Holly Pettit
@hollypettit.bsky.social
Harvard M.Div. in world religions / contemplative practice. Christian mysticism, ancient history, progressive theology & non-canonical texts.
Religions are a continuum, not a debate.
Former Army linguist & intelligence analyst. Writer for nonprofits.
Religions are a continuum, not a debate.
Former Army linguist & intelligence analyst. Writer for nonprofits.
In response to the question I got from the chair of a work meeting the other day -- "What's your family #tradition for #Christmas?"
I was the only one around the table who didn't have a heartwarming story worthy of a Hallmark movie.
Anyone out there feel me?
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
I was the only one around the table who didn't have a heartwarming story worthy of a Hallmark movie.
Anyone out there feel me?
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
My Family's Christmas Traditions Involve Guns and Gambling
So don't feel bad about yours...and the Hallmark Channel can kiss my ass.
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
In response to the question I got from the chair of a work meeting the other day -- "What's your family #tradition for #Christmas?"
I was the only one around the table who didn't have a heartwarming story worthy of a Hallmark movie.
Anyone out there feel me?
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
I was the only one around the table who didn't have a heartwarming story worthy of a Hallmark movie.
Anyone out there feel me?
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Him: “Did you watch President Trump’s speech last night?”
Me: “No…I know if a cow is given a microphone it will say ‘moo’.”
#USpolitics
Me: “No…I know if a cow is given a microphone it will say ‘moo’.”
#USpolitics
December 18, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Him: “Did you watch President Trump’s speech last night?”
Me: “No…I know if a cow is given a microphone it will say ‘moo’.”
#USpolitics
Me: “No…I know if a cow is given a microphone it will say ‘moo’.”
#USpolitics
Most of us imagine God the way Renaissance art depicts the divine — a white-bearded patriarch floating above the clouds.
This image isn't Biblical -- it's cultural.
Archaeology tells a different story.
medium.com/backyard-the... #ProgressiveChristian #ReligiousHistory
This image isn't Biblical -- it's cultural.
Archaeology tells a different story.
medium.com/backyard-the... #ProgressiveChristian #ReligiousHistory
When Yahweh Had a Bull’s Head
What Ancient Israelite Art Reveals About God, Asherah, and Early Hebrew Spirituality
medium.com
December 17, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Most of us imagine God the way Renaissance art depicts the divine — a white-bearded patriarch floating above the clouds.
This image isn't Biblical -- it's cultural.
Archaeology tells a different story.
medium.com/backyard-the... #ProgressiveChristian #ReligiousHistory
This image isn't Biblical -- it's cultural.
Archaeology tells a different story.
medium.com/backyard-the... #ProgressiveChristian #ReligiousHistory
Reposted by Holly Pettit
If you think about the vital government service of putting out fires, and you eventually come up with "wow, steady supply of tax revenue, we can jack up prices on these suckers endlessly," congratulations you've got a job on Wall Street for life
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
Private Equity Finds a New Source of Profit: Volunteer Fire Departments
www.nytimes.com
December 16, 2025 at 6:55 AM
If you think about the vital government service of putting out fires, and you eventually come up with "wow, steady supply of tax revenue, we can jack up prices on these suckers endlessly," congratulations you've got a job on Wall Street for life
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/14/u...
Reposted by Holly Pettit
Margaret Cavendish, one of the first women writers to publish under her own name, died #onthisday in 1673. Read about her proto-sci-fi fantasy The Blazing World, and what it can teach us about empire, gender + imagination in the seventeenth century: publicdomainreview.org/essay/m... #OTD
December 15, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Margaret Cavendish, one of the first women writers to publish under her own name, died #onthisday in 1673. Read about her proto-sci-fi fantasy The Blazing World, and what it can teach us about empire, gender + imagination in the seventeenth century: publicdomainreview.org/essay/m... #OTD
Reposted by Holly Pettit
If you're having trouble forgiving, forgetting & just letting sh*t slide off your back, there's a post for you. Those ancient monks knew a thing or two re: the human condition.
Surviving crappy political times? They literally wrote the book. #SpiritualSky
hollypettit.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Surviving crappy political times? They literally wrote the book. #SpiritualSky
hollypettit.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How to Make Peace with Yourself: Ancient Christian Guidance for a Turbulent World
“Make peace with yourself,” taught St. Isaac the Syrian, “and heaven and earth will make peace with you.” A reflection on inner healing in a volatile world.
hollypettit.substack.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:34 PM
If you're having trouble forgiving, forgetting & just letting sh*t slide off your back, there's a post for you. Those ancient monks knew a thing or two re: the human condition.
