Televangelists: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

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[@beachbum1523]

As Jackie Gleason so correctly pointed out, "When churches needs money, preachers ask the people for it. When the people need money, the preachers tell them to ask God."

[@nikowaqaisavou9371]

So true

[@brucemarmy8500]

Yes, and your point is ? What? You don't think God has it in cash, for you? God won't do it for me, but you is golden?

[@beachbum1523]

@@brucemarmy8500 You're not following me. If "God" has cash for anyone, then why is Kenneth Copeland hitting people up for cash? Hey...... If he's a "man of God", then he can get the cash from God and leave me out of the picture.

[@brucemarmy8500]

@@beachbum1523 Ken has the $. This is about how you get rich. Doin' what a rich man tells you to do is how you become a rich man. Don't you know that?

[@brucemarmy8500]

@@beachbum1523 This is how the Almighty has touch Ken's heart, by having him absorb the excess cash weighing the faithful down. By giving him $ the faithful prove worthiness to Him. God's plan is to make Ken a mountain of money that god wants him to have, why can't you see? I'm totally pulling your leg Ken is a graduate of Conman Academy, this is his life's calling. The whole thread, I was just seeing how triggered folks can get. Answer: Plenty. Try to relax, friend. Convincing me of something isn't as important as keeping oneself from being overly vexed by words of unknown people.

[@blackneos940]

Televangelists: Providing Atheists with ammo for decades.

[@johnlopperman2161]

black But it's all blanks.

[@Tcrror]

@@johnlopperman2161 Atheists don't believe in fairy tales, which automatically makes us incredibly more intelligent than religious morons.

[@jonnyroxx7172]

“Atheists” aka “Intelligent, educated, rational human beings”

[@johnlopperman2161]

@@jonnyroxx7172 Aye, but only a minimum of education comes from schools. Major learning comes directly from living. Without the middleman.

[@jonnyroxx7172]

JOHN L OPPERMAN I completely agree.

[@suezbell1]

Watching in December 2023 and STILL RELEVANT.

[@DoctorZtormtrooper]

It will always be relevant as long as people still care about religion and people want to exploit that for money.

[@HunkMine]

nothing has changed AT ALL lmao

[@Crewcapt295]

try march 2024

[@ursinecanine9657]

​@@Crewcapt295 I did. Still painful.

[@jacobsinfulsaint7543]

Watching in 2024...still very RELEVANT

[@Hyperion1722]

Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption! A classic parody! John Oliver's shows are the only ones that I watch over and over and over again.

[@thirstfast1025]

Haha, yeah, can't remember last time I watched a 7yrs old Colbert. I rewatch old Oliver all the time!

[@manueld5253]

Same here. 😂

[@KevinStagg]

"We've seen midgets grow". Uhmmmmm, those are called children.

[@TAndrackeH]

HAHAHAHAHA Indeed, right on.

[@lewisbeer6156]

Probably my favorite comment ever

[@donnakaye2015]

Good one.🤣🤣🤣

[@heyhey11793]

😂🤣😂🤣

[@showrajgurung4890]

fuck. made my day. thanks mate

[@hankhouke]

When my grandmother died, we began getting threatening collection calls. They were saying my grandmother was not paying her $1000 a month pledge. We learned she had given her life savings to these clowns, and we also owed thousands to the old folks home and hospital and funeral expenses. This 100 year old woman was not competent at the time, but we never recovered a cent of the $200,000 that this criminal trash had stolen.

[@MainelyLove]

Hank My heart goes out to you and your family. Of all the horror stories I've read here today I am commenting on your because my maternal grandmother was a born again Christian from the 1930's into the early 1980's but poor, and yet she forced her children, my mother and aunt, to grow up in even more poverty and even hunger because she had to go to church and give them $. When television came and those televangelists she gave them $ too. These criminal trash as you called them steal from families, not just the person being duped into their lies. You made that point so well.. and I am truly sorry for what this did to your grandmother and you and your parents.

[@hankhouke]

Thank You and stay safe my friend.

