Let's Talk Religion

Filip Holm

This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Rabi'a - Mystic, Saint, and the Mother of Sufi Love

    31 May

    Rabi'a - Mystic, Saint, and the Mother of Sufi Love

    Who was Rabi'a al-Adawiyya? Explore the life, teachings, and spiritual legacy of one of history’s most influential mystics. From divine love to radical devotion, this video examines how Rabi'a transformed Islamic spirituality and continues to inspire people centuries later. Sources/Recommended Reading: Cornell, Rkia Elaroui (translated by) (1999). "Early Sufi Women: Dhikr an-niswa al-muta 'abbidat as sufiyyat". Fons Vitae. Cornell, Rkia Elaroui (2019). "Rabi'a From Narrative to Myth: The Many Faces of Islam's Most Famous Woman Saint, Rabi'a al-'Adawiyya". Oneworld Academic. Helminski, Camille Adams (2003). "Women of Sufism: A Hidden Treasure". Shambhala. Knysh, Alexander (2000). "Islamic Mysticism: A Short History". Brill. Safi, Omid (2019). "Radical Love: Teachings from the Islamic Mystical Tradition". Yale University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
  2. Religion in Ancient Greece

    10 May

    Religion in Ancient Greece

    Explore the fascinating world of religion in Ancient Greece, from the powerful Olympian gods like Zeus, Athena, and Apollo to sacred rituals, temples, myths, and festivals that shaped daily Greek life. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Bowden, Hugh (2010). "Mystery cults in the Ancient World". Thames and Hudson Ltd. Burkert, William (1987). "Greek Religion: Archaic and Classical". Wiley-Blackwell. Burkert, Walter (1988). "Ancient Mystery Cults". Harvard University Press. Chulp, Radek (2016). "Proclus: An Introduction". Cambridge University Press. Cooper, John M. et. al (translated by) (1997). "Plato: Complete Works". Hackett Publishing. Dodds, E.R. (2004). "The Greeks & The Irrational". University of California Press. Eidinow, Esther & Julia Kindt (ed.) (2017). "The Oxford Handbook of Ancient Greek Religion". Oxford University Press. Gerson, Loyd P. (ed.) (2019). "Plotinus: The Enneads". Cambridge University Press. (This is the translation of the Enneads I have been using in this episode). Gerson, Loyd P (2008). "Cambridge Companion to Plotinus". Cambridge University Press. Gregory, John (ed.) (1998). "The Neoplatonists: a reader". Routledge. Huffman, Carl A. (ed.) (2017). "A History of Pythagoreanism". Cambridge University Press. Iamblichus "On the Mysteries". Tranlsated by Emma C. Clarke, John M. Dillon & Jackson P. Hershell. Writings from the Graeco-Roman World. Society of Biblical Literature. Inwood, Brad (ed.) (2003). "The Cambridge Companion to the Stoics". Cambridge University Press. Kirk, G.S., J.E. Raven & M. Schofield (1983). "The Presocratic Philosophers". Second Edition. Cambridge University Press. Parker, Robert C.T. (2011). "On Greek Religion". Cornell University Press. Proclus "The Elements of Theology: A Revised Text with Translation, Introduction, and Commentary". Translated by E.R. Dodds. Second Edition. Oxford University Press. Shaw, Gregory (2014). "Theurgy and the Soul: The Neoplatonism of Iamblichus". Angelico Press/Sophia Perennis. Ustinova, Yulia (2017). "Divine Mania: Alterations of Consciousness in Ancient Greece". Routledge. Wallis, R.T. (1998). "Neoplatonism". Second Edition. Bristol Classical Paperbacks. Hackett Publishing Company. Zhmud, Leonid (2012). "Pythagoras and the Early Pythagoreans". Translated by Kevin Windle & Rosh Ireland. OUP Oxford. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 16min
  3. The Lost Suras of the Quran?

    27 Apr

    The Lost Suras of the Quran?

