The web can be an overwhelming place, especially when it comes to blogs. Blogs (short for weblogs) can be anything from personal diaries to daily screeds about current events. Most blogs are written by regular folks with strong opinions and a considerable amount of free time. While the most famous blogs (Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, Slashdot, Gawker) tend to be in the political, technical, or media arenas, spiritual bloggers are increasingly carving out their own section of the blogosphere.
Like most blogs, faith-based blogs tend to be highly opinionated and often include funny personal anecdotes. But their content is also unique--many spiritual blogs are written by people seriously engaging with and struggling with their faith. Some bloggers write specifically about sacred texts (check out Dylan's Lectionary Blog or the Hadeeth blog). Others are more culturally oriented, covering the ways faith intersects with the arts and politics.
Not every spiritual blog is worth reading, of course. Many blogs aren't updated frequently; others are updated far too often with everyday minutiae. Some blogs function as the daily organs of established media outlets or institutes. Beliefnet has chosen to highlight some of the best spiritual blogs on the web. These blogs are all worth checking in with daily or weekly. The list is far from exhaustive--with seemingly endless numbers of blogs for every religion (for example, this list of Quaker blogs, My Scientology Blog, this Unitarian Universalist blog), we couldn't begin to try to accomplish that.
We'll keep updating this list with our favorite picks as we discover new blogs. And we encourage you to submit your own favorites by posting on the message board to the right.
General Religion Blogs
The Revealer
http://www.therevealer.org
The Revealer, run out of New York University's Center for Religion and Media, describes itself as a "daily review of religion and the press." Though a big part of its mission is to review how religion is portrayed in the media, it's a great place to start for the latest--and often obscure--religion news, as well as excellent links to a wide range of religion news resources and other blogs.
Get Religion
http://getreligion.typepad.com
This joint blog between conservative-leaning religion reporters Terry Mattingly and Douglas LeBlanc offers smart analysis of major religion stories and how they're reported in the mainstream press.
Also check out:
This longtime Beliefnet favorite is currently down for maintenance, but well worth a look when it's back online.
Christian Blogs
Relapsed Catholichttp://www.relapsedcatholic.com
There are dozens of well-written and frequently updated Catholic blogs, but Relapsed Catholic seems to be a must-read for the Catholic community. It bills itself as one of the oldest and most popular blogs around. The blogger, Canadian journalist Kathy Shaidle, offers a conservative take on Catholicism, politics, and other religions (and often links to Beliefnet's Loose Canon).
Evangelical Outpost
http://www.evangelicaloutpost.com
This is a conservative blog from an "evangelical worldview." The posts are intelligent and cover a wide variety of topics, from science to the media to discussing "What's an Evangelical?" Evangelical Outpost includes a frequent series called "Know Your Evangelicals," a brief bio of important people in the evangelical community, like Chuck Colson, T.D. Jakes, and Jim Wallis.
The Village Gate(Formerly The Right Christians)
http://www.therightchristians.org
A progressive Christian blog, whose goal is to bring more attention to the role of liberal Christians in the public arena. The Village Gate is managed by a Lutheran pastor but functions as a gathering place for other progressives and relevant blogs.
ChristDothttp://christdot.org
ChristDot describes itself as "News for Jesus Freaks." It offers short takes on Christian news and, unlike many Christian blogs, doesn't claim a political affiliation.
Also check out:
A compilation of Christian weblogs
Another popular Catholic blog
A Mormon blog, with links to many others
Jewish Blogs
The Velveteen Rabbi
http://velveteenrabbi.blogs.com
Among the many personal Jewish blogs on the web, this is one of the best. The blog entries are beautiful musings on prayer, holidays, blessings, and Jewish spirituality. The writer, Rachel Barenblat, who is not actually a rabbi, also offers a Beliefnet-like mix of posts about other religions and traditions.
The Jewsweek Bloghttp://www.jewsweek.com
The "Yada yada yada blog," the weblog of the weekly online magazine Jewsweek, is a fun read for the latest celebrity kabbalah news, unusual Jewish links, and other Jewish-related gossip.
Kosher Blog
http://www.kosherblog.net
This blog is a frequent update of news in the kosher world--the writer taste-tests recipes and new products, and provides certification information. Indispensable for anyone who takes keeping kosher--and eating gourmet food--seriously.
Also check out:
Weblog about ancient Judaism (yet updated surprisingly often)
A daily roundup of Jewish literature and culture
Muslim Blogs
Dervish Du'a
http://www.maryams.net/dervish/
This Australian blogger calls herself a "modern dervish," someone in need of God's mercy. Her blog is often very personal but also includes good Muslim updates and opinions, as well as news about interfaith efforts between Muslims and Jews. The Dervish also links to a host of other religious blogs, not just her fellow Muslims, with symbols identifying which religion each is affiliated with.
Veiled4Allah
http://www.muhajabah.com/islamicblog/
veiled4allah.php
Frequent updates and commentary on Muslim news, as well as a comprehensive list of other Muslim blogs.
Islamic Parenting
http://islamicparenting.blogspot.com/
This unique blog by a Muslim mother recounts her struggles as a parent and a Muslim. She includes posts on "mindful parenting" and also posts a hadith that has helped keep her from yelling at her children.
Also check out:
Musings of a Muslim woman in New York
More Religious Blogs
Facing Inwardhttp://blogs.ashtangi.net/fiw
One of many yoga practice blogs, Facing Inward covers "motherhood, marriage, and yoga." The blogger discusses yoga classes and her daily practice, trying out new postures and new yoga products, as well as personal stories.
Also check out:
A "central resource" for yoga blogs. Some of the other yoga practice blogs have slightly more Hindu-oriented content.
Woodmoor Village Zendohttp://www.woodmoorvillage.org/zendo
A great-looking and frequently updated weblog about Buddhist news and practice. Offers thoughts on family, politics, and Buddhist basics. Posts include essays on mindful politics and walking meditation.
Also check out:
Recently covered the Dalai Lama, Buddhist charity, and more
Was It the Pagan Remark?
http://apagans.lifeontheridge.com/index.html
Blog of a Pagan mother. Many entries are personal, but items also include a discussion of "The Decline of Wicca & The Return of Paganism." Includes links to many other pagan blogs.
Also check out:
Plus, in the not-so-religious
category:
The Raving Atheisthttp://ravingatheist.com
Commentary about religion, politics, culture, and law from an atheist point of view. Great source for news relevant to non-believers and other atheist blogs.
Clergy Blogs
Reverend Ref
http://reverendref.blogspot.com/
Written by an Episcopal priest in Montana, this blog is a good mixture of personal diary and Gospel analysis. But its best feature is the list of links to other Christian clergy blogs.
The Pope Blog
http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com
While this one isn't written by the clergy member in question, it is a digest of news about Pope John Paul II. The bloggers, students at the University of Notre Dame, frequently update readers on the Pope's speeches, travel, and health.
