31. Katherine Stewart on Money, Lies & God: How Billionaires Weaponised Religion to Undermine Democracy
05/07/25 • 34 min
Katherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author, who has investigated the rise of religious nationalism and its impact on democracy for over 15 years. Her work appears in The New York Times and The New Republic. She is the author of The Good News Club, The Power Worshippers, and the new release Money, Lies, and God.
Key Topics Covered
- How the "Good News Club" exposed the stealth strategies of religious nationalists.
- The roots of Christian nationalism and its alliance with billionaires.
- Why abortion became a political weapon, not a religious crusade.
- How authoritarian leaders use religion to shield power globally.
- What gives hope — and how to fight back against democratic erosion.
Follow Katherine Stewart
- Website
- The Power Worshippers
- The Good News Club
- Money, Lies, and God (Pre-order now)
- Bluesky Social
- Twitter/X
Resources Mentioned
- Christians Against Christian Nationalism
- Vote Common Good
- God & Country documentary (based on The Power Worshippers)
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Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live
Contact us at [email protected]
Katherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author, who has investigated the rise of religious nationalism and its impact on democracy for over 15 years. Her work appears in The New York Times and The New Republic. She is the author of The Good News Club, The Power Worshippers, and the new release Money, Lies, and God.
Key Topics Covered
- How the "Good News Club" exposed the stealth strategies of religious nationalists.
- The roots of Christian nationalism and its alliance with billionaires.
- Why abortion became a political weapon, not a religious crusade.
- How authoritarian leaders use religion to shield power globally.
- What gives hope — and how to fight back against democratic erosion.
Follow Katherine Stewart
- Website
- The Power Worshippers
- The Good News Club
- Money, Lies, and God (Pre-order now)
- Bluesky Social
- Twitter/X
Resources Mentioned
- Christians Against Christian Nationalism
- Vote Common Good
- God & Country documentary (based on The Power Worshippers)
🙏 Support Humanism Now!
Love what we do? Become a sponsor or supporter via Patreon and help us keep bringing thoughtful conversations to life. Every pledge helps.
Support us on PatreonAdvertising opportunities
Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics.
Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod
Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live
Contact us at [email protected]
Previous Episode
30. S.I. Martin on Uncovering Britain's Hidden Histories & the Power of Storytelling
"Isn't it true that we are the stories we tell ourselves?" — S.I. Martin
This week on Humanism Now, we’re joined by S.I. Martin—historian, author, and patron of Humanists UK—whose work has reshaped how we understand Black British history and the power of storytelling.
From his upbringing in a religious family in Bedford to decades spent uncovering erased narratives, Steve shares how early exposure to music, books, and doubt led him to scepticism and ultimately humanism.
We discuss:
- The importance of embedding Black British history into everyday landscapes and classrooms
- Robert Wedderburn, revolutionary preacher and free thinker
- Unique challenges faced by Black atheists in religious communities
- How historical fiction can reshape cultural imagination and offer new identities
- Why humanist groups must evolve to become more inclusive, especially for younger generations
- The hidden social history of Black-owned pubs in 18th- and 19th-century London
Explore S.I. Martin’s work:
📺 A History of Black Freethought (Humanists UK Convention 2023)
📺 The Beliefs of Black Georgians (Humanist Heritage)
Support us on PatreonAdvertising opportunities
Click here to submit questions, nominate guest & topics.
Follow Humanism Now @HumanismNowPod
Humanism Now is produced by Humanise Live
Contact us at [email protected]
Humanism Now - 31. Katherine Stewart on Money, Lies & God: How Billionaires Weaponised Religion to Undermine Democracy
Transcript
Welcome to the Humanism Now podcast . I'm your host , james Hodgson .
Speaker 1Catherine Stewart is an award-winning journalist and author who writes about the intersection of faith and politics , policy and education and the threat to democratic institutions .
Speaker 1Catherine has been covering religious nationali
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