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The Holy Post

656: Defunding USAID and Blue Like Jazz’s Gospel of Vibes with Ross Douthat

Feb 12, 2025
Ross Douthat, a New York Times columnist and author of "Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious," joins to discuss the implications of the White House defunding USAID, highlighting the impact on Christian relief organizations. They reflect on the cultural shift sparked by "Blue Like Jazz," weighing its critique of evangelicalism against the rise of vibes-based Christianity. Douthat argues for the relevance of faith in our secular world, emphasizing the need for community and deeper connections amidst a growing trend of individual spirituality.
01:28:39
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Episode guests

Ross Douthat

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The White House's decision to defund USAID significantly impacts Christian relief organizations that depend on its funding for humanitarian efforts.
  • The discussion reevaluates the influence of 'Blue Like Jazz' in popularizing a personal approach to faith, potentially fragmenting traditional Christian community engagement.

Deep dives

Defunding Foreign Aid and Its Impact

The decision by the White House to defund USAID, one of the largest foreign aid distributors, is framed as a response to wasteful spending, such as frivolous projects like a DEI musical in Ireland. However, this move disproportionately affects Christian relief organizations, including World Relief and Catholic Charities, which heavily rely on USAID's funding for their humanitarian efforts. With significant budget cuts looming, these organizations face the potential of laying off staff and halting critical programs that aid vulnerable populations around the globe. The National Catholic Reporter has condemned these cuts as cruel, urging Catholics and others to advocate against this decision that undermines the United States' historical commitment to humanitarian ideals.

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