Health Care Sharing Ministries: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Health Care Sharing Ministries, or HCSMs, advertise themselves as a more affordable, faith-based alternative to health insurance. But John Oliver explains some of the massive limitations these plans can have.
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[@CHackl-ee5ob]

"It was down to healthcare or my student loans." Well I don't think there is a better way to describe America.

[@johnree6106]

Yep total BS victimhood people complaining look at poor me.

[@psuedonym9999]

@@johnree6106 Explain to me how this is justified.

[@sebastianliebmann6014]

good one

[@shridharbiju7370]

@@johnree6106 So are you saying that medical debt and predatory lending isn't a problem in America?

[@3_L_mafia]

Mmm what happened to Obamacare?

[@Jan_von_Gratschoff]

I had brain surgery for sub arachnoid hemorrhage 9 months ago, I spent 10 days in the hospital 4 of which in the ICU, and after getting released I've had all the cognitive function tests and epilepsy tests and 3 follow up CT scans. Now I'm in the clear and fully healed with no brain damage, and all in all the cost to me was the equivalent of around 400 dollars, including meds and everything, and I only had to pay half of that. Man I'm glad I was born in Finland.

[@felixphilippe7224]

that sound like a harry potter curse

[@Jan_von_Gratschoff]

@@felixphilippe7224 Sure as shit didn't feel like harry potter anything, when I suffered with my brain bleeding for 5 days thinking it was migraine at first, then called the ambulance on the fifth day, was already so out of it that I can't remember anything else than hearing the sirens and seeing the lights.

[@cateo.b.8043]

Texas born American here. I would have rather died. I never would have financially recovered from that. It sounds like it was incredibly painful and I’m glad you’re doing better but I honestly would have rather died than dealt with those bills afterward

[@tybooskie]

Had a doc look in my ear during an after hours appointment that literally lasted less than 6 minutes. $370

[@lifesignjohnson]

Shut up jerk. I mean glad for ya. 'merica

[@longjohn526]

All this proves what I've been saying for years Fewer Americans are going to church not because Americans are in moral decline but because the churches themselves are in moral decline

[@mustang8206]

Wait till you learn about the Catholic church in the dark ages

[@bubbledoubletrouble]

@KahlosHack “At least we don’t burn people at the stake any more” isn’t a particularly effective selling point.

[@LRM12o8]

People in America begin to realize that organized religion is just a way to control people through fear of being condemned and ostracized! 😀

[@debrabiderman4275]

On the money

[@bryanwatson123]

Truth!!!

[@AndyGilleand]

Noting that you brought up the BBB, it should be made pretty clear that the BBB is not a government organization, and a company can wipe their record on that site simply by paying "fines". In other words, it's basically a more official sounding yelp with more corruption. Perhaps you should do an episode on them.

[@Pogueconductor]

I agree omg god. This would be a good epsoide. I roll my eyes whenever someone uses the threat "I will complain to the BBB"

[@kagomeshuko]

Yes!!! An episode on the BBB would be awesome! I hate when people tell me to complain to the BBB. I tell them that it does NOTHING other than put a complaint online. It means nothing.

[@bidigitals]

Would LOVE to share a "Last Week Tonight" on the utterly corrupt BBB!

[@chelseahill2529]

"It was down to Healthcare or my student loans" guy sounds just like Steve-o

[@bahodej7505]

Customers think the BBB is a policing agency, it is not. "I'm going to get the BBB after you." Thank god they didn't leave a bad google review that would be worse

[@stephaniemiles5110]

My Dad was a Pastor and they dropped him when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

[@donnakaye2015]

I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. They dropped my sister when she got ovarian cancer. They did not even pay the bills she submitted before they dropped her. Heartless. Best wishes to your family.

[@stanislavmatousek9148]

terrible

[@Tina06019]

I am so sorry your father got so sick, and his religious group dropped him like that.

[@sarahoshea9603]

Organized religion is for economic and social networking; it is not a place to seek compassion or redemption.

[@AlloftheGoodNamesAreTaken]

@@sarahoshea9603 Yep. And enforcement of social norms.

[@cremetangerine82]

Honestly, the lack of healthcare coverage in one of the richest countries in the world is appalling. When Papua New Guinea has a paid maternity leave before the United States does, that’s really saying something. People can pray if they want, but that shouldn’t be a substitute for comprehensive health insurance!

[@MrMancreatedgod]

Agreed. Problem is too many think that's communism because they're unaware of the definition. It isn't even socialism. But that's a bad word too. Smh

[@buca9696]

Sorry we don't speak communist in freedom murica.

[@johnree6106]

Companies offer paid maternity leave in the United States. I still don't understand why you think that there's a lack of health care coverage.

[@pasmas3217]

@@buca9696 yeah... also knowledge or logic is also not spoken

[@skalyuzhny]

It is a shame. The health care industry wants money so bad they’ll influence the government representatives to side with them. They don’t lack health care coverage so why would they give a rats butt about anyone else.

[@hellogts]

Hmm, didn't Jesus heal prostitutes, sinners, etc? Or have I read a different Bible?

[@thomasvanstraelen5848]

Jesus was being nice to sinners so you don't have to.

[@jessicachamand8490]

Proof that is was never about beliefs. It's just a cover up.

[@cuttwice3905]

Worse, you understood the text and subtext, how DARE you actually have an intellectual approach to basic thought.

[@deusexaethera]

Oh Kenneth, being Christian isn't about being Christ-like. The entire religion is based on the premise that you can never live up to Jesus' standard, so just make sure you say you're sorry for being a loser at least once a week, and everything will be fine.

[@daeryxaqueryx]

No, you did read that in the Bible. It's just that the others didn't read the Bible at all.

[@boredonyoutube8289]

Denying a victim of assault is absolutely disgusting :(

[@spongeintheshoe]

What's really disgusting is calling it "self-inflicted" because it happened outside a bar.

[@kconway2263]

These are the same people who blame rape victims for their assaults. Of course what do we expect from those who brought us toxic purity culture, where men’s behavior is excused, and women are responsible not only for themselves but for every man on earth.

[@juliescott4473]

"Christians" - you know like that story in the bible where Jesus refused to heal a non Christian. Oh no, wait, the religious leaders told him to deny healing to a non Christian Roman and he scolded them, then healed the Roman anyways. I can see how that story is confusing.

[@RbNetEngr]

Jesus wasn’t a Christian…he was Jewish.

[@12x2richter]

@@RbNetEngr Yes, but "Christians" aren't Christians either. The quotes are important. Most "Christians" are just looking for forgiveness for what they just did the day before, and will do again tomorrow, and know that there IS a Bible, but don't know what's in it.

[@Demmrir]

Jesus was a religious radical who wanted to alter the dominant religion and railed against wealth while endorsing support for all. He was literally a radical liberal socialist. Any sensible American conservative would want to see Jesus burn in hell.