[@NeighborSenpai]

I sincerely hope that your family is better now, honestly won't call these people clowns because it's an insult to actual clowns

[@jamesalexanderjimenez-medi7667]

What? That’s horrible... It’s disgusting people use good for evil - they will get what they deserve

[@corporateraider9766]

You poor suckers. Jezuz

[@Mechknight73]

The UK has a series of laws around churches, it's called the "Public good" test. you have to prove that you do ACTUAL not for profit work. For example, there's no disputing the Salvation Army does charitable work, hence the tax exempt status. The Church of Scientology is taxed, because they operate like an MLM, and don't do anything "not for profit." If the IRS finally got their shit together and crack down on these crooks there'd be a whole rank of people in Club Fed. Could even be an Evangelists' Wing of a prison.

[@Mechknight73]

@@ravenandstar It's one of the reasons why they say Australians and Britons are "over taxed," when in reality our living costs are a lot lower. A tiny percentage of those taxes fund universal health care. Never do you hear of people in either country going bankrupt or losing their house because of a "medical debt." We have a fairer system of deductions, and neither is perfect, but much better off than the average American overall. Those GOP morons have people convinced that anything "socialist" is "on the slippery slope to communism." The quickest way to shut them up: "imagine for a moment that your mum has cancer, but you have to let her die because you can't afford the treatment. Now imagine that everyone contributes to a fund where everyone gets treated with no out of pocket bills. Your mum gets treated, and you don't have to pay ANY bills for it." That's the reality of universal health care, but these morons keep saying "I don't want to pay for someone else's hospital bill."

[@SanFran51]

Because if you tried televangelism in Britain you would be arrested for defrauding the faith.

[@magnetiktrax]

The US could learn a lot from the UK. The tax exemptions but also limiting the amount a political party can spend in an election.

[@disgruntledmum4916]

@@magnetiktrax they work around that though. Our (UK) political system is just as corrupt as the US system, it's just that on the whole, British people are physically incapable of continuing the charade ad nauseum (unless they are Johnson and his mealy mouthed lap dogs). Whereas, American politician can be caught bang to rights and still argue that it wasn't them.

[@nifralo2752]

​@@SanFran51there aren't that many super religious people in the UK who aren't immigrants

[@pam0626]

The saddest part of this well-researched episode is that the people who need to hear it most probably can’t afford HBO or are too conservative to ever watch it.

[@far2ez]

Is that really sad when JO actively ostracizes conservative viewers by misrepresenting them and attacking strawmans? Either conservatives are the enemy to be dehumanized or the human beings to be listened to and aided, but not both.

[@sirubisan698]

I have and I AM a conservative. Have you seen how far both oliver and HBO have fallen since this??

[@pam0626]

@@sirubisan698 No. Too busy. 😝

[@sirubisan698]

@@pam0626 of course they expect the brain dead to consume next product no matter how sloppy it is like DNC Ball lickers and Velma

[@Chrisf5483]

Well the reality is these people are way too far gone for the most part to ever change.

[@ddfjsdflz]

This actually almost made me cry. My own mother believes in this and for years I've been trying to talk some sense into her which has put a permanent stain in our relationship. These people are horrible.

[@rosabscura]

I'm really sorry about that. Smh *internet hug*

[@sofiaisabel5007]

Pan Sorry :( Wish you the best of luck to deal with that! Be strong :)

[@j0nnY77x]

it must be hard trying to convince her otherwise i hope you do one day

[@computergeeksmart]

Pan *internet hug on top of internet hug*

[@Adam-zc3of]

Pan Well, you now know to show this to her.

[@novemtigris3041]

This takes "we could make a religion out of this" to a whole new level.

[@richiemata9428]

SpectroMan was a really nice year to get my food here in the morning haha mornings too good to eat it was and it’s okay great atmosphere

[@oandr]

capitalism

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Japan: How about I do...anyway

[@StormMcBeth]

I was the 666th like.

[@Hero_of_Legend]

And lo', did say unto them the Fonz, "'eeeeeeey!"

[@loonyluna1096]

Celebrating the long overdue passing of Pat Robertson with this classic! 🥳 If Christian heaven is real, at least he isn’t there!!

