Conspirituality Bonus Sample: US v. Liberation Theology (Part 2)
Nov 3, 2025
In a deep dive into U.S. influence in Latin America, the discussion reveals how CIA funding targeted anti-Liberation Theology figures. Jesuit operative Roger Vekemans is spotlighted for his role in undermining Christian socialism. The conversation explores how Protestant missions shaped U.S. soft power in the region. A fascinating twist emerges with Pope Leo XIV’s support for the poor, countering capitalist individualism and rejecting old Marxist fears. The complexities of Liberation Theology are examined, highlighting its challenges to exclusionary politics.
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Evangelical Expansion As Cold War Strategy
- The U.S. used Cold War strategy to expand evangelical Christianity as a counterweight to Liberation Theology in Latin America.
- Evangelical emphasis on individual salvation aligned with capitalist and imperial interests by depoliticizing collective struggle.
Individualism Made Religion Compatible With Capitalism
- Evangelical focus on personal sin and prosperity redirected faith away from collective struggle and toward wealth accumulation.
- This theological shift made religion more compatible with capitalist individualism and less likely to support social justice movements.
The Boomerang Effect On U.S. Politics
- The engineered spread of individualized Christianity contributed to modern U.S. political fusions like Trumpism mixing self-help religion and nationalist myth.
- Remski frames this as a 'boomerang' where exported religious politics later returned to shape U.S. domestic politics.