[@tirsden]

@@Demmrir - Jesus didn't exist. The story is a regurgitated ancient myth, see: Dionysis, et al.

[@DonMachado]

@@tirsden There is plenty of historical evidence that Jesus did, in fact, exist. Whether or not you believe him to be the son of god and capable of miracles is another thing entirely.

[@infinite_monkey590]

Remember what Jesus said: "Love thy neighbor as yourself - except if thy neighbor smokes, fucks, or has any fun in life at all. And of course that love is paid with money. No, that's totally not prostitution!"

[@Samson16436]

I wonder how they feel about mental health lol "Well you know trying to take your own life is your fault, your lifestyle choice" "Oh dear! Locked up in a psych facility to treat your psychosis? I will pray for the devil to leave your body"

[@mysticmoonlight7826]

@@Samson16436 They 100% just pray and don't send money for mental health I bet.

[@strawberrybird7319]

I love how Americans do literally everything to not get insurance. They even join a system where everyone is paying a small amount of money so the organization can pay for your bills with this money. You know, like all of us non-Americans, but somehow much worse.

[@lokisabriel]

My job is in dealing with insurance. These HCSMs don't pay anything.

[@AKGuerilla]

Health insurance is overpriced AF in the US, along with medical care and pharma goods.

[@horrorhotel1999]

@@AKGuerilla weird how that happens when yoi privatize a sector and companies start maximizing for profit

[@kyosokutai]

@@Nrokkll Clearly you do not.

[@rjrodrig]

Screw insurance. The fat cat is enjoying all the money all of us morons pay into it so he can get fatter ordering drinks and eating all day long...

[@ChrisBence]

“Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption” is so ridiculously funny

[@Teixas666]

aye rolls back to his previosu skit bout the fact the its very easy ot create a church as a means ot become Tax Exempt and how massively abusable that system is. or he has called " starting a religion is a magnificent way of making a sht ton of money"

[@rawmeseesoundsavvvy170]

😂

[@Bloodlyshiva]

@@Teixas666 I remember a similar phrasing attributed to L Ron Hubbard.

[@mundea]

Spoiler alert 😂

[@Tbass17]

I love that this gag came still come back years after it started

[@NikkiTrudelle]

The whole idea of the story of the Good Samaritan was the fact that they, a Samaritan, helped someone who was not part of their tribe. They are portraying that personification of the parable , by excluding people who aren’t like them from coverage. It’s like they didn’t even read the Bible

[@tekbarrier]

Damn, I didn't even think of it that way. That's an excellent point. And so typical of these people.

[@Apostate_ofmind]

jesus literally healed prostitutes, i wouldnt count on these people to actually read the bible, better not take the chance of turning atheist!

[@imtired1696]

They never do....

[@stefanetienney8351]

Even better, I think before the Good Samaritan bit, a few people from the man's own group walk by him without offering any help.

[@blechtic]

Also, just think of the implied racism in that parable..

[@Igor63749]

Love how Wanda Jo’s wig gets bigger every time

[@Stayathomecrazymom]

The higher the hair, the closer to God.

[@andrewhayes1420]

The irony of these people railing against socialized healthcare while also taking part in shittier socialized healthcare is...stunning.

[@boosted211]

It's only socialism if you call it socialism. Call it cake and everything is fine.

[@justsomeperson5110]

LOL I do love the irony of this scam. Socialism is bad, so join our religion-based plan where we share costs because it's what God would want us to do for one another.

[@xger21]

Yeah, but this one has Jesus, so clearly it's somehow not socialism

[@boosted211]

@@xger21 Jesus... The socialist.

[@horace6851]

@@boosted211 they're totally fine accepting social help (like farmers) they just don't want to be the ones contributing towards the even less fortunate. Hypocrisy of the republican voter.

[@rontavakoli-JD-MBA]

You, Mr. Oliver, are a national American treasure....without you, we would be less. I personally adore you and appreciate your brilliant insight into every aspect of our lives....and every ugly wrinkle of our inadequacies. I am in your debt sir

[@pandorasheir]

Hi there from Austria! After watching this, reading a lot of the American Health System and comparing it to the Austrian, another reason to love living here.. If you are insured here (you are,even in times of unemplyment), the maximum fees per Year for hospital visits are about 220 Euros, at the pharmacy you have to pay 6 Euros if you have a receipt, Going to the doc is free (when its a private doc the Insurance covers 80 %) and you can put all of this in your tax report.. 2019 I spent 2 months in coma in the ICU, had multiple Operations, 6 weeks of Reha and 6 Months in another Hospital afterwards...220€ Thx, Austrian Health Care System, you saved my life

[@lexslate2476]

Canadian here. When I get sick, I book an appointment or head down to an urgent care centre if it's particularly unpleasant. Sometimes there's a wait. People with more serious health problems go to the front of the line when they arrive for obvious reasons. Typically doesn't take long though. Then I go to the pharmacy to get whatever medication the doctor prescribed. Then I pay usually between zero and twenty dollars for it. Then there's no bill beyond that, because when you cut out the marketing and executive yacht budgets, health care costs way less than what Americans pay for it. Seriously y'all are being ripped off hard and it doesn't even buy better care.

[@kconway2263]

But at least we don’t have socialism. Besides Social Security, Medicare, the VA. And yes, I’m aware these aren’t really socialism. They’re social programs.

[@lexslate2476]

@@kconway2263 Help help i have fallen down the sar chasm. It's fine i don't need help really it's fun down here. Some things work well when privately owned, other things simply become a 24/7 festival of price gouging. Guess which category health care falls in to. :)

[@billybollockhead5628]

@@kconway2263surely hcsm, by definition are socialism?

[@2knight22]

Another Canadian. Even our system has problems but it's still much better than what the US has. Hopefully, the push for privatization in Canada fails and we can truly focus on improving our public health system.

[@mk1st]

Wouldn't have surprised me if the rejections came back with a note: "PRAY HARDER"

[@candaceclayton1043]

It has.

[@maxmacdeath]

Americans: "Health insurance is godless communism, so instead i go with an alternative that is basically the same as health insurance but worse in absolutely every conceivable metric"

[@89mike891]

Americans don't understand metric

[@jacintovski]

It's not Universal Healthcare that is godless communism now... IT'S FUCKING INSURANCE. WHAT THE HELL, AMERICA ML

[@Oleander410]

Despite widespread and constant demonstrations that privatized industries often provide worse products at higher costs than socialized versions in other countries, America continues to believe in the “free” market’s ability to solve literally anything.

[@TheRogueVandil]

@@89mike891 Ba-dum-tsss

[@ArtoriaZz2137]

"Health insurance is godless communism, so instead i go with an alternative that is based on communal... oh god oh fuck"

[@technicolormischief-maker5683]

“We don’t cover obesity-related troubles” You guys do realize that obesity is mostly rampant amongst the lower classes, right? Real Christian mindset you got there.

