“The Book of Uncommon Rituals”
The Book of Uncommon Rituals (forthcoming series) is an adventurous collection of original submissions from practitioners from all over the world, spanning a wide range of spiritual paths and no spiritual path.
Zeitgeist
The Church of Burn
Introducing the Church of Burn: Art-Magic Cult? New Age Religion? Ritualists? Gnostics? Chaos Mages? When the Fitzwilliam Museum described Church of Burn as “organisers of special events that resemble religious ceremonies,” it felt like we were being observed through the lens of a Victorian anthropologist — as if our rituals needed some kind of official … Read moreThe Church of Burn
“Why More Māori Are Rejecting Christianity”
The Religion for Breakfast YouTube channel offers an insightful take on the phenomenon of contemporary Māori atheism, based on this 2024 academic study. See here for my own take on post-theistic “civic mythopoetics” in New Zealand.
“Beyond Atheism: Finding Meaning in the Secular Age”
Freddie Sayers hosts John Vervaeke and Alex O’Connor, formerly known as Cosmic Skeptic, to explore the deep question of meaning in an increasingly secular world. They discuss the historical role of religion in providing purpose and narrative, the modern challenges of finding meaning, and the rise of non-propositional forms of knowledge and practice. O’Connor and … Read more“Beyond Atheism: Finding Meaning in the Secular Age”
Metamodernism and Poetic Faiths
Brendan Graham Dempsey interviews Tony Wolf, editor of Poetic Faiths: New Religions and Rituals as Works of Living Art: First we tackle the idea of “Poetic Faiths” and what they are before going over what’s in this new anthology of interviews with creators of such Poetic Faiths. Tony shares part of his story that led … Read moreMetamodernism and Poetic Faiths
“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.
“Cyborgs Need a Trustworthy Religion”
According to The Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth: If compassionate and wise beings don’t create the religion of this age, others will. In recent years, religion has evolved more quickly than any other force on Earth. Powerful leaders are now publicly claiming things that would have seemed absurd ten years ago, … Read more“Cyborgs Need a Trustworthy Religion”
Te Ātea and the Potentials of Civic Mythopoetics in New Zealand
Recently returned from a trip to New Zealand, where I was heartened and intrigued to note that traditional Māori cultural/spiritual symbolism is increasingly being incorporated into public space design. The photo above is of Te Ātea (“the Space”) on the Lake Taupo foreshore: There are a number of different elements that come together to form … Read moreTe Ātea and the Potentials of Civic Mythopoetics in New Zealand