    Did the Quran once contain additional suras that are no longer part of the standard text? In this video, we explore reports about the codex of Ubayy ibn Ka'b and examine claims about “lost” or excluded suras during the Uthmanic recension. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Amir-Moezzi, Mohammad Ali. 2022. The Shi’is and the Qur’an: Between Apocalypse, Civil Wars, and Empire. Religions 13: 1. Anthony, Sean W. (2019). "TWO ‘LOST’ SŪRAS OF THE QURʾĀN: SŪRAT AL-KHALʿ AND SŪRAT AL-ḤAFD BETWEEN TEXTUAL AND RITUAL CANON (1st-3rd/7th-9th CENTURIES)". JSAI 46 (2019). Harvey, R., & College, E. (2017). "The Legal Epistemology of Qur'anic Variants: The Readings of Ibn Masʿūd in Kufan fiqh and the Ḥanafī madhhab". Karimi-Nia, Morteza. (2019). A New Document in the Early History of the Qurʾān. Journal of Islamic Manuscripts. 10. 292-326. 10.1163/1878464X-01003002. Sadeghi, Behnam & Bergmann, Uwe. (2010). The Codex of a Companion of the Prophet and the Qurān of the Prophet. Arabica. 57. 343-436. 10.1163/157005810X504518. Sinai, Nicolai (2017). "The Qur'an: A Historical-Critical Introduction". Edinburgh University Press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  4. Mazdak & Mazdakism - Ancient Persian Communism?

    13 Apr

    Mazdak & Mazdakism - Ancient Persian Communism?

    Who was Mazdak, and did he really preach a form of “ancient communism”? In this video, we explore Mazdakism—a radical movement in Sasanian Persia that challenged wealth, power, and social inequality over 1,500 years ago. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Boyce, Mary (2000). "Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices". Routledge; 2nd edition. Crone, Patricia (2012). “The Nativist Prophets of Early Islamic Iran: Rural Revolt and Local Zoroastrianism”. Cambridge University Press. Moazami, Mahnaz (ed.) (2016). "Zoroastrianism: A collection of Articles from the Encyclopedia Iranica". ENCYCLOPAEDIA IRANICA FOUNDATION. 2 Volumes. Rose, Jenny (2019). "Zoroastrianism: An Introduction". I.B. Tauris Introduction to Religions. Bloomsbury Academic. Yarshater, Ehsan (1983). “Mazdakism”. In “The Cambridge History of Iran”, vol. 3. Cambridge University Press. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/mazdak-crossref/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  5. Atlantis of the Sands - The Legend of the Lost City of Arabia

    5 Apr

    Atlantis of the Sands - The Legend of the Lost City of Arabia

    Was the legendary “Atlantis of the Sands” real? In this video, we explore the mystery of Iram of the Pillars, the lost city often linked to the ancient people of ʿĀd mentioned in the Qurʾān. We explore whether it was originally a city or the name of a people, and all the legends surrouding it until this very day. Music by Filip Holm Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Al-Jallad, A.الجلادأ. (2025). The Epigraphy of the Tribe of ʿĀd [النقوش القديمة التي تذكر عاد]. Athīrat: Journal of Ancient Arabia, 1(1-2), 281-289. https://doi.org/10.1163/30504880-12340015 Clapp, Nicholas (1999). “The Road to Ubar: Finding the Atlantis of the Sands”. Houghton Mifflin Company. Elmaz, Orhan (2018). “A Paradise in the Desert: Iram at the Intersection of One Thousand and One Nights, Quranic Exegesis, and Arabian History”. In “To the Madbar and Back Again: Studies in the Languages, Archaeology, and Cultures of Arabia, Dedicated to Michael C.A. Macdonald”. Edited by Laïla Nehmé & Ahmad Al-Jallad. Brill. Thomas, Bertram (1932). “Arabia Felix: Across the Empty Quarter of Arabia”. Jonathan Cape. Thomas, Bertram (1933). “Ubar—the Atlantis of the sands of Rub’ Al Khali”. Journal of The Royal Central Asian Society, 20(2), 259–265. https://doi.org/10.1080/03068379308725252 Webb, P. A. (2019). Iram. In K. Fleet, G. Krämer, D. Matringe, J. Nawas, & E. Rowson (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of Islam 3 (pp. 117-121). Brill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    30 min
  6. Abd al-Malik - The Caliph Who Shaped Islam?

    23 Mar

    Abd al-Malik - The Caliph Who Shaped Islam?

    How did Abd al-Malik shape the development of Islam? This video explores the reign of the Umayyad caliph Abd al-Malik, including his reforms, the construction of the Dome of the Rock, and his role in shaping early Islamic identity. Was he the most important caliph in Islamic history? Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Donner, Fred (2012). "Muhammad and the Believers: At the Origins of Islam". Harvard University Press. Dov Goitein, Shelomo (1950). "The Historical Background of the Erection of the Dome of the Rock". In Journal of the American Oriental Society , Apr. - Jun., 1950, Vol. 70, No. 2, pp. 104-108. Elad, Amikam (2008). "֒ABD AL-MALIK AND THE DOME OF THE ROCK: A FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEMUSLIM SOURCES". In JERUSALEM STUDIES IN ARABIC AND ISLAM 35 (2008). Marsham, Andrew (2023). "The Umayyad Empire". Edinburgh University Press. Robinson, Chase F. (2012). "'Abd al-Malik". Makers of the Muslim World. Oneworld Academic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  7. The Islamic Idealism of Ibn 'Arabi

    15 Mar

    The Islamic Idealism of Ibn 'Arabi

    Was the great Sufi thinker Ibn 'Arabi actually a kind of idealist philosopher? In this video we explore the metaphysics of the Akbari tradition and the famous doctrine of Wahdat al-Wujud (Oneness of Being). I examine Ibn ‘Arabi’s view that God (al-Haqq) is the only true Reality, while the universe is a divine self-disclosure within Being. Along the way we look at concepts like wujūd (Being), imagination (khayāl), the immutable entities (a‘yān thābita), and the idea that the world is a reflection of the divine attributes. Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Sources/Recommended Reading: Abdel-Hadi, Faris (2025). "Ibn 'Arabi's Religious Pluralism: Levels of Inclusivity". Routledge. Addas, Claude (1993). "Quest for the Red Sulphur". The Islamic Texts Society. Austin, R.W.J. (translated by) (1980). "The Bezels of Wisdom". Classics of Western Spirituality Series. Paulist Press. Chittick, William (1989). "The Sufi Path of Knowledge: Ibn 'Arabi's Metaphysics of Imagination". Chittick, William (1998). "The Self-Disclosure of God: Principles of Ibn al-'Arabi's Cosmology". State University of New York Press. Chittick, William (2005). "Ibn Arabi: Heir to the Prophets". OneWorld Publications. Chodkiewicz, Michel (1993). "Seal of the Saints: Prophethood and sainthood in the doctrine of Ibn 'Arabi". Translated by Liadain Sherrard. The Islamic Texts Society. Caner Dagli (translated by) (2004). Ibn 'Arabi - "The Ringstones of Wisdom (Fusus al-Hikam)". Great Books of the Islamic World. Kazi Pubns Inc. Dyczkowski, Mark S.G. (1987). "The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism". SUNY Press. https://hareesh.org/blogpage Ibn Arabi - "The Universal Tree and the Four Birds (al-ittihad al-kawni). Translated by Angela Jaffray. Oxford: Anqa Publishing. Ibn 'Arabi - "The Openings Revealed in Makkah: al-futuhat al-makkiyya". Translated by Eric Winkel. Volumes 1-7. Pir Press. Kastrup, Bernardo (2019). "Idea of the World, The: A multi-disciplinary argument for the mental nature of reality". Iff Books. Kastrup, Bernardo (2024). "Analytic Idealism in a Nutshell: A straightforward summary of the 21st century’s only plausible metaphysics". Iff Books. Muller-Ortega, Paul (1988). "The Triadic Heart of Siva: Kaula Tantricism of Abhinavagupta in the Non-Dual Shaivism of Kashmir". SUNY Press. Rory Dickson, William (2024). "Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy". Anqa Publishing. Singh, Jaideva (Translated by) (1990). "The Doctrine of Recognition: A Translation of the Pratyabhijnahrdayam with an Introduction and Notes, by Ksemaraja". SUNY Press. Torella, Raffaele & Bettina Bäumer (2016). "Utpaladeva: Philosopher of Recognition". D.K. Printworld. Torella, Rafaele (Translated by) (2013). "The Isvarapratyabhijnakarika of Utpaladeva: Critical edition and annoted translation". Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  8. al-Ghazali, Ibn 'Arabi & The Sufi School of Love | w. Omid Safi

    13 Mar

    al-Ghazali, Ibn 'Arabi & The Sufi School of Love | w. Omid Safi

    Find Omid here: Instagram: brotheromid And Illuminated Tours/Courses: https://www.illuminatedcourses.com Find me and my music here: https://linktr.ee/filipholm Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: https://paypal.me/talkreligiondonate Also check out the 'Let's Talk Religion' Youtube channel: Let's Talk Religion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1hr 43min
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About

This podcast aims to educate on the subject of religion from an academic perspective and to open up for informed discussions on the subject. You will find episodes discussing the big religions of the world and historical overviews of important figures from different religious traditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Filip Holm
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    177
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Filip Holm
  • Show Website
    Let's Talk Religion

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