religious history Cultural History Social history Historical Figures
  1. Robert Horne was a controversial figure who argued a lot, yet he was very knowledgeable. His time as a pastor in Frankfort sparked a major change in how church authority was viewed.
  2. The conflict in the Frankfort congregation led to a significant shift where the church members gained power over their pastor. This change emphasized that the church community had a say in leadership decisions.
  3. This shift in church governance is seen as a step towards democratic practices. It influenced how churches functioned later and even laid groundwork for democracy in places like New England.