[@tomlxyz]

You think they want poor people?

[@josephinethornton3823]

Rachel Dratch is an endless gem. She makes everything shine. Bless her. BLESS HER. BLESS HER!

[@bluestate69]

from your lips to GOD'S bigger lips in the SKY!

[@ire1398]

I think her hair gets bigger with every skit they do.

[@DahomeyMino]

@@ire1398 I was thinking the same thing. The wig was killing me. I love it!

[@punklejunk]

M'Wanda Forevah! :D

[@AdamWestish]

I will bless her, mi'josephine!

[@vow4621]

I paid my premiums for 7 years without filling a single claim. Then I got oral thrush, a minor thing, but I had to get a prescription for the antifungal medication. One unnecessary doctor's appointment later, I get charged $200. My insurance company's response after paying them for 7 years with nothing in return? "Fuck off."

[@5urg3x]

Having healthcare tied to employment is responsible for insane amounts of depression, people working jobs they hate just for healthcare...ugh. I've been there!

[@frostfang1]

Which, ironically, increases your need to use that healthcare.

[@MastermindHen]

It's a feature, not a bug :)

[@worshipcatalyst1]

And now I want a can of surge. Thank you profile pic.

[@mookyss]

You can thank government regulation for that.

[@5urg3x]

@@mookyss Herp Derp government bad Derp

[@DriveKnightJaden175]

"We've had a successful history of sharing medical bills 100% for every eligible need ever submitted." Yeah no shit you deem every bill you don't share as inelligible

[@Vespyr_]

Yeah the nerve of that sentence. Like only a moron could miss the true message behind it.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@Vespyr_ The problem is that there are plenty of morons to go around.

[@acgonzales7]

Which their naïve and gullible members read as "every medical bill is covered 100%!"

[@christianc.christian5025]

When your beliefs on healthcare are basically “I hate the public option and will just pray for insurance,” you’re not going to have good medical outcomes.

[@jc.1191]

Ironic it's also public

[@benedictifye]

If you have bad outcomes it means God doesn’t love you. Pray harder.

[@pufthemajicdragon]

Yeah that "belief" does make it a bit more difficult to feel any sympathy for them. The daughter with the tumor, tho, I feel sympathy for her. How absolutely awful it must be to have such irresponsible parents.

[@solvseus]

Worse, they do still pay. That's what makes no sense to me. Should we go with the regulated actual insurance that may suck, but at least it's something? Then vote for people who actually want to make it better? No, we'll pay some randos who claim to be religious for what could be nothing, and no one is providing oversight. Some people get mad when you mock them for being stupid, but this is just stupid.

[@christianc.christian5025]

This all sounds like Satan-talk to me.

[@colinharter4094]

Even if the system were to be implemented perfectly, it would basically be Christian socialism, and at that point there's no excuse to not adopt universal health care instead.

[@creativecredence850]

Here, let me give you an American politics refresher: Socialism is when the _government_ does stuff, and if the government does a lot of stuff, that's communism.

[@silvasilvasilva]

Their excuse seems to be the "lifestyle" bit, where they can decide who gets treatment based on religious beliefs. Good old US...

[@SneakyBadAssOG]

If the system is rotten and corrupted it will always end up in gutter. I have single payer insurance as part of universal healthcare and so far it's two months to get a 15 bucks checks for a medical procedure the insurance company legally bound to with a contract.

[@Thebees21]

Even when they are taught it's wrong they still naturally grow towards what makes sense. But they do it in any way they can without being aware or admitting to it, and while only helping their own little clans instead of the country or world. That's what 80+ years of fear-mongering and barebones regulated capitalism does to a country I guess.

[@Stadtpark90]

When talking about „implemented perfectly“, you assume that there is a correct and unique Christian belief about what sickness is from a religious standpoint. But it’s a spectrum that might go from „Sickness is caused by the Devil, and we are paying for everything.“ to „Sickness is send from God as a punishment for your sins, and we’re not paying for your sins or interfering with Gods will.“ to: „If it gets better, this is a sign from God that you turned your life around, and then we’re paying. But if it doesn’t get better, you clearly refused God’s offer for forgiveness, and then there’s nothing we can do for you, you are clearly not praying hard enough and sincerely enough“ or any other ridiculous case in between. How would you „perfectly implement“ an idea that you haven’t even really agreed on in the first place. Ask the Pope? Not paying for „Life Choices“ and not paying for an innocent child having a brain tumor have one thing in common: not paying! They make the „reasons“ up as they go or after the fact. There’s no way to „perfectly implement“ what is insanity. P.S. of course any normal insurance will be having similar discussions and decisions about what is covered, but there at least it’s in the contract, and it doesn’t depend on wether someone thinks you are worthy in God‘s eyes. And nobody is pretending that their catalogue of covered treatments is depending on the right interpretation of God’s will. What I‘m getting at: this is a pretty ridiculous concept halfway between just begging for help („go fund me“) and a proper organization that was invented for that problem („insurance“). Even insurances are never „implemented perfectly“: emotions and beliefs should have nothing to do with it whatsoever: as soon as you start looking at single cases, you are making ethical choices, that should only depend on rational arguments: what is the minimum care everybody deserves, what is the chance for rehabilitation, what is the probable quantity or quality of life that can be regained etc. - these are difficult decisions, and the policy guidelines should have ideally be decided from a standpoint of anonymity, and personal beliefs should stay out of it as much as possible.

[@inscrutablemungus4143]

I'm a simple man. If I see the word "Ministry" in an ad, I'm noping the hell out.

[@deborah3250]

I agree. Unless it's "the mind is a terrible thing to taste" ministry, that one's ok.

[@_annoyed4692]

The Ministry of Silly Walks is not amused.

[@bryancouillard2016]

What's yours is mine. What's mine is mine. That's why it's called a Ministry. How hard is that to understand?

[@khettini]

That makes two us! Couldn’t agree more!

[@DMills-un1tl]

A friend referred me to one of these. I read the paperwork carefully and came away with the exact same take as he is purporting here. Needless to say I didn’t fall for this scam. Besides that, I don’t want someone who voted for Trump “praying” for me cuz I’m not at all sure who they’re praying to 🙄

[@nathienstanfield7320]

Pff. You know exactly who they pay homage to.

[@sjs9698]

@@nathienstanfield7320 ofc, their golden (spray-tanned) idol.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@sjs9698 And he sure as Hell won't answer.

[@wisleylau3149]

May Father John’s Church Of Revealing How Fucked Up Everything Is to get better in the future!

[@ezelfrancisco1349]

Praise be!

[@lundylow]

@Van To Without fail, cloudy river guy.

[@sternis1]

Praise be!

