657: The Government, God, & Grift with Katherine Stewart

Since WWII, the United States has been actively engaged in foreign aid as part of its strategic foreign policy, and Christians of all theological and political views have broadly supported this effort. In the first month of the Trump administration, however, Christians on the far right have suddenly turned against international aid. What’s behind this change and are there parallels on the religious left? And what does it mean when MAGA Catholics are arguing directly with Pope Francis about immigrants, refugees, and the poor? Author and journalist, Katherine Stewart, has investigated the religious nationalist movement for 15 years. She says there’s a major disconnect between the super-rich funding the movement (many aren’t even Christians), and the average white evangelicals caught up in its conspiracy theories and events. She talks with Skye about her new book, “Money, Lies, and God.” Also this week—Phil looks at larvae and sees the face of God.

 

World Relief Advocate:

https://worldrelief.org/advocate/

 

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/122502748/

Ad-Free version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/122579252/

0:00 - Show Starts

 

2:28 - Theme Song

 

2:50 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

 

3:55 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off

 

5:32 - News of the Termite-Faced Butts!

 

12:03 - Space Force Skye

 

19:20 - Is Humanitarian Aid Biblical?

 

24:32 - Romans 13

 

37:35 - Are Anti-Foreign Aid Arguments Consistent?

 

51:35 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu

 

52:28 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to download your family refugee guide and learn more about the Path Community

 

53:44 - Interview

 

57:03 - Information Bubbles

 

1:03:33 - Is this All a Grift?

 

1:10:11 - The Inconsistencies of MAGA

 

1:20:17 - Red Caesar

 

1:25:52 - End Credits

 

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

World Relief Advocate:

https://worldrelief.org/advocate/

 

Termite-Face-Butts!

https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/moroccan-fly-maggot-uses-fake-face-on-its-butt-to-infiltrate-termite-colony

 

Pope Francis and American Catholics Clash:

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/pope-francis-jd-vance-immigration-tom-homan-rcna192291

 

Trump Demonizes Faith-Based Partners and Government Grants

https://religionnews.com/2025/02/12/is-taking-government-money-a-sin-for-churches-and-ministries-or-a-liberal-plot/?utm_medium=social

 

Other resources:

Money, Lies and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy by Katherine Stewart: https://a.co/d/b85D6UN

 

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