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

Listen to this episode from The Holy Post on Spotify. 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   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying  purchases.