[@ZarkowsWorld]

@Van To Get lost spammer

[@ForeverMe543]

This episode had me FUMING!! Between the fat shaming Karen and the "she asked for it" because she was BEATEN leaving a bar...omg these people are the most evil of our kind

[@celtia6131]

religion will do that to you

[@darkstorminc]

Better to worship the old gods, at least then you can find one that fits your personality. Better choices with the same chance of having your prayers answered lol

[@apgmk1970]

I think this is great! The more evil they manage to be, the better. Religious scum keeping each other down and making the world a better place for decent folks. What's not to love?

[@jotabeas22]

@@apgmk1970 Wow, tipped your fedora too hard there, edgelord.

[@apgmk1970]

@@jotabeas22 Edgelord My ass. Religious fanatics are a force for evil. Everything that keeps them from spewing their venom is a good thing. Are you so brain-dead that you have to attack me instead of my statement? I sincerely pity you.

[@RodrigoCastroCh]

I love how they want to “stick it to the government” by creating a system that’s basically a worse form of socialized healthcare.

[@MzShonuff123]

Except they don’t seem to actually be getting any care paid for.

[@metteor8]

The conservatives are willing to do crazy things just to "stick it" to the liberals. They don't even care if they get hurt, as long as the liberals feel horrified.

[@ZgermanGuy.]

@@metteor8 so true Just remember during the first covid wave when they moved heaven and earth doing Olympic mental gymnastics not to wear a mask they are just a bunch of babys

[@ajspice]

@@metteor8 Liberty isn't sticking it to anyone. They went from 250,000 members to around 60,000 in 18 months. Of course this was AFTER they raised their prices during a pandemic that they refused to unconditionally share into like every other healthcare company on the planet.

[@chrissy5291]

My boyfriend kept urging me to watch this weeks episode because he was excited to tell me he bought the first aid kit for us. He’s a keeper. 😸💜

[@adventurenlifelive4031]

Never let that man go

[@MrTerrakotta]

@@adventurenlifelive4031 unless you get scratched three times, when you might need new guy with new kit.

[@Artyomthewalrus]

Incorrect. He bought the first aid kit for someone else - and then someone else paid for your first aid kit. Did you not even watch the episode? It's a community thing paying for other people's healthcare, not your own

[@ArcaneEther]

Production secret: Wanda's hair gets 5% larger on her every appearance.

[@ruthcastillo5571]

Only 5%?

[@iraqiwalker1436]

@@ruthcastillo5571 volumetric increments are staggering. 5% can surprise you in those calculations.

[@jackalakkin]

She's got enough hair for both of them

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Reminds me of those lovely Rococo dresses where the elegant ladies had to crab-walk through doors side-ways. Now I want weekly appearances of the Mega Wife Wanda even more than before. Didn't even think that was possible.

[@kmarklandes8630]

When is the hair going to have a life bird featured in her hair!

[@kenthan9388]

And Jesus spaketh: "that sounds like your goddamn problem"

[@justsomeperson5110]

I mean, you know, sure. It's easy to make it sound ludicrous by putting false words in the mouth of Jesus. BUT ... it's really not a stretch to put those words into the mouth of "God", à la the Old Testament. He was kind of a dick. Just ask Job. Or Moses. Whereas Jesus was a New Age hippie by comparison to his alleged father. Which is why it's really easy to believe in the Jewish perspective that Jesus wasn't God's son. They have some pretty distinct personality differences that are difficult to put together. LOL

[@hypernovaneedsachillpill7088]

I love that verse! Brittney 2:17!

[@HungerGamesFan88]

@@justsomeperson5110 you had me in the first half ngl, lmao. before that Read More I was prepared to get angee

[@SerenityM54L2SAM5L5N1]

Let's not forget that Jesus would prioritize those who truly deserve the help. Those who've lived morally righteous, cared for others, and fallen sick without being their fault.

[@kenthan9388]

@@justsomeperson5110 I mean.. I'm nothing like my father lol.

[@apurvapatel1013]

This sounds like socialized healthcare without any of the built-in social safety net. Like they decided to take the idea of single payer health care system, dumped in all the greed of private insurance companies, and took away the "insurance" part of it for good measure.

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

But they get unlimited prayers, so...

[@UrbanAllegory]

So, it's a con.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

@@AbsentWithoutLeaving They better include thoughts and hopes with those prayers! Just lump in all of the ineffective health care in one plan.

[@nlsantiesteban]

I’m conflicted. It strikes me that many of the people who picked these Healthcare Sharing Ministries did so out of some desire not to pay for other’s “bad decisions”. They now find themselves on the receiving end of making a bad personal decision.

[@UTArch1]

Welcome to the very definition of irony.

[@DS-vy1le]

🤣

[@leifmeadows3782]

Well, I don't know what bad decision the 11 year old made to get a brain tumor...

[@maebandy]

@@leifmeadows3782 clearly her parents didn't keep their front yard cut at homeowners association regulation height and didn't go into credit card debt to buy a less shameful wardrobe for church.

[@jolenejones6243]

No one can be a good enough Christian to some. Sounds like a bad mix of politics & religion. We're going to judge you before we pay. Uh, no thank you.

[@shawncouch2243]

You could do like my dad's bankruptcy lawyer suggested, go to the hospital and get all the tests, just all of them. Go for everything you need done. Wait three months, then file for bankruptcy. He didn't do it, but the lawyer actually suggested it.

[@Kaldorey]

Aaah, my weekly dose of "I've never been so happy to be European"

[@eivind-falk]

Yes, the US is every dystopian movie combined.

[@donnakaye2015]

Heavy sigh....I wish that I was European.

[@wuliajeber]

Adopt me please

[@gunnarschlichting9886]

Aaah, my weekly dose of "how the fuck is the US such a cesspool of absolute shi...oh yeah, unfettered capitalism."

[@donnakaye2015]

@@ASS_ault Don't be a wise guy.

[@eboknows9812]

I've been waiting for John and his crew to address these healthcare ministry frauds. Well done.

[@stylis666]

I've been blissfully ignorant of their existence on the other side of the ocean where I would probably had been locked up for premeditated murder if anyone I know was a part of such bigoted horseshit.

[@Tazirai]

We need universal health care, not religious organizations and their beliefs, determining who can and can't get health coverage. We also need to move Healthcare away from our jobs. It would be nice, if America joined the rest of the actual, free world.

[@jolenejones6243]

And I thought religion was just a way to get into heaven. Somebody had the idea--let's use it to bilk people out of money for healthcare services, and then turn down care for just about any reason imaginable.

[@nicholase2868]

@@jolenejones6243 it's the prosperity gospel all over again. "Send us your money and we will definitely heal you."

[@davesy6969]

The basic idea seems open to abuse, in this case by greedy insurance companies taking advantage of naive people. It's pretty clear what they're doing should be made illegal and this practice should be properly formalised and regulated.