Surviving crappy political times? They literally wrote the book. #SpiritualSky
hollypettit.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Surviving crappy political times? They literally wrote the book. #SpiritualSky
hollypettit.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
Andrew Tate's back in the news, and so is my piece on the roots of douchebaggery.
It's got a kickass goddess and everything. Enjoy!
#PaganSky #FeministSky #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
It's got a kickass goddess and everything. Enjoy!
#PaganSky #FeministSky #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Men Who Silenced Asherah Still Silence Women Today
How erasing the divine feminine in ancient Israel laid the groundwork for today’s misogyny.
medium.com
December 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Andrew Tate's back in the news, and so is my piece on the roots of douchebaggery.
It's got a kickass goddess and everything. Enjoy!
#PaganSky #FeministSky #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
It's got a kickass goddess and everything. Enjoy!
#PaganSky #FeministSky #ProgressiveChristian
medium.com/backyard-the...
I thought I’d put these out to help others in the dark part of the year…
…but turns out writing these are doing wonders for shoring up my own sanity in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
#Advent #InnerPeace #Spirituality
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
…but turns out writing these are doing wonders for shoring up my own sanity in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
#Advent #InnerPeace #Spirituality
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
How to Protect Your Inner Peace: Ancient Christian Wisdom
“Do not give your heart to what disturbs your peace,” taught Abba Poemen. This Advent reflection explores boundaries, emotional sobriety, and the practice of spiritual clarity.
open.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
I thought I’d put these out to help others in the dark part of the year…
…but turns out writing these are doing wonders for shoring up my own sanity in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
#Advent #InnerPeace #Spirituality
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
…but turns out writing these are doing wonders for shoring up my own sanity in ways I didn’t even know I needed.
#Advent #InnerPeace #Spirituality
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
There are a dozen world religious festivals in December. Find one that allows guests, be respectful, & strike up conversations with congregation members when possible. You'll get a #spirituality boost in a new flavor, meet people, and have fun! #Interfaith hollypettit.substack.com/p/there-are-...
There Are No False Religions: A Christian Case for Interfaith Openness
A Christian on why the idea of ‘false religions’ contradicts Jesus’ teaching—and how honoring other faiths is faithfulness, not betrayal.
hollypettit.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:56 PM
There are a dozen world religious festivals in December. Find one that allows guests, be respectful, & strike up conversations with congregation members when possible. You'll get a #spirituality boost in a new flavor, meet people, and have fun! #Interfaith hollypettit.substack.com/p/there-are-...
Okay, I’m tired of hearing folks blame “false religion” on whatever societal ill they’re complaining about at the moment.
Life, the human heart, our #spirituality & the world itself are all more complex and beautiful than that.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Life, the human heart, our #spirituality & the world itself are all more complex and beautiful than that.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
There Are No False Religions: A Christian Case for Interfaith Openness
A Christian on why the idea of ‘false religions’ contradicts Jesus’ teaching—and how honoring other faiths is faithfulness, not betrayal.
open.substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Okay, I’m tired of hearing folks blame “false religion” on whatever societal ill they’re complaining about at the moment.
Life, the human heart, our #spirituality & the world itself are all more complex and beautiful than that.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Life, the human heart, our #spirituality & the world itself are all more complex and beautiful than that.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Early Christian mystics taught that peace rests not on the strong but on the humble. This Advent reflection explores how yearning—not certainty—is where divine gentleness finds us.
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Non-canonical texts reveal their richness again.
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substack.com/profile/1194...
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Non-canonical texts reveal their richness again.
.
substack.com/profile/1194...
Holly Pettit (@hollypettit)
Early Christian mystics taught that peace rests not on the strong but on the humble. This Advent reflection explores how yearning—not certainty—is where divine gentleness finds us.
Non-canonical text...
substack.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Early Christian mystics taught that peace rests not on the strong but on the humble. This Advent reflection explores how yearning—not certainty—is where divine gentleness finds us.
.
Non-canonical texts reveal their richness again.
.
substack.com/profile/1194...
.
Non-canonical texts reveal their richness again.
.
substack.com/profile/1194...
I’m worried an out what I was hearing coming out of the Supreme Court today.
Focusing on Day 9 of #Advent.
First day of the week of #Peace.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Focusing on Day 9 of #Advent.
First day of the week of #Peace.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
How the Gospel of Mary Teaches Real Peace
What the Gospel of Mary reveals about finding peace when your life feels unsteady.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:24 AM
I’m worried an out what I was hearing coming out of the Supreme Court today.
Focusing on Day 9 of #Advent.
First day of the week of #Peace.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Focusing on Day 9 of #Advent.
