Let's Talk Religion
Episodes
What is Salafism?
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the history and key features of the movement known as Salafism, which has become a significant force in modern Islam.Sourc...
The "One God" in Ancient Egypt
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore whether or not we can find the conception of a single, absolute god in ancient Egyptian theology.Sources/Suggested Reading...
Pythagoras & His Weird Religious Cult
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the life and movement of Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans, and discover that the common image of him as an ancient mathemat...
The Jewish-Sufi Mystics of Medieval Egypt
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the life, teachings and movement of Abraham Maimonides, the son of the much more famous Jewish philosopher Moses Maimonides (d. ...
What is Shia Islam? - Twelverism
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I attempt to give you an overview of the vast and complex Twelver school of Shi'ism across history.Sources/Suggested Reading:Abdulsat...
What is Tantra?
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
WARNING: This episode contains depictions of violence, references to sexual acts and mild nudity.In this episode, we explore the often misunderstood t...
Organized Daoism & Internal Alchemy (Neidan)
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our explorations of Daoism by studying its later developments into organized movements and the fascinating practice of Ne...
Shams al-Ma'arif - The Most Dangerous Book in the World?
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the most (in)famous book of occult sciences in the history of the Islamicate World: the Shams al-Ma’arif (Sun of Knowled...
Demons in Ancient Mesopotamia
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We continue this year's Shocktober with an exploration of demons and exorcism in Ancient Mesopotamia.Sources/Recomended Reading:Abusch, I. Tzvi (2020)...
The Mare
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Shocktober 2022, we explore the creature(s) known as "Mare" in Northern European folklore.#mare #folklore #halloween Hosted on Ac...
Astrology in the early Islamicate World
22 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our exploration of the Occult Sciences by taking a look at some of the earliest theories and practices surrounding astrology in the Islami...
Talismanic Magic in the Islamicate World
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We continue our exploration of the Occult Sciences by looking at the theory and use of Talismans in the Islamicate World.Sources/Suggested Reading:Mel...
Introduction to Islamicate Occult Sciences
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first in a series of episodes exploring the world of Occult Sciences in the Islamicate World, including such topics as Alchemy, Astrology,...
What are the Jinn?
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode in our Shocktober 2020 series, we explore the king of mythical creatures in the middle east - the Jinn. What are some of the mi...
The Mythical Creatures of Arabia
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was originally recorded and released in 2020 on the Let's Talk Religion Youtube channel.In this first Shocktober-special we dive into the...
What is Sufi Music?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we finally dive into one of my favorite topics - Sufi Music. We discuss its history, practical uses as well as theoretical, philosoph...
Madhva & Dvaita Vedanta
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this last part in the trilogy about Vedanta, we explore the life and teachings of Madhvacharya - the founder of the school of Dvaita (dualistic) Ve...
Ibn Taymiyya - The Father of Salafism?
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about a scholar who represents the very opposite tendency compared to many other figures we have discussed on this channel. Ib...
Shadhiliyya - The North African Sufi Order
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we keep exploring the world of Sufism through one of the oldest and most important orders in history - the Shadhiliyya.Sources/Sugges...
Suhrawardi & The Philosophy of Illumination
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's finally time to talk about Suhrawardi, one of the most fascinating philosophers of the middle ages.Sources/Suggested Reading:Suhrawardi (1187). "...
Who were the Cathars?
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss the famous medieval "heretics" known as the Cathars, and the Albigensian crusade which tried to wipe them out.Sources/Sugge...
Dara Shikoh & The Meeting of Islam & Hinduism
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the life and teachings of the Mughal prince and Sufi teacher Dara Shikoh.Sources/Suggested Reading:Gandhi, Supriya (2020). "The ...
Emperor Akbar & Din Ilahi
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the religious ideas and explorations of the Mughal empire's most famous emperor.Sources/Suggested Reading:Eaton, Richard M....
The Origins of Arabic
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we explore the history and development of the Arabic language, as well as its connection to religion.Check out this excellent lecture...
What is Hesychasm?
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the mystical tradition called "Hesychasm" in the Eastern Orthodox Church.Sources/Suggested Reading:Lossky, Vladimir (19...
Marguerite Porete & The Mirror of Simple Souls
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about the fascinating writer & possibly beguine Marguerite Porete (d. 1310).Sources/Suggested Reading:"The Mirror of Simpl...