[@ursamellis264]

It’s beyond messed up. The only reason I can’t just leave my job despite intense burnout and vicarious trauma is because everyone in my household has healthcare through my work (which I still have to pay for out of my paycheque). So I have to wait until I can get another job…during a pandemic.

[@ExPwner]

No. Having healthcare being determined by politics is morally even worse.

[@jessicabaker4883]

I am so grateful that you are bringing attention to this horrible scam. I was a member of Liberty Healtshare last year, out of financial necessity and I cannot emphasize enough how terrible my experience was. Nothing related to mental health was covered, no form on birth control was covered, and when I had to get my wisdom teeth out due to a painful infection, I had to pay the whole bill out of pocket. Additionally, Liberty also randomly hiked up the monthly bill by over $200 without any warning in the middle of the year. For a CHRISTIAN company to exploit and profit off of people in need is absolutely disgusting.

[@lovethieves1383]

Everyone knows religion is a business but in America, it's tax-free.

[@ChefAndyLunique]

The smirk I have on my face when John says “and the reason I know that is because…”. You just know some wild stuff is going down

[@alumpyhorse]

“You may remember, back in 2015 we founded a church-” Oh yes, John. You had me at “you may remember.”

[@jasperbobby350]

Thank you for watching for question guidance and support anytime just DM [phone] whatsapp

[@alumpyhorse]

dear Jasper, I’m not going to respond to you directly -to avoid any possibility of driving up your stats- but thank you for driving up the stats of this video. however might I suggest, besides finding another occupation, that you are doing no good here spamming on a John Oliver video. Perhaps try some far more gullible audiences. maybe over at OAN, or Fox, or Newsmaxx? Well, all best to you! (said chirpily)

[@spacki89]

"when their powers combine they get cancelled after two episodes" XD XD XD thanks to the writer who came up with that line, it actually made me LOL

[@lordoftheducks332]

As soon as I heard the Florida allows any group with a commonly held belief to found a health care sharing ministry, i knew EXACTLY where this was going

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

Yeah, my thought was immediately, "wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they set up a prank HCSM", and they did, in the most funny way possible, with a brilliant callback to the Religious Tax Exemption show…

[@WhiteVioletButterfly]

Healthcare in the US is so full of grifters and this is just another example.

[@f-ckmyr0fil617]

don

[@akmal94ibrahim]

US healthcare system is a scam within a scam on top of a scam. You have the hospitals billing an exorbitant amount, pharma industries jacking up drug prices, insurance companies doing all they can to avoid paying for your healthcare, and now of course, the scammiest of all the scams, religious ministries are joining in on it.

[@SharienGaming]

@X X then maybe it is time to embrace it =P

[@rijubidani689]

@X X Yeah, here in India lifesaving medicines are sold at prices so cheap practically anyone can afford it, so when I got COVID it didn't burn a hole in my pocket. I'm loving my communist healthcare, thank you very much.

[@J.Crime123]

@X X I wonder how many people will take what you wrote serious and don't realise that it's sarcasm.

[@bicpapermate]

I'm Canadian. Things like this make me so happy I have Universal Healthcare in my country.

[@DrGeoxion]

It never ceases to amaze me how much faith Americans have in faith itself...

[@steffen3382]

When it's all you have left....

[@deusexaethera]

This is what happens when a country is founded by, and populated by, the social outcasts from another continent.

[@steffen3382]

@@deusexaethera not entirely true , but a nice point.

[@DrGeoxion]

@@steffen3382 Well, they even pray for a medical procedure to go right. But if prayers are so good, then why'd you even need the procedure? Just pray for a cure, right?

[@steffen3382]

@@DrGeoxion if only prayers actually worked the world would be a wonderful place. Prayers are the tools for those with no other means. If other means are available but prayers are used instead, something is really wrong.

[@robertwilson973]

As an insurance agent, I've had issues with these plans for year. They are advertised as health care and are just a joke. That Cigna joke was right on too!

[@roodbennett]

This idea is what happens in Belgium. Everyone pays into the insurance fund, so EVERYONE is covered by insurance.

[@masondissick698]

I think people should know that any illness of a minor, regardless of parental income, can and will be covered by Medicare, there are specialists in every hospital who will do all the paperwork for you. All you have to do is answer their questions and accept the government's help.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Yep, but that's boring socialism, and that lovely image of heads bend in prayer and all-white, all-heterosexual faces and traditional values (as in: "hang somebody, burn the witch") is so ... ... well, stomach-turningly pasted-on to my mind, but apparently it works for republicans.

[@jolenejones6243]

Not sure you're correct there. But I had insurance for my kids when they were under 18. However, I do know that even for adults, if a hospital accepts your insurance, then any amount charged beyond what's covered is written off, and you don't have to pay a penny. Works with TriCare and Medicare. I know some have to pay a deductible. A lot of times an ER visit is covered if you are admitted.

[@eoinleen1]

Praise be, Wanda-Jo

[@Xycron]

It's wild we just haven't figured out how to do healthcare. Weird. Guess there's just no way to do it huh? /s

[@skippyzk]

It's weird that everyone blames politicians, but they are just people. No one wants to get involved but expects better results.

[@grumpyotter]

Clearly, if it were possible to provide healthcare, LOTS of countries would have done so!

[@highstimulation2497]

nope. only profit. that's all americans do.

[@kristaberta7922]

The last thing I was expecting to see today was Robin Nelson sarcastically calling out America's healthcare system under a Last Week Tonight episode

[@jschuler53]

Xycron. no John told us right off there IS a right way to do this but we don't do this we do it the WRONG way. Funniest line to start off the show. Then he spends the rest of the time telling us why.

[@ForeverMe543]

I think m'Wanda's hair got even bigger, if possible

[@adrielsebastian5216]

PRAISE BE!

[@thechefsteffon9173]

Yeah that is the biggest hair I ever seen! 😂

[@pibyte]

Gonna fill the entire room soon.

[@swistedfilms]

Just you wait until the follow up episode! They'll have to use a wide angle lens to get the whole thing in the shot!

[@johnfaber100]

It is a mark of honor. She is allowed to wear hair this big because she can summon managers with her mind.

[@jandreid1056]

"Love thy neighbor", unless they're gay or smokes. Christian charity right there, folks.

[@lunakoala5053]

Or eat junk food. Or drink alkohol. No wonder those schemes originate with the amish and co, those are the only folks that need apply.

[@DC-ru5xz]

As a Christian, it’s heartbreaking these ministries deny even limited aid to those who need it most. They forget the fact that Jesus Christ Himself literally helped and healed the most immoral people in the world. You can’t help people who need it most while calling moral high ground

[@MrJimheeren]

Scamming people out of money is the most American thing there is. And nothing is more easy then fucking over some church goers who are in this Ponzi scheme because being holier then you is there whole being

[@helenryan5217]

It's like the concept of grace just went over their heads.