First day of the week of #Peace.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Okay, I NEVER read Revelation & consider it a waste of pulp wood at best. My random opening of the Bible today took me here:
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;
let the vile person continue to be vile...(con't)...
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;
let the vile person continue to be vile...(con't)...
December 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Okay, I NEVER read Revelation & consider it a waste of pulp wood at best. My random opening of the Bible today took me here:
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;
let the vile person continue to be vile...(con't)...
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong;
let the vile person continue to be vile...(con't)...
Happy Friday and Day 6 of Advent. Anyone out there feeling a bit worn & gritty right now? I am, so ditched the cheery post I had prepared for this one, which is more on brand for this moment in history.
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Origen: God Remakes Us From Our Broken Pieces
Daily Centering for December 5 — Sixth Day of Advent (Week of Hope)
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Happy Friday and Day 6 of Advent. Anyone out there feeling a bit worn & gritty right now? I am, so ditched the cheery post I had prepared for this one, which is more on brand for this moment in history.
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Love, peace, and hope to all of you out there. We need it.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
America has always practiced a quiet form of democratic socialism — long before the word became a political weapon.
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
Barn Raisings, Breakfast Programs, and the Spirit of American Democratic Socialism
From frontier towns to the Poor People’s Campaign, a quiet tradition of collective care runs through American life.
medium.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
America has always practiced a quiet form of democratic socialism — long before the word became a political weapon.
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
We had barn raisings, free breakfast programs, Shaker equality, labor movements, Martin Luther King’s Poor People’s Campaign, and mutual aid societies.
medium.com/minds-withou...
The supermoon is too bright for this to truly be a dark night—with the snow on the ground reflecting all that light, you could probably read a book in my front yard right now. If you do, make it Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross for the 5th day of Advent.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Work God Does in the Dark
Daily Centering for December 4 — Fifth Day of Advent -- John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul, II.16
open.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:51 AM
The supermoon is too bright for this to truly be a dark night—with the snow on the ground reflecting all that light, you could probably read a book in my front yard right now. If you do, make it Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross for the 5th day of Advent.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Reposted by Holly Pettit
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Why Celsus Couldn’t Stand the Early Christians — and Why Origen Couldn’t Let It Go
A witty, historically grounded, longform romp through the ancient world’s most entertaining intellectual cage match.
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Why Celsus Couldn’t Stand the Early Christians — and Why Origen Couldn’t Let It Go
A witty, historically grounded, longform romp through the ancient world’s most entertaining intellectual cage match.
open.substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Those philosophical feuds of the Roman Empire were pretty serious in 248 CE.
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
#philosophysky
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Jean Vanier's gone, but his words remain to show us how to face despair and live life head-on.
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
Jean Vanier & the Response to Despair
Daily Centering for December 3 -- Fourth Day of Advent
hollypettit.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Jean Vanier's gone, but his words remain to show us how to face despair and live life head-on.
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
His life is a blueprint for finding and maintaining #hope.
#Advent
hollypettit.substack.com/p/the-respon...
The young me didn’t want some old-school, buttoned-down #theologian casting dirt on my wild, beautiful, hard-won path to God.
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Sermon That Ended My Preaching Career
For years, I carried a grudge against my stuffy, conservative professor. Now I wonder what I missed.
medium.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The young me didn’t want some old-school, buttoned-down #theologian casting dirt on my wild, beautiful, hard-won path to God.
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
Decades later, I’m still wrestling with his ghost.
medium.com/backyard-the...
The Secret Candle
Daily Centering for December 2 — Third Day of Advent in the week of Hope.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Real #leadership points beyond itself, to something larger—to principle, to history, to helping the smallest rise up and join their fellows at the harvest table.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Quiet Shape of Real Power
Cincinnatus, Washington, Woolman, and Pope Leo XIV all point to the same truth: real leadership begins with humility.
open.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Real #leadership points beyond itself, to something larger—to principle, to history, to helping the smallest rise up and join their fellows at the harvest table.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
1970’s version of The Game of Life — the one that allows gambling. I just lost a bet after giving everyone a long lecture on the mathematics involved in betting.
November 28, 2025 at 2:24 AM
1970’s version of The Game of Life — the one that allows gambling. I just lost a bet after giving everyone a long lecture on the mathematics involved in betting.
I wrote a short piece about why true power is soft — not weak, but the kind of strength that listens, makes room, and doesn’t need to dominate.
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
The Quiet Shape of Real Power
Cincinnatus, Washington, Woolman, and Pope Leo XIV all point to the same truth: real leadership begins with humility.
open.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I wrote a short piece about why true power is soft — not weak, but the kind of strength that listens, makes room, and doesn’t need to dominate.
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...
Its true name is stewardship.
open.substack.com/pub/hollypet...