Straight White American Jesus

How Opus Dei Infiltrated DC and the World

Oct 7, 2024

Journalist Gareth Gore, author of "Opus," uncovers the secretive world of Opus Dei, tracing its origins from Franco's Spain to its current influence in U.S. politics. He reveals their authoritarian tactics aimed at reshaping society, including manipulation of key figures through blackmail. The conversation highlights Opus Dei's rise during the Reagan era and its ongoing impact on America today, showcasing connections to powerful players and the organization's controversial plans to re-Christianize the world.

44:49

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Episode guests

Gareth Gore

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Opus Dei employs authoritarian strategies to influence U.S. politics by targeting elite individuals to propagate their conservative agenda.

The organization's deeply manipulative recruitment methods prioritize psychological coercion, diminishing personal freedoms in pursuit of its agenda.

Deep dives

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Intro

3min

The Financial Web of Opus Dei

16min

Manipulation and Authority: The Tactics of Opus Dei

3min

The Influence of Opus Dei on Power and Democracy

3min

The Rise and Impact of Opus Dei

15min

The Charismatic Influence of Father John McCloskey in Washington, DC

2min

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Opus by Gareth Gore https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016145

I sit down with journalist Gareth Gore to dive deep into the shadowy world of Opus Dei, a secretive Catholic organization with a long history of manipulation and control. We talk about his eye-opening book, Opus, which traces the organization’s origins in Franco’s Spain and shows how it’s slowly, but surely, woven its way into the heart of U.S. politics—especially in Washington, D.C.

Opus Dei is often associated with conservative Catholicism, but Gareth explains that their methods go beyond just religious conservatism. We're talking authoritarian strategies aimed at gaining power by targeting influential people to push their agenda of re-Christianizing society. It’s a heavy topic, but incredibly relevant when you consider their rise during the 1980s under Pope John Paul II and the fact that they're still impacting American politics today, with major players like Leonard Leo and Kevin Roberts on board.

We also explore how Opus Dei isn’t just resisting democratic norms—they're actively trying to reshape society and the Church to fit their vision of control. This conversation is a real eye-opener, revealing the organization's lasting and dangerous influence on both religion and politics.

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