[@mswen1983]

"Must comply with a Christian lifestyle." So judging other people as harshly as possible while you live like a complete hypocrite?

[@kRis-rn6so]

That’s the new Christianity. What does God think about this?……. Jesus wept.

[@JakobNoone]

Now yer gettin' it! Expect to be ostracized if you inquire about the lies and hypocrisy in relation to actual Jesus teachings.

[@JakobNoone]

@@kRis-rn6so I like to think of 'new Christianity' as "anti-Christianity."

[@annabethchase2569]

Actually, this is one instance where I'm happy LGBTQ+ people and other discriminated groups are refused access. For once discrimination works out well, you don't get scammed. (By them at least) I am perfectly fine with white supremacists/racists/homophobes scamming other white supremacists/racists/homophobes out of healthcare (You reap what you sow). I just fear for the children. That 10 year old didn't deserve that.

[@NorroTaku]

hell yeah brothar uh I meant Amen brother! thine conclusion do be correct tho

[@michaelmerkerson5068]

As someone who's experiencing housing insecurity, disability and the related issues including not being able to get much needed healthcare, Christian ministries aren't an option for assistance for a lot of people, especially men. Believe me, I've searched high and low for assistance. Poverty programs in red states is almost nonexistent. Christian charities don't offer much more help. One program I enquired about required me to work, which I physically can't, attend résumé prep/job prep classes which I've never had problems gaining employment when I could work and attend mandatory church services which I don't want to attend.

[@aminadoctrove3738]

Can’t offer any advice, I’m just sorry your experiencing these issues.

[@PaperRaines]

@@aminadoctrove3738 same here, I wish I had an a-ha idea. Only thing I know is if Democrats could get their acts together and win more statehouses and bigger majorities, stories like this would be much fewer and farther between

[@karliebellatrixyoung6359]

I don't want medicare or medicaid for all; I want "Member of Congress" healthcare for all.

[@candaceclayton1043]

Wanna hear something else that’s horrible? Most churches provide health insurance thru major insurance carriers. But their parishioners are not warned about health shares

[@thomasnault7811]

These ministries sound like they’re practicing the “shitty socialism” that they’re so scared about...

[@PaperRaines]

And as a bonus they threw in homophobia and slut shaming

[@ChelseaHawryluk]

I mean they are... Medicare is a system you pay into so that a governing body can pay on behalf of others’ bills as well as your own. It’s just socialized medicine that gives no assurances that they will actually pay out and limits membership based on religion.

[@mookyss]

Is there not a significance to voluntary help versus coercive?

[@PaperRaines]

@@mookyss no, none, no significance whatsoever. That's not how American citizenship has ever or will ever work. No matter who you are or what you do you're an American, and we pay into that as citizens I don't have children, but I have never and will never wonder why I pay for other people's children to go to school for free

[@hedonismbot1508]

@@mookyss Not when the real-world result of that is a big chunk of the country getting screwed over because the available charity money doesn't cover what companies feel like charging for the service in question.

[@ninjagoalie9999]

I LOVE how they make real websites!!! Take time and go to this one! It is HILARIOUS

[@zhang_han]

Why do people in this country make solutions that are even worse than the problem, rather than just doing what has worked well in every other industrialized modern economy?

[@rockdinosaur8619]

Murica - freedumb

[@thecharlieramirez]

Because capitalism.

[@PhantomLord]

70+ years of anti socialist propaganda has rotted our parents minds

[@RaggedyA]

Greed and lust. That's why.

[@nickgrout2502]

"Something something godless communism, something something religious freedum"

[@scottysnintendoreviews3510]

As someone who lives in Oregon it makes me happy whatever they show a map of bad stuff and my state's not on it

[@kevindiaz7221]

East Oregon/ Greater Idaho: hold my moonshine

[@scottysnintendoreviews3510]

I will defend Oregon from Idaho bring it on Idaho

[@kayab01]

Isn't part of Oregon trying to join Idaho? I thought the voting to do that was this year.

[@scottysnintendoreviews3510]

I think they're voting to consider leaving

[@uncreative5766]

@@scottysnintendoreviews3510 Haha, and people in Northern California have been wanting to leave for Oregon for years. I doubt that Congress, regardless of who's in charge, will ever seriously consider drawing up new state lines.

[@cherixxx9136]

Not a day passes without my anxious brain wondering how a system that allows such bullshit survived that long, and also, how gravity works around Wanda's hair.

[@nurikorose3739]

I used to work at one of these “ministries”. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Their business practices are questionable to say the least.

[@pl8710]

Got any stories to share?

[@nurikorose3739]

I was called into HR when I was getting divorced. I had to explain what happened between me and my husband so HR could go explain to the higher ups. It was a big no no that I, a woman, chose to leave my husband without the church’s permission. My pastor was divorced himself, so he didn’t really care.

[@kyleeaniya3080]

watchgirls18. com Breaking: conservatives chose communism to stick it to social healthcare

[@jonesfactor9]

How Christian- “I don’t want to take care of someone who eats Bon bons all day.”

[@h2t26]

Religion is the real brian tumor which we have yet to find a cure for.

[@SKtube0]

If she thinks "bon bons" are still a thing, she's got bigger problems than her faith lol.

[@robothunter1035]

Hummmmm, bon-bons!

[@WhatDoesMyChannelNameMean]

Well now at least John Oliver's 8.73 million subscribers know what's really in that woman's contract-heart as she represents her religion. I'd say I hope she's embarrassed, but I doubt that a psycho like her has the ability to feel embarrassment.

[@WhatDoesMyChannelNameMean]

But the good news is that she wouldn't cover Trump, then, right? ...since he sits around doing nothing but eating hamburgers all day and weighs more than Jabba the Hutt.

[@andrewmeyer1224]

"JohnnyCare does not ship to New York State" Damn you, Florida!!!

[@johnsaylor1583]

All about faith in God to pay my medical bills! I try not to think about why he would have given those bills to me in the first place if he loves me so much 😢

[@gregporter4102]

"Wow, American health insurance is awful, it couldn't possibly get worse!" Narrator: "It could."

[@carsonm7292]

*And then it did*

[@really2345]

Repeat after me: "Single Payer Health Insurance."

[@jolenejones6243]

And maybe on a sliding scale.

[@phoenix5054]

HSCM will soon brand their programs as "X, Y, Sun, Moon, Sword, and Shield".

[@NightridewithNikki]

I'm so glad I'm not the only who caught on to the Pokemon theme. What about Black and White?

[@deusexaethera]

PokeHealth!

[@TheBigGSN5]

Pokemon Centers do instaheal for free.

[@ElderStatesman]

If only we could receive healthcare by being stuffed into a PokéBall.

