RNS Morning Report - The religious zeal of the ‘looksmaxxer’

Golden ratios “My name is Clavicular. I’m 20 years old. I believe in looksmaxxing — the idea of maximizing physical attractiveness by any means necessary in order to ascend.” Clavicular, legally Braden Peters, has become the face of an online community of men who see physical transformation as a moral imperative — achieved through self-denial and the relentless pursuit of an ideal form. Peters, who has said he is Catholic, speaks about self-optimization in the language of religion: discipline, hierarchy, “ascension.” But as religious scholars and Catholics in his orbit told RNS reporter Fiona Murphy, the ethos resembles an inverted asceticism: a life of sacrifice and perfection devoted not toward a higher power, but toward the self. Read Murphy’s full report below on the religious logic driving looksmaxxing’s true believers. Top Stories Looksmaxxing, Catholicism and the new discipline of the body (RNS) — For Braden Peters, known as Clavicular, looksmaxxing, a total devotion to self-optimization, is aimed at improving every aspect of life, from physical appearance to status, often framed in a language of discipline, hierarchy and 'ascension.' ‘Pharaoh does not win’: An interfaith vigil kicks off NYC’s ‘No Kings’ march NEW YORK (RNS) — Just ahead of Passover and Holy Week, clergy invoked the biblical stories of liberation and resistance to mobilize faithful ahead of the city's march. Is there a Catholic revival? Pope Leo seems to think so. MONACO (RNS) – As 70 new catechumens are preparing for baptism in the tiny country, Pope Leo pointed to a growing — if uneven — interest in Catholicism among young people across Europe and beyond. In Monaco, Pope Leo reminds Europe to use wealth responsibly MONACO (RNS) — In a country where vast wealth is concentrated within just 0.81 square miles, Pope Leo XIV challenged residents to share their riches, warning against the ‘idolatry of power and money’ in a world marked by war and inequality. Opinion Locked gates and silenced prayers in Jerusalem demand immediate action (RNS) — The closures at the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre are not about security, but control of Palestinian Christians and Muslims. Faith leaders’ activism shows organized religion can still be a force for good (RNS) — Before the deportation crackdown began, ministers of all faiths had been supporting social justice movements, not leading them. In recent months, they have rediscovered their historic roles. ICYMI How the Bible became bingeable (RNS) — Wonder Project announced a new special, "The Old Stories: Moses," which will release this spring. It's the latest in a slew of streamable Bible content. A Catholic school teacher was fired after he married a man. Now, a church debuts his film. NEW YORK (RNS) — 'This piece is not about pointing fingers,' said writer, actor and former music teacher Matthew LaBanca. 'It’s about sharing the emotional struggle that somebody goes through, and the freedom that I have to share it because I didn’t sign anything.' Support Our Work As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com. Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend. Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205

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