Money, Lies, and God

Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy

De: Katherine Stewart

Narrado por: Patricia Rodriguez

Bloomsbury presents Money, Lies, and God by Katherine Stewart, read by Patricia Rodriguez.

"An indispensable citizen’s guide to the anti-democratic MAGA Right in America."–Congressman Jamie Raskin

"Meticulously researched, elegantly written, and hard-hitting."–Kristin Kobes Du Mez

The acclaimed author of The Power Worshippers exposes the inner workings of the “engine of unreason” roiling American culture and politics.

Why have so many Americans turned against democracy? In this deeply reported book, Katherine Stewart takes us to conferences of conspiracy-mongers, backroom strategy gatherings, and services at extremist churches, and profiles the people who want to tear it all down. She introduces us to reactionary Catholic activists, atheist billionaires, pseudo-Platonist intellectuals, self-appointed apostles of Jesus, disciples of Ayn Rand, women-hating opponents of “the gynocracy,” pronatalists preoccupied with the dearth of white babies, Covid truthers, militia members masquerading as “concerned moms” and battalions of spirit warriors who appear to be inventing a new style of religion even as they set about attacking democracy at its foundations.

Along the way, she provides a compelling analysis of the authoritarian reaction in the United States. She demonstrates that the movement relies on several distinct constituencies, with very different and often conflicting agendas. Stewart’s reporting and comprehensive political analysis helps reframe the conversation about the moral collapse of conservatism in America and points the way forward toward a democratic future.

©2025 Katherine Stewart (P)2025 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Must read for all who value democracy!

For anyone whom might feel discouraged and disconnected at our current political climate, this excellent work both educates and resurrects hope for a path forward.

Wake-up Call for Democracy Supporters

Critically important info for any rational, critical thinker who is committed to democracy and the country

Money, Lies, and God is an eye-opener

Katherine Stewart’s Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy is an indictment of the far-right coalition threatening U.S. democratic institutions. The goal of this network of ultra-wealthy donors, think tanks, and religious groups is nothing less than the dismantling of American democracy. They want to blow it up and replace it with a minority rule autocracy.

This didn't begin with Donald Trump's election, and it won't end when he leaves office. Its ideology is termed “reactionary nihilism,” and it seeks to replace democracy with a theocratic, white Christian nationalist order. It rejects pluralism, rational debate, and the rule of law, embracing violence and bigotry as tools of control. It is a long-term, well-organized, grass-roots effort that starts with attacks on our public school system to destroy it entirely and create a generation of ignorant, malleable people.

This book is a call to recognize the existential threat to democracy, urging citizens to confront the networks of oligarchic power and religious ideology reshaping America. Rational people must wake up and oppose this movement in any way possible.

Powerful and Important work.

Katherine Stewart’s Money, Lies, and God is a deeply researched and convicting analysis of how Christian nationalism operates as a political identity rather than a religious movement. She exposes the ways in which wealth disparity, public education, and religious institutions are leveraged to erode democracy and consolidate power among a select few.

At its core, Stewart argues that Christian nationalism is not about faith but about political and economic control. It exploits religious language and institutions to advance an anti-democratic, authoritarian agenda that prioritizes power and profit over genuine spiritual values. The book highlights how public education has been under attack—not just for ideological reasons, but to redirect public funds into private, often religious, institutions that cultivate compliance and reinforce conservative economic structures.

Stewart also dismantles the myth that the “war on woke” is a battle between everyday Americans and elites. Instead, she presents it as an internal class struggle among the upper middle class, driven by resentment and the protection of privilege. The far-right movement, while appearing united, is riddled with contradictions—claiming to support workers while catering to corporate interests, advocating for free speech while banning books, and promoting religious freedom while pushing for theocratic control.

One of the book’s most urgent warnings is that extreme wealth inequality is corroding democracy. Economic disparity fuels division, making people more susceptible to disinformation and authoritarian narratives. Meanwhile, the co-mingling of church and state has created a financial and political pipeline that allows tax-exempt religious institutions to act as unregulated political machines.

Stewart offers a call to action: knowledge and organization are the antidotes to rising authoritarianism. While the right has spent decades building a well-funded infrastructure of think tanks, media outlets, and political networks, pro-democracy movements must adopt a similar long-term strategy. She urges readers to engage in their communities—supporting public education, holding churches accountable, and mobilizing against the erosion of democratic institutions.

In short, Money, Lies, and God is a wake-up call to recognize the forces undermining democracy and the urgent need for action. It is both a critique and a roadmap for those who believe in a just, inclusive society.

Excellent! A must read for anyone who values democracy.

A deep dive into the factors driving Christian Nationalism and its hidden anti-democratic agenda. Excellent writing from a trained journalist who brings lofty and heavy intellectual concepts down onto the “bottom shelf”. Highly recommend.

Finally, An Explanation As To What The Hell Is Going On

The amazing amount of information that was presented. What we chose to do with this information matters, more than ever. Get, Be, and Stay as Informed as you can.

Enlighten ing read. Well researched and written.

This book sheds light on what is currently happening in the USA. This is the most turbulent period of history in my life and this book tells us why.

Finally It All Is Spelled Out

This book pulls together all the currents creating our critical times. A MUST READ AND HEAR.

Biased book, obvious left opinion not worth reading

almost immediately you know what her agenda is, to sell a poor book. seems like a racist author trying to make a buck. even if your far left... i wouldn't waste your time or money on this one. look at her history and focus on a more neutral perspective

A mixed bag

A good reference work perhaps but almost too much detail in spots, at least for a casual reader. The list of organizations and persons would put a Russian novel to shame. It does do a very good job of documenting the threat of antidemocratic movements in the US. At times it can tend to merely drive into the ditch on the other side of the road in painting opponents in the harshest possible light (e.g. in describing the pro-life movement).