[@spantigre3190]

If you're refusing people preventative care, then you also expect to refuse them emergency care because how else could you make money?

[@wwondertwin]

So basically, it's exactly how every other decent country does healthcare except in every other decent country every citizen participates so that the total pooled money is actually enough to pay for everyone's healthcare instead of measly sums like $500 being sent that won't even cover the basics.

[@sarahoshea9603]

It barely covers half the cost of an ambulance ride in the US.

[@Mephistolomaniac]

"other decent country"

[@erikamezquita9442]

Also, in most countries you would never pay 300K for surgery, so the rest of the people can contribute just a tiny amount each.

[@sjs9698]

@@erikamezquita9442 such a massive shock that paying a bunch of suits outrageous sums to play golf & providing profits for shareholders doesn't make things cheaper :p

[@spongeintheshoe]

Also, it's a private group who just accepts the money they're being offered by individual citizens, and then _chooses_ to pay for their healthcare with that money should it become necessary. Which, critically, means that they are at liberty to choose _not_ to pay for it if they should feel so inclined.

[@dorongrossman-naples9207]

People say socialists have "unrealistic ideas of human nature" and then come up with shit like this.

[@sarahoshea9603]

Which shows how uneducated they are because the only reason we've survived and evolved is because of our cooperation and tendency to be social.

[@FLPhotoCatcher]

@@sarahoshea9603 All the examples of Communist countries show that Communism does not work well at all. Also, Communist countries have killed, directly or indirectly, about *80 to 100 million people.* Think about that. And yes, Socialism is very related to Communism. But "cooperation and tendency to be social" is not the same as a Socialist *government!* "Cooperation and tendency to be social" does in fact apply better to Health Share plans!

[@RaptorJesus]

@@FLPhotoCatcher ...what does any of that have to do with modern Social-Democracy? Or even just modern government health and such programs? Because the first government to do anything like that was the *extremely* non-socialist Kaiserreich, under the leadership of arch-conservative Otto von Bismarck.

[@nicholase2868]

@@FLPhotoCatcher let's be real, it generally wasn't the type of government that killed those people. It was a mix of ignorance, idiocy, corruption, and greed. All of those are traits of every form of government, just waiting to increase enough to do it again.

[@hadara69]

"Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful." ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca

[@stevenmiller4329]

what about uncommon, unwise and not ruling :/

[@gunnarschlichting9886]

@@stevenmiller4329 Heretical. Because you just described a normal minority group. Uncommon - not the majority. Unwise - aka normal people, not highly educated/philosophers because they don't got time for that shit. Not ruling - because that's a different minority, the ones with power, the elite, the rich, etc.

[@stevenmiller4329]

@@gunnarschlichting9886 but then id be common and not uncommon yet i dont go to church so i must be wise

[@hadara69]

@@stevenmiller4329 Don't overthink it, just consider the context.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

The more things change. the more they stay the same. ~ Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr (probably)

[@ramblesdragons701]

“The choice was between paying health care and my student loans.” Oh look half of what’s wrong in this country in a sentence.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Now that you say it: I'm astonished that John Oliver missed that one.

[@pop5678eye]

Even that predicament is just the people who have to take risks because they got the opportunity to go to college. Millions more still have to choose between health care and not being kicked out of their home for insufficient rent payment. Despite the significant improvements instituted by the ACA (like forbidding insurance companies from kicking you out for pre-existing conditions, which is what these 'ministries' are getting around) millions still get insufficient preventative care and still get insurmountable bills insurance companies don't cover. ACA was only an initial step forward but unfortunately corporations and the politicians those corporations bought want to reverse even that step instead of continuing to take steps forward. This is what happens in a country where healthcare is treated as a for-profit industry and not a human right.

[@kurtcobainpizza5606]

Here s one way of having not to pay back a student loan: Don't take one. Simple solution.

[@jcr2408]

@@kurtcobainpizza5606 Then you can't afford to pay....

[@scottsbarbarossalogic3665]

@@kurtcobainpizza5606 "Dude, you don't have money? Like, just don't be poor"

[@DBDdavid]

Interesting how the religious ones have the least morals, but the most faith.

[@laurie6123]

Words are cheap and lies are good.

[@Vitross]

Faith is synomous with gullibility, which attracts scammers like shit attract flies.

[@avigutierrez8948]

Exactly my friends exactly

[@biostarkick7]

Interesting how you're generalizing a giant population of people based upon a small subsection of idiots.

[@chickensdone1]

@@biostarkick7 I don’t know man, I live in rural PA where over 90% of the population is very religious. If the Christians across the country are anything like they are here, then I think the OP might have a point.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

"Freedom from Insurance". I think one has to be US-American for that NOT to sound about as tempting as "freedom from financial security" or "freedom from that pesky roof over my head".

[@jolenejones6243]

Some Americans.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

@@jolenejones6243 You are right, of course. But frightfully enough, they seem to make up a large enough group to make politics with. See also: the last four years. We probably notice stuff like that more in nations that we view from the outside, but US politics as seen in the media seem to depend heavily on finding a slogan that sounds good and fits easily onto a bumper sticker. "Right to Work", "Patriot Act", "Tough on Crime", "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun..." ... If it sounds that good and requires that little thinking, chances are that someone's getting one over on you.

[@samstuff8554]

Conservatives: “ the Bible told us to help others ” Also conservatives : “ oh your in need of help well helping you would be socialism so no thanks “

[@hmlqrt2716]

Isnt obamacare the reason kids are not covered anymore?

[@Xeonerable]

religion is just a veil for control and greed. with an added "bonus" of using it as an excuse to pretend to care for other people but actually not.

[@Bill_Garthright]

_Conservatives: “ the Bible told us to help others ”_ Keep in mind that the Bible also tells them to kill heretics, homosexuals, and 'witches,' to burn women alive for having sex outside of marriage, to stone to death disobedient children, to force rape victims to marry their rapist, and to murder their neighbor for picking up sticks on the weekend. So,... for conservatives, "helping others" is just one of the _many_ things in the Bible they ignore or rationalize away.

[@logangamble1890]

My healthcare sharing plan works out great. I mean sure it's mandatory as it's my taxes for the single payer system we have in Canada. But still works out great

[@kerikah]

Incidentally, everyone should be arguing down their hospital bills. They're purposely bloated, so look at the itemized charges.

[@WhatDoesMyChannelNameMean]

When I was in college, I was in a very minor accident (I was not driving and had no injury of any kind) and was forced to the hospital. I was a young college student with no insurance because my dad had just been killed the previous year (I had been on his insurance), and this happened years before health insurance was available to someone like me. Anyway, at the hospital a humongous fat guy and a short spherical woman came to me and tried to force me to do some kind of test. I refused the test they wanted to do and just stayed in the waiting room for hours until the whoever-she-was showed up and said I was allowed to leave. Next month I got a huge bill with a long list of various tests and treatments that they did not do. One item on the list was the test that they had tried to force me to do and that I had refused. The rest were tests and treatments that weren't even mentioned to me while I was waiting to leave the hospital, just a bunch of stuff they made up. It took years, but I finally got rid of that debt without having to pay. I do realize how fortunate I am that I was able to get rid of that fake hospital bill! And now if I ever need a doctor for anything, I look closely at every item they charge for, even though the insurance I have now covers everything 100% and I wouldn't have to pay for it myself anyway.

[@dosmastrify]

Good luck dude. We had a baby and they continually refused to send anything but the highest level bill with very generic terms "blood tests" for example. They acted like I was crazy and stupid for asking for more "the insurance approved it, it's a package deal, one birth comes with all we included, and if we added more they wouldn't pay any different and neither would you, so you have all the bill you need"

[@nothingspecial2018]

Why should I have to do it? the government should do it for me.

[@konigstiger3252]

@@nothingspecial2018 another commie

[@leahvogel5527]

After having my 2nd son we got a very thick manilla envelope in the mail with a 30+ page bill in it. My husband's insurance thru his job was amazing & covered everything, but I looked through the bill just to see what was listed. The stuff they were charging for, & the prices they charged, were shocking!! One example: 2 Tylenol, bcuz I had a headache from pushing so hard.. $50.. for a 2pk of effing aspirin you can buy for a dollar at a gas station!!

[@omeyehead7436]

That judgmental tone has been coming out of the "mouths" of most "Christians" I've met in my 60 years on this planet.

[@mothiestman4995]

Man, I was kinda hoping that'd get better eventually. They don't leave me alone.

[@kuzzbillington6392]

Yeah, and yet too many priests are raging alcoholics, on top of the fancy for choir boys that some has. Trump may be king of projecting, but church has been doing it for 1500 years.

[@oldsesalt8496]

"You are going to burn in hell !!!! Jesus loves you."

[@teresamahoney4978]

It's funny how in their bible it says, "judge not, lest yee be judged". Yet they are the first one to cast judgement upon everyone they meet. I'm so tired of being told I'm going to hell. What I do with my life isn't hurting you, so please take your judgement and hypocrisy and go away for ever!

[@jdatlas4668]

@@teresamahoney4978 I’ve honestly started embracing it. If they think all this stuff will send you to hell it can’t be that bad a place, and their version of heaven isn’t somewhere I ever want to end up.

[@andrewhoneycutt7427]

We did the thing that we've been talking about and got away with it. After all these years it still surprises me when John drops that bomb.

[@nasleelafir4931]

America is like other developing countries. Only difference in some developing countries healthcare and education is free

[@emhu2594]

The US is a 4th world country. Don’t kid yourself.

[@eclowe6594]

Diamond, emerald, sapphire, and ruby... Are Pokemon trainers running that HCSM? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@bboo1688]

People who dont follow a Christian lifestyle need not apply: so that includes ppl who eat cheeseburgers right? Right? Or are you just picking and choosing what a christian lifestyle is as always

[@eshbena]

Did none of them pay attention to Paul saying that they were supposed to ignore the Old Testament? Because they are all pretty keen on whipping out bits of Leviticus to flog everyone with.

[@ClaytonJonesImages]

@@eshbena facts. "New Covenant" my ass. If we really followed the OT like these evangelicals say we should, we would all be dead

[@ire1398]

These “Christians” sure do like the Torah.

[@cowboycurtis2229]

@@eshbena Well, Paul didn't really say to ignore the OT. He only said that the OT wasn't given as a set of guidelines that you have to follow in order to get to heaven, but rather it was given to show us that we all are sinners because we can't possibly keep the OT laws flawlessly. That's why we need a Savior. I'm curious what bits of Leviticus you've been flogged with. I'll apologize on behalf of those of us Christians who find grace and love to be a better way, but if you care to share any specific examples, I might be able to shed light on what they may have been thinking.

[@bladerunner3314]

@@eshbena But cheezus said, old rules are game, so get ready to stone your kid if it dares to speak up.

[@georgeblumenthal7938]

Cudos John, I have shared the hell out of this. Bravo

[@stepheninks]

Who else knew exactly what was up as soon as he said … “and the reason I know this is…?”

[@MariaVosa]

"Unfortunately some are going in the opposite direction" Go on... "Take Florida" Yup

[@DaWolf805]

Whenever John Oliver says any variation on "Take Florida, for example", you know it's something pretty bad.

[@hailyxia2477]

But we get the bandaids. 😅

[@DaRedWunsGoFasta]

"Take Florida." No, thank you. You can keep it.

[@leif5046]

"It does take a measure of faith to do it." Translation: "To do it, one must be capable of wishful thinking and pretending to know things one does not know." Faith is not a virtue. It's the excuse people use to maintain a comforting world view in lieu of evidence and good reasons. Anything can be believed on the basis of faith. People who use faith to justify their knowledge claims ought to be less proud of their self-delusions and willful ignorance.

[@markgigiel2722]

P.T. Barnum would be impressed of the level of scams we have created. There truly is a sucker born every minute. And the number of unscrupulous assholes willing to exploit them has increased exponentially.

[@spongeintheshoe]

Given that his scams were mostly limited to show business and he actually had contempt for genuine fraud such as the spiritualist mediums who were common in his day, I suspect he might be more outraged than impressed.

[@markgigiel2722]

@@spongeintheshoe It was an example of "there's a sucker born every minute". I never read the bio of P.T. Barnum and know very little about him.

[@spongeintheshoe]

@@markgigiel2722 Fun Fact: It was actually a rival of his who said that, while they were in what could best be described as a scam war.

[@johnnysmith64]

I'm sure praying for somebody has helped so many

[@charlesajones77]

This doesn't change the fact that healthcare in the US is outrageously overpriced. $10,000 for an appendectomy!? And that's low balling it. In Canada it costs $139. That's what the government pays.

[@DennisMoore664]

4:53 - this is the Conservative doubleplusgood groupthink about most things. The problem is that "government bad - stick it to the Libs" isn't going to make life better for most people.

[@deusexaethera]

You're judging their actions by a false standard. Making life better for most people is something that only Libs care about. What _they_ value is making life better for people they personally approve of.

[@mrflippant]

I'd like to point out that there was a whole damn city made of Emerald in that very same movie, John.

[@pssurvivor]

Wasn't it the glasses that made everything look green?

[@Lietuvis681]

It generally boils down to the fact this is precisely how many millions of Christians are, especially the conservative ones, exclusivity and superiority complex. The very nature of Jesus was caring for others and accepting others different from him not nitpicking supposed flaws and saying I only help those that follow me or my beliefs.

[@youzzz4315]

One day john oliver is gonna say "at this point everyone can found a country and i know that because i founded one and named it Our Ladies Perpetual Nation"