Tayyibi Isma'ilis: Heirs to the Fatimids
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we discuss the Tayyibi Isma'ilis, including the Dawwodi Bohras, Alavi Bohras & Sulaymanis and their history.Don't forget to check ...
Religion in Pre-Islamic Arabia
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sources/Suggested Reading:al-Jallad, Ahmad (forthcoming) "The Religion and Rituals of the Nomads of Pre-Islamic Arabia: A reconstruction based on the ...
How is Sufism related to Islam?
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we talk about an often asked question - what is the relatioship between Sufism and Islam? Are they the same thing or is there some difference?So...
What is Spinoza's God?
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Spinoza is one of the most controversial and debated philosophers in the last few centuries. This episode attempts to give a very general overview of ...
The Real Assassin's Creed? - The Nizari Isma'ilis at Alamut
23 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the historical and religious context of the first Assassin's Creed Game.The episode uses sound taken from gameplay footage from ...
Abraham Abulafia & Ecstatic Kabbalah
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Abraham Abulafia (d. 1291) is one of the most fascinating jewish mystics of all time, who is credited with founding the "Ecstatic/Prophetic Kabbalah"....
Did Jesus Exist?
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about Jesus, who is was and if he even existed.Sources/Suggested Reading:Chilton, Bruce & Craig A. Evans (ed.) (1998). Stu...
Shah Ni'matullah Wali & The Ni'matullahi Sufi Order
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about the great 14th-15th century saint Shah Ni'matullah Wali and the order that carries his name.Sources/Further Reading:Dahl...
What Happens to Religion When People Migrate?
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is one that leans heavily on the academic side. Here we talk about the effects that religion and migration have on each other.Sources/Fur...
Meister Eckhart & Christian Mysticism
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Meister Eckhart is an influential, and often surprising, Christian theologian/philosopher/mystics whose writings & sermons have both inspired futu...
Zhuangzi - The Sage of Uncertainty
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this video, we talk about one of the most central texts and figures in Daoism.Sources/Further Reading:Komjathy, Louis (2013). "The Daoist Tradition...
Ramanuja & Vishishtadvaita Vedanta
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We follow up the last episode on Shankara & Advaita Vedanta by talking about the most influential response to that school.Sources/Suggested Readin...
Shankara & Advaita Vedanta
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The much requested episode about Shankara is finally here.Sources/Suggeested Reading:Deutsch, Eliot (1973). “Advaita Vedanta: A Philosophical Recons...
What is Vedanta?
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week we talk about the Hindu philosophical school(s) of "Vedanta".Sources/Further Reading:Brahma Sutra Basya by Shankaracharya. Published by Adva...
What are the Vedas?
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The earliest and most sacred scriptures of Hinduism - The Vedas - is some of the oldest surviving religious literature in the world, and simultaneousl...
Ibn Rushd (Averroes) - Champion of Reason
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the famous Andalusian philosopher Ibn Rushd.Sources/Further Reading:Kennedy, Hugh (1996). "Muslim Spain and Portugal: A...
Al-Ghazali - The Reviver of Religious Sciences
17 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps the most requested figure here - al-Ghazali - is finally getting a treatment!I talk about his life, some of his teachings, ideas and legacy an...
Naqshbandiyya - The "Orthodox" Sufi Order?
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I will do my first deep dive into one of the many Sufi orders - the Naqshbandiyya.Sources/Further Reading:Abun-Nasr, Jamil (2007). "Mu...
The Mystical Origins of Coffee & Tea
10 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this unusual episode, we explore the history of coffee and its connection to Sufism, as well as the similar origins of tea.Good to remember: While ...
Music in the Islamic World (Part 2)
30 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The long awaited second part of my series about music in the Islamic world!Sources/Further Reading:Hammarlund, Anders, Tord Olsson & Elizabeth Öz...
Music in the Islamic World (Part 1)
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first part of a new series, we talk about the earliest centuries of Islamic civilization - Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid caliphates - and the dif...
The First Monotheistic Religion?
23 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the short-lived religion founded by the Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten.Sources/Further Reading:Hornung, Erik (2001) "Akhena...
Reason vs. Literalism? Kalam & Early Islamic Theology
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As requested by the audience, in this episode we talk about the very early development of Speculative Islamic theology, or "Kalam".Support me on Patre...
Al-Shushtari: Sufi Poet of the People
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue our series on some of the less known (and sometimes controversial) Sufis of the Middle Ages, we reach the Andalusian poet Abu-l Hasan a...
Ibn Sab'in & Radical Unity
12 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about the controversial Andalusian Philosopher/Sufi Ibn Sab'in (d. 1270) and his teachings.Sources:Ceballos, Carlos Berbil (2...
Ibn 'Arabi & The Unity of Being
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this very long episode, I give an introduction to one of the most significant, yet often misunderstood thinkers and mystics in history - Ibn 'Arabi...
Ikhwan al-safa' - a secret society in medieval Iraq
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this latest episode I talk about the Ikhwan al-safa, or "Brethren of Purity" - a group of secretive philosophers and scholars who lived in medieval...
Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi & The Translation Movement - A historical review
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A new. long awaited historical review, this time dealing with the earliest of the Muslim philosophers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...
Nasir Khusraw & The Reconciliation of Science and Religion
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about the 11th century Ismaili philosopher Nasir Khusraw and his major work "Jami' al-hikmatayn" or "The union of the two wisdo...
Who are the Quranists?
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There is talk within the Muslim community (and outside) of the so-called "Quranists" or the movement "Quranism". In this episode I talk about, in very...
Ibadi - Islam's third major branch
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we talk about the third major branch of Islam, known as Ibadism, which is a major presence today in Oman, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya.I...
Sunni & Shia - What is (really) the difference?
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I see many videos talking about the differences between the Sunni and Shia, but most of them present a simplified version. In this episode, I try to g...
Who wrote the Bible?
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I go through the scholarly discussion regarding the composition of the Hebrew Bible and, in particular, the Torah/Pentateuch. The main...
What is Sikhism?
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we finally explore the fifth largest religion in the world - Sikhism (more properly called "Sikhi").Sources/Suggested Reading:Mandair...
What is Hasidism?
08 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Hasidic movement is pretty famous. But few are aware of its deep mystical teachings and connections with Kabbalah. In this episode, we explore the...
What is Gnosticism?
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode gives an overview of the so-called "Gnostics", particularly the group that is often otherwise known as the 'Sethians'.Sources/Suggested R...
What is Orientalism?
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A topic hat comes up a lot in the comments. Let's set the record straight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is Hermeticism?
25 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Finally, we talk about the complex tradition known as Hermeticism and its mysterious namesake Hermes Trismegistus.Sources/Suggested Reading:Copenhaver...
What is Jainism?
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We continue to explore the religions of India by looking at the ancient tradition of Jainism.Sources/Suggested Reading:Dundas, Paul (2002). "The Jains...
What is Manichaeism?
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Manichaeism is an ancient religion that is relatively unknown. In this episode, I give you everything you need to know as a introduction to this fasci...
What is Daoism?
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One of the main religious traditions in China - Daoism - is the subject of this episode. We go deep into the origins, main writings and later developm...
The Bahá'i Faith [Part 2]
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second and last part in a series on the Bahá'i Faith.Sources/Further Reading:Smith, Peter (2008). "An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith". ...
The Bahá'i Faith [Part 1]
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the first episode in a two-part series on The Bahá'i Faith - one of the youngest and fastest growing religions in the world.Sources/Further R...
Who are the Alawites
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another episode in my series about religious minorities in the Middle East, this time about the secretive Alawites.Sources:Larson, Göran; Simon Sorge...
Who are the Druze?
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another episode in my series about religious minorities in the middle east. This time we talk about the secretive group known as the "Druze", also kno...
Who are the Yezidis?
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this video in the series on minority religions in the middle east, we explore Yazidism, a fascinating religion that have sometimes been oppressed a...
What is Mandaeism?
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is Mandaeism? And Who are the Mandaeans?This religious group from middle east has a long and rich history that connects it to Gnosticism, Early J...
Why Do People Believe?
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we explore the complex world of "belief" and present one perspective on the subject, taken primarily from scholar Abby Day's book "Bel...
Do Religions Even Exist?
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is on the scholarly academic side. We discuss the very commonly recurring problems of essentializing, generalizing and the "No True Scots...
Introduction & What is Religion?
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A quick introduction to the podcast and what "Let's talk Religion" is about.We also explore the difficult question "What is Religion" from a scholarly...