John Oliver segment on Televangelists

Televangelists have been exposed many times, but it doesn't stop them. They work on the same people who pay hundreds for exercise equipment and miracle diet pills that never end up using either.

The fact that one guy specifically targeted a debter makes sense.

By etiolation Go To Postthe same people who pay hundreds for exercise equipment

Wait, how much are you supposed to pay for exercise equipment?
But yeah, I know what you have in mind, the electricity bullshit and the shakeweights of the world...

I think it's interesting that televangelism does not exist in every developed country. Far from the case.

Between religious tax exemption, business exemptions and various other loopholes to make everyone else pay for your house, jet, whatever, it's basically a great white collar job.

still can't believe dude said "I got two jets paid cash" like he in a rap video or some shit, loooool

They make everybody look like chumps. Athletes are all "look what I can acquire with a ball and some skills", Televangelists are just like "look what I can acquire with JESUS."

So much of religion is propagated in modern society that is strictly antithetical to the scripture is amazing. Especially protestants, which broke from mainstream Catholicism in part because folks were selling heaven tickets like televangelists.

By Trey Go To Poststill can't believe dude said "I got two jets paid cash" like he in a rap video or some shit, loooool

yeah, and the mails part was amazing too :lol

If they actually cracked down on stuff like this from an IRS law standpoint, I wonder if it would impair Scientology's ability to run.

By etiolation Go To PostIf they actually cracked down on stuff like this from an IRS law standpoint, I wonder if it would impair Scientology's ability to run.

maybe, but it's doubtful it would impair Cruise's

By Trey Go To PostSo much of religion is propagated in modern society that is strictly antithetical to the scripture is amazing. Especially protestants, which broke from mainstream Catholicism in part because folks were selling heaven tickets like televangelists.

Eh, they paint it like that for PR, it was often times disagreements with the Pope and his control/insertion into the politics of their domain. Look at Henry VIII.

I just finished the episode. I thought I knew how bad it was but I had no idea. That jet paid in cash bit was incredible. :/

It does not define protestantism of course, but the phenomenon is compatible with protestantism and its idea that God will give you what you deserve provided you're a good Christian. It's also compatible with the free-market kind of structure protestant churches have.

When Catholics did it in the US earlier in the 20th century, it was very different, more political. Either Charles Coughlin, a New Dealer later turned racist and anti-socialist, or Dorothy Day, who was absolutely great.

What was incredible was how utterly stupid the correspondence was just as an excuse to ask for more money.

"Here's an outline of my foot, draw yours and send me money"

"Here's some different color oil, place it on paper and send me money"

Literally the most arbitrary shit in the world.

(One of the many) things that was infuriating was the notion that not giving a tithe, or enough of a tithe was somehow "robbing God". Literally turning him into a tax collecting dictator

By etiolation Go To PostIf they actually cracked down on stuff like this from an IRS law standpoint, I wonder if it would impair Scientology's ability to run.

The IRS should crack down on any monies that aren't directly tied to charity for all religions / churches. The Mormons and Catholic churches, as well as some Protestant ones, definitely got some big money being spent in non charitable ways. I read that Americans tithe 85 billion a year to their religious sects. 85 fucking billion ...

That's like around what the food stamp program costs.

Segment was incredible..gotta start up a church!