“Poetic Faiths: New Religions and Rituals as Works of Living Art”
The first volume of the Poetic Faiths interview anthology is now available!
Essay
“The Inevitable Death of Fascism”: Cults of Life and Death in “Mad Max: Fury Road” and “Furiosa”
The Genetically Modified Skeptic YouTube channel offers a cogent comparison of religious/cultic themes in the Mad Max universe with real-world fascistic (and anti-fascistic) movements. Readers with a taste for Mad Max cult action may also enjoy this behind-the-scenes glimpse into the training of the actors and stuntmen who played Immortan Joe’s War Boys.
“Looking Ahead”: a new essay by Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves
In the aftermath of the 2024 American elections, Lucien Greaves writes: It is often mystifying to me that people come to us and say, if only it were not Satan. But it is Satan, because we are Satanists. Do not ask us to discard Satanism, just accept that Satanism is not for you. You can support … Read more“Looking Ahead”: a new essay by Satanic Temple co-founder Lucien Greaves
“Call it ‘Living Wisdom'”
Patrick Barry writes: “Living wisdom” carries this idea of a dynamic, growing, becoming, manifesting sort of project. It’s not just what some wise dudes wrote a long time ago. It’s ongoing, a living project. It, itself, can and will evolve over time, as we slowly, collectively learn. We can be less confused, more wise, more … Read more“Call it ‘Living Wisdom’”
“How to find new spiritual practices”
Morgan Shipley writes for Psyche: What is a spiritual practice, exactly? It is a regular discipline or ritual undertaken with intention to cultivate and enhance spiritual growth. Some common examples include mindfulness meditation, yoga, journaling, communing with nature, manifesting and affirmation cycles, or the use of tarot or astrology. A routine practice that promotes wellbeing … Read more“How to find new spiritual practices”
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”
“VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours … Read more“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus”
“What If We Made Lifelong Learning a Religion?”
Nicolas Forero speculates about a new religion founded on lifelong learning practices: Lifelong learning is the continuous process of acquiring, challenging, and refining knowledge and beliefs. This process demands critical thinking and openness to new perspectives. The term “lifelong learning” suggests a pursuit that lasts a lifetime, making it more suitable to turn into a … Read more“What If We Made Lifelong Learning a Religion?”
“Spiritual but not religious: The end of belief”
George Adams, the author of the forthcoming Thinking About Religion in the 21st Century, writes for iai.tv on the emergent spiritualities of the 21st century and beyond: We are suggesting that what’s left is precisely that intuitive, experiential, difficult-to-articulate, but nonetheless solidly real and epistemologically convincing, intuitive sense of Spirit. More specifically, we argue that … Read more“Spiritual but not religious: The end of belief”
“Tutorial: How to Create Your Own Religion?”
Rémi Sussan’s 2014 article for Tryangle (here translated from French into English) explores many avenues and possibilities of CultPunk/Poetic Faith: The creation of mythological pantheons is therefore the first step towards a true DIY religion. But it is very rare to encounter entirely original pantheons, with no link to the past. In general, it is … Read more“Tutorial: How to Create Your Own Religion?”
“Be Open to Spiritual Experience. Also, Be Really Careful.”
An elegant expression of the CultPunk/Poetic Faith perspective courtesy of Ross Douthat, writing for The New York Times: Start with the broad youthful impulse toward what you might call magical thinking, ranging from the vogue for astrology to the TikTok craze for manifesting desired outcomes in your life. In certain ways this is an extension of the … Read more“Be Open to Spiritual Experience. Also, Be Really Careful.”