[@SarafinaSummers]

This in the cart of weed make it all worthwhile. 😂

[@susanrhodes9079]

🤣🤣🤣✌️😎

[@readynowGO]

stuck in the 4th circle for eternity B]

[@kathleenroberts6931]

Iceland 🇮🇸 outlawed Televangelists. We should, too!

[@bloomingtg1214]

We had Trump as our President. As a whole, we’re too stupid and gullible to outlaw televangelists.

[@TheeAntiChris]

That’ll be the day when America stops assisting the richest criminals and actually starts defending the working class. So, never.

[@Argumemnon]

"Wealth is a sign of god's favour" Ah, yes. I remember Jesus saying that rich people get easily into Heaven. Sure.

[@thomasoates3003]

Indeed. He said the exact opposite.

[@soufyane68]

Of course ...they have private jets

[@thomasoates3003]

@@soufyane68 Ah, you see, they can't travel with normal people! They're human-ness would corrupt them! That was sarcasm, BTW.

[@diesel2421]

🤣🤣🤣

[@thecollector2464]

Yeah

[@darthbane5676]

The Bible, I kid you not, details a time when Jesus literally flipped a table in anger over stuff similar to this.

[@readingswithjenna9714]

He called them the synagogue (assembly) of satan.

[@violetrose25]

It's the only time recorded where Jesus lost his temper.

[@JamesRichardWiley]

Strange that God didn't notice them until Jesus stumbled across these turds.

[@coolvoice7]

Darth Bart bang on the nail👍 makes you wonder if the religious zealots have read the Bible at all, if so they must be exceptionally selective about what passages they read.

[@ihavefallenandicantreachmy2113]

.Upon seeing said Whip, Lupus Larry exclaimed, "Hey, Mr. Roper, Mr. Furley; Look what Jesus made. A Whip. It is a miracle!" To which jesus replied; "That, is not funny. Just wait til' my Dad, i mean myself, hears about this!" Then, he flipped the table and everyone lived happily ever under. End

[@traceysheneman8652]

I'm a Christian. Not only is this hilarious it is on point. Bravo.

[@gspendlove]

When he introduced Wanda Jo Oliver and I saw it was Rachel Dratch, all I could think of is how much she made me laugh with Debbie Downer, especially when they were at Disney World. That sketch is priceless.

[@CraigMcGuinn]

Doesn’t Wanda Jo Oliver seem like a far happier character?😂

[@one-onessadhalf3393]

How did I literally never realize that

[@erttheking]

It's worth noting that if you google Televangelist, this is the first result.

[@kyransawhill6650]

First we got Jeff the dieased lung in a cowboy hat, and now this (which incidentally, I typed to the voice of the guy who says "And now this" in every episode).

[@aaa1e2r3]

+erttheking Praise Be

[@Zomious]

+erttheking Praise be!!

[@iAmLyre]

+Medovukha That explains why "Vince McMahon Chris Benoit speech" came up when I wrote "Vince". Funny enough, it was the exact thing I was looking for

[@stevemarston2936]

+Medovukha Why is that a bad thing? I understand a concern for privacy, as I value it myself, but there are ways to disable it. I happen to like being able to type three letters and google is able to guess what I want 75% of the time. If you don't want google knowing what you're searching in a particular instance, go into private browsing and turn on a proxy. It takes three or four clicks

[@HeRacesTheSun]

Jesus... "Leave your material belongings and follow me" Televangelists... "We accept all major credit cards"

[@XAlreadyKnowX]

HeRacesTheSun best comment by far.

[@stephensdygert7600]

HeRacesTheSun Jesus lived "all things in common" during his exclusive earthly ministry to the nation of Israel. He told all, to sell all, and redistribute to the poor. The early jewish kingdom church in Acts 2, 3,4,5, were living "all things in common"

[@matthew_natividad]

Along with cash

[@barbarachimento9723]

HeRacesTheSun

[@lucidreamer6522]

Кристина Александровна ここに英語をはなしてください。ロシア語をわかりませんよ。。。

[@AWESOM.O]

This guy is awesome. He helped me to understand all that well functioning scam machinery set by televangelism... Some robbers have way more honor than those...

[@peterrobbins2862]

So junkies have way more honour than them

[@jimspink2922]

From Australia. My father had a saying about these sort of people. At least Ned Kelly(Australian bushranger/robber) was honest he had a gun

[@kp4588]

You are a dummy if you think this guy is clever.

[@kp4588]

Yet, he is sort of a televangelist leading you to communism. Worship him.

[@kellyyork3898]

“There’s a sucker born every minute.” -PT Barnum

[@ApeStimplair-et9yk]

_" and hundrets which want to murder his banking account via us mail bombs "_ - Thief Fun Gale Easts

[@tekbarrier]

"The size of your seed will determine the size of your harvest" That's not how plants work

[@chiensyang]

Jesus stated about the small muster seed becoming a big tree. In fact, Jesus talked a lot about doing great thing while having just small faith. We should start labeling the Prosperity Gospel as cult.

[@carltontheduke2571]

If I could chime in, as a Christian myself, "seed faith" just SOUNDS dirty.

[@chiensyang]

@@carltontheduke2571, I did too.

[@albatrosstheconcussed8157]

It's not how babies work, either, so I have no clue where they got this idea.

[@holmesmoss540]

Plants need Brawndo. It has electrolytes.

[@corentin2638]

Man, America truly is a fucked up place sometimes

[@justsaying3729]

Most of the time. Nothing but a bunch of hypocrites so called Christians in America.

[@stephensdygert7600]

Corentin Alice Cooper said the world is a "brutal planet" listen to the lyrics of the song very closely!

[@carlogalbiati6157]

Sometimes?

[@mellow_mallow]

Corentin yeah

[@bcmasur]

Corentin: first of all it's called UNITED STATES, not "America"

[@FreddieMercuryyy]

Watched this for the first time in August 2023 and its ever so relevant😂😂

[@lashinka2574]

Same! And true. Even moreso really, this current timeline be cray cray!

[@susandumbill8805]

I went to a church where the 'offerings' etc were supposed to be put into certain envelopes, with your name, amount, date etc. One of the 'pastors' got angry and told us all off because people had been putting empty envelopes in the bucket/whatever, with no names etc on, so he didn't know who these very naughty people were! 🤣😄😉 This happened just before I left the organization, and I must say, it was quite entertaining, to see him upset and so frustrated! 😂😄😉⚠️⚠️⚠️🌟😉😄🤣

[@vixxiekit9795]

2020 happened because John Oliver didn't send the dollar back.

[@wayneurquhart1967]

Thanks for the laugh. It was out loud.

[@mrnonsense1031]

Dammit John Oliver, you had one job!

[@AC-jg5ok]

😂😂😂😂😂 OMG... you gotta tweet him that hahaha

[@Joekuh]

This is a SUPER underrated comment!!

[@tinoj9661]

do you mean his tenth Emmy in a row?

[@Zulf85]

God, that tax lawyer must have had fun with this lmao

[@mickelodiansurname9578]

My guess is he added a discount for no more than the damned entertainment value.... and of course the plug!

[@iamlyric5600]

so i read it as taxi lawyer 5 friggin times. i need to go to church and sow a seed

[@chaotic.tired.goblin.]

Nice profile pic 👍

[@gamblincabbie9505]

The tax attorney was like " Wait, you want to do what?!?!?!?? (Listens...) This ought to be fun, let me get the books out!"

[@nhl_rookiewalter]

Bet he did🤣🤣🤣

[@GuiItyUniverse]

My father revealed to me today he follows the word of Kenneth Copeland. I cried for him today. He's 70 years old and doesn't understand he's being taken advantage of.

[@antoinea5732]

Show him this segment!!

[@MonicaHelton]

Sadly the elderly often fall for these scams.

[@Salty_Puffy]

In Kenya right now, we are facing a church-related massacre where a pastor told his followers to fast to death so that they could meet their god. So far, 133 bodies have been exhumed from the land where the pastor used to bury them, and the process is not over. Hope people in our country saw this video 8 years ago.

[@slicedGabe]

Bro before hoes should be a religion

[@serialexperimentsdave7213]

slicedGabe so would that religion be homophobic or extremely gay?

[@serialexperimentsdave7213]

***** oh I see now. men choosing men over women isn't gay but men choosing men over other men is gay. I was confused there for a second

[@skeptaculus6808]

Serial Experiments Dave Neither. And Homophobic and Gay are not opposites. It will not discriminate or hate towards any particular group. It sets up a priority of bros before hoes. That is it!

[@mosesyang4222]

plant your seed, plant your seed all over each others mouth and face SEEDS LOL

[@slicedGabe]

Serial Experiments Dave Bros before hoes means that a man will not prioritize females before his male friends. Nothing to do with being gay

[@Son9]

My mom believes in this bullshit. I talked to her the other day about the guy wanting money to buy a private jet and she said it was a 'blessing' and that he 'worked hard for it' (i.e. sowing seed through either trials or literal money) and when I mentioned that money could be put to better use helping the poor she basically said I and others who think like me are jealous haters. Honestly....da fuck.

[@JoeShopper]

My grandmother was the same way. Even when I was a kid I wondered how people like her still believed this bullshit in this day and age. I really wish there was such a thing as hell for these televangelists.

[@Son9]

kyle fewer We aren't American.

[@crococrash]

kyle fewer extremely harsh on Americans u are lol.... But you know this kinda thing happens everywhere... More in less developed countries where the masses are uneducated are gullible to religious appeal

[@googo974]

Sonata Tracey 😂😂😂😂

[@No1sPerf3ct]

tell your mom I'm running a church and she is welcome....al jokes aside she gonna loose allot of money with that mind set, she gonna pay for the next jet good luck to your college funds

[@michaelnomura5196]

When I was seven years old, I always wondered how our Pastor could afford to have a new car every year?

[@hollyaveent]

This is an actual man of God. Bless you John Oliver! All hail the Lady of Perpetual Exemption!!

[@maleahlock]

I actually have lupus and, believe me, I would throat punch any televangelist who says this. Most people with chronic debilitating illnesses live in poverty because they can no longer work or afford the medical help they need and become desperate to be well. Preying on the desperate is unconscionable.

[@Richard-jm3um]

Mal Lock It Is Indeed, Such Disgusting People

[@aloshyreji4313]

Mal Lock well..It's these christians who prevented healthcare by supporting Republicans

[@aloshyreji4313]

Mal Lock all of them in the video supported Trump

[@Widdekuu91]

Don't take this the wrong way. But the first thing I thought was; 'Oh god, the amount of House-jokes that Mal Lock must endure....' I seriously wish you strength to deal with those. Assuming that they make them.

[@firetarrasque4667]

Anyone who can't, I would gladly do it for them.

[@ahhhh913]

Ah yes, as Jesus famously said: "get to heaven by buying a private jet, see you there bestie ❤️"

[@chaitanyabuilds]

Yes, it's in the gospel of Judas

[@leeengelsman6356]

Well it got to be faster than angel wings.

[@catboy6451]

I mean, when they crash, they will certaintly be in either heaven or hell.

[@chuckdeluxe6627]

He just used that jet to save a lot of people from Afghanistan. What have you done besides judge others? God works in mysterious ways and this may be a moment in which the Lord provided a jet not only for him, but for others so that their lives could be spared.

[@chuckdeluxe6627]

He also gave $15 million in aid for them as well.

[@brycemonson604]

I have seen the light! Bless you Brother John!

[@yogsenforfoth5948]

Rachel Dratch as Wanda Jo was absolutely brilliant. 😂

[@ericb.4313]

I may not be religious, but didn't Jesus drive people like this out of a temple with a makeshift whip made of rose stems?

[@spvillano]

To subsequently get to wear a crown of stems with much larger thorns. What was driven out were money changers (Roman money was considered unclean, so other nations currency was changed for a fee) and animal salesmen for sacrificial animals. Turning a temple courtyard into a bizarre.

[@Mike_Ka-Chowski]

Not to mention, Jesus was all about that stoic lifestyle and preached heavily against a life focused on wealth alone. I've been to a church that shames people for not giving 10% of their monthly earnings. They also do that weird chanting thing and it's said to heal people. It's honestly shady

[@RavenclawFtW3295]

Finally, someone gets it. Material possessions, nice as they may be, are not the be all end all. They're not supposed to be.

[@HellomuSic1296]

He only did that because they were desecrating his fathers house. end.

[@tomgeorge3023]

They were Cheaters,, Den of Thiefs, Roman money was changed to Temple coins,, the money changers was robbing people just as these False Pastors

[@DaVultCave]

The most ironic thing about the things these preachers preach is that there is *literally* a parable in the Bible about a guy who *literally* buried his money in the actual ground and what did he get out of it? Nothing! He got kicked out of the house. :|

[@sebili0n99]

even the bible knows these guys are a joke. the cruel cruel irony.

[@CloudHiro]

thats the great thing about the bible really. if you actually read it thoroughly its pretty much has exact sentences that counter literally everything bad the religious nut jobs that gives religions a bad name have to say. "but the bible says this is wrong!" "well, here's a passage that counters everything about that sir!" Its like pretty much any nut job (religious, political or otherwise) really. nothing infuriates them more than directly quoting what they claim to obsess over.

[@traguna00]

CloudHiro too true. I mean, it's why they crucified Jesus.

[@duckface4828]

the latest researches shows that Jesus wasn't actually crucified www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/expert-claims-jesus-christ-wasnt-7591220

[@kalahatinggabi]

Duck Face okay, you said researches. The link you posted was a newspaper article about one "research" that wasn't even peer-reviewed. Also, considering that crucifixion kills by suffocating you by weighing your body down upon your lungs as you hang by your outstretched arms, it doesn't really matter whether your hands are tied to the cross or nailed to it. The Romans practiced crucifixion by nailing and/or tying. Inasmuch as tying didn't cause puncture wounds that might marginally contribute to blood loss and shock and got infected (thus hastening death), getting tied to the cross is actually worse.

[@totally_a_real_account7902]

Now that is a good suit. The grey with the nice blue tones, if John Oliver had blue eyes, the tie would really bring them out. AND it works with the beige vest that he puts on at the end? Amazing. It makes sure that John doesn’t disappear into the background, but also isn’t too bold that he becomes the center of attention. 11/10

[@shampoofully7923]

Just to update everyone. “Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption” was closed because multiple people sent sperm. Wish I was lying

[@mturker100]

Wish I could say I was surprised. Honestly shocked it wasn't worse stuff.

[@elisejaudon925]

Well they do have their DNA. And its illegal to mail human body parts. Whatever became of that? Probably nothing.

[@CraigMcGuinn]

@@elisejaudon925 technically the sperm and “jizz” are considered human bodily fluids, not human bodily parts. I understand your point

[@allwrathnograpes]

seed is seed

[@edwardelric10001]

Jesus... "Leave your material belongings and follow me" Televangelists... "Leave your material belongings with me"

[@MrHistory269]

🤣

[@blueflamexl9880]

The accuracy on this comment lol

[@paulagwhyte1720]

Maddening thing is, there was no Jesus or Lucifer. This is all so stupid. Every church rakes in money, not just televangelists. The Catholic Church is rolling in money. The Bible is an old myth that so many people have jumped on and used for their own means. Funny too, because even what Jesus was supposed to have said, "Leave your belongings and follow me," was TERRIBLE advice and would have been the worst thing the men he wanted to follow him, could have done. Their wives and kids would go starve and who cares? Back then women and children were belongings, chattel, like slaves, y'know, property. They didn't matter. So, it didn't matter if they died. Fuck the bible, fuck religion, fuck these B.S. gods. Grow up people and use your brains.

[@josiasbernard7618]

@@paulagwhyte1720 Oi bloody can you not try to make this genuinely simple comment into a teaching.

[@TaylordSpirit]

@@josiasbernard7618 I agree, I get it but damn Paula. Lighten up a bit.

[@Webshooters1]

I hereby renounce my atheism! John Oliver has shown me the light brothers and sisters! Praise loopholes! Praise tax exemptions! Praise tax lawyers! Join "Our Lady Of Perpetual Exemption"!

[@celesteannlopezcastillo2058]

Webshooters1 Amen! Amen! Amen!

[@sailormoonfish]

I will join you my brother! Praise the seeds and praise John and Wanda for allowing us to give them money (or checks)!

[@tnte10]

Hallelujah

[@The_Queen_Chrysalis]

Alejandro Gllrd but not actual seeds.

[@Jay-bd2bs]

Webshooters1 Can I be the cult leader? Let's get all the suckers in the world!

[@Jennifer83881]

😂 Absolutely love this episode 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Excellent roast & point 👍🏻

[@nikushim6665]

Reading the closure statement on the website was also hilarious. "We have still, miraculously, not broken any laws by promising you untold riches in return for sending us money. We’re also not closing down because you all kept sending us actual seeds, even though we explicitly told you not to. We’re closing because multiple people sent us sperm through the mail. And when someone sends you jizz through the mail, it’s time to stop whatever you’re doing."

[@ChristopherCudworth]

This made me laugh. But I wonder if it was biblical literalists mistaking Oliver's satire for reality.

[@josephschaffer2716]

Lol phenomenal

[@chrissimon8368]

LOL

[@museforge7246]

Why is this not the top comment?! I can't stop laughing 🤣😂😂

[@panchang810]

YESSSS 😆🤣😆🤣

[@db_41000]

5 years later this has aged very well

[@CherryBomb_Games]

Like a fine wine.

[@embersweeney2083]

@@CherryBomb_Games 6

[@flopartist3613]

why?

[@CherryBomb_Games]

@@embersweeney2083 ??m

[@Smileys_Dragons_]

It sadly has.

[@NickGagnon942]

Best episode of Last Week Tonight.

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

It is always John saying (@16:25), *"And lo, another box was ticked!"* that always makes me pass out laughing!!! 😂😅😆🤣😅😂😆

[@CapricornSister13]

When I found out my mom was actually sending money to Kenneth Copeland I immediately became the only person in the house that checked the mail. She never personally received another letter from them. We never could figure out why... 🤔😇

[@obfuscated3090]

That was brilliant! Senile people are unfit to handle their own affairs but gentle intervention can work wonders. You can also unsubscribe in their name and in the case of computers, creatively manage their email. Victimizing the mentally incompetent calls for drastic measures.

[@Kcliving1]

your an angel! 😇

[@k1ng5urfer]

Good Man

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

@@Kcliving1 👩‍🏫 *You're* 😁

[@Wolfencreek]

Must've been god's will 😂

[@SimplyMayaBeauty]

Geez, happy to be an atheist right now. And not in the US.

[@klara19]

SimplyMayaBeauty agreed

[@NinjaAdorable]

SimplyMayaBeauty Really ? Most Atheists on the internet are even bigger Assholes !! They cannot stand religous people and start saying shit about them just because they don't believe in God, blatantly ignoring any good deeds the institution does and blaming what some regional sects do on the entire Religous populace. So dont be too smug about being in a group !!

[@joshuaprz3]

+NinjaAdorable And? Many people are extremely rude on the internet. You can't generalize a specific group. It's like saying all Christians are as gullible as the ones in this video. "There's a lot of them, so the entire group must be the same."

[@ninninin656]

SimplyMayaBeauty I'm Christian, but this shit has as much to do with religion as Scientology - nada. But yeah, very glad not to live in the US.

[@minervaalexia6074]

+SimplyMayaBeauty Strongly agree. On the former part. Wishing I could not be in the US for the latter part.

[@SilverDuler]

I feel I learn a lot every single time I watch John Oliver show

[@murderduck2246]

I think "praise loopholes and their beloved loopiness" will be my senior quote

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I wish he'd do a programme on $cientology.

[@kingradovidv4524]

Or Judism, Islam, Buddhism, GabeNism and Church of Flying spaghetti monster.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

+Icicle Jr Only saying cos the $cientologists are a much tougher bunch than all the others in terms of a potentially litigious response. Every body else is a comparatively soft target... although maybe not islam, so much!

[@kristenungstad3252]

I am now always going to spell it with the $! Genius!

[@keyboarddancers7751]

+Kristen Ungstad I cannot claim a first on that one but it is most apt!

[@ms.marvelous8156]

I'm sure they would but scientologists are easily pissed off and would probably sue the shit out of them

[@Crowley9]

A friend of mine actually sent a dollar in the mail to John Oliver's church back in the day. She got back a letter which among other things included a paper with (allegedly) the outline of John Oliver's buttocks, with the text "Sit on this and think about what you've done!", and a notification that he forwarded the dollar donation to Doctors Without Borders.

[@largo778]

@ZionHillCalling no, no you are not

[@sin3358]

@ZionHillCalling me too. I wanna know more too

[@daelen.cclark]

Wow... kudos to John Oliver!

[@susanrolstad9338]

Wow never heard that thanks for sharing... wow

[@0pen22]

😂😂

[@Wolf-ic1pd]

Dear Lord … I have found church … My seeds are the most valuable things I own … bless you brother John … it is all clear to me now …

[@johnchessant3012]

here again because Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption is today's featured WIkipedia article

[@kendallbohlen3238]

For someone who has Lupus and grew up in church, this hit on such a level. I had so many people lay hands on me after I was diagnosed in high school and it jaded the hell out of me. Also these type of preachers are EVERYWHERE and they are bastards.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Do you know the Epic channel of 'Genetically Modified Sceptic'? He studied the Bible SO WELL, its amazing! His videos on Christianity overall are so good. Full of facts; great comment-sections also!

[@kendallbohlen3238]

@@loturzelrestaurant I have not, though I am curious now. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have to check out!

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@kendallbohlen3238 No problem. Have a nice day.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@kendallbohlen3238 If you have the time, tell me later how it went; though you dont have to.

[@loturzelrestaurant]

@@kendallbohlen3238 And? What now?

[@youfoundwaldo77]

John Oliver for president, seriously like lets start this.

[@xanejane7721]

sophie m srsly, Bernie, Hillary and Trump are enough.

[@peytonwood7064]

sophie m while I'd love this it is kinda unconstitutional with him being a Brit and all.

[@benk7773]

sophie m No because then he can't do this show.

[@burnthashbrowns9026]

I'll be old enough to vote by the next election John Oliver 2020

[@jadedtwin]

trexdinomonkey thomas He's British. It's unconstitutional for him to even try to run.

[@mothernaturesapothecary]

And this is why I love John Oliver!😂❤

[@cindygrayson1288]

I have found a wonderful person to watch! Thank you! You are great! I love your view on things!

[@vanirishband]

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15

[@merlynschutterle7242]

I can tell the real prophets from the false ones. They are ALL false prophets.

[@hbeeteevee]

🙄🙄

[@lilycheese4]

@@merlynschutterle7242 Amen to THAT.

[@Exiga445]

Why do so many people fall for these cons? Mostly old people who used to follow them back in the day.

[@alexeyayzin8512]

@@Exiga445 same crowd now. Mostly older white rural population

[@jimough2441]

Saw Reverend Ike in college. Got thrown out when we couldn't stop laughing. Tax law should eliminate all church exemptions.

[@tamlaedmundson8099]

Direct your good energy and "ID" nature, combined with your will power & pure spirit, which is the essence of who you truly are, to a positive & higher vibrational level of existence. And, you will then know exactly, why you are here & what your authentic, original & true purpose is as a loving human being.

[@mitadrubanerjeechowdhury9092]

How has this show not got an Emmy yet ?

[@johnarbuckle2619]

ikr !!!!!! i love john

[@AtomicQBomb]

I question that every night

[@countessrain3080]

Got it ;)

[@mitadrubanerjeechowdhury9092]

Yeah !!! Just got one.

[@chownful]

WHERES TRUMPS EMMY

[@jacobadelsheimer9645]

Wow. I touched the screen when they told me to and guess what, I don’t have lupus. Whether or not I had lupus before doesn’t matter, but I don’t have lupus.

[@larrylamb3480]

I hope your being sarcastic !

[@catbunDigital]

prAIsE B

[@danacollins2625]

I'm sorry to tell you, but you have lupus now. You got it from touching the screen.

[@marceasusanna7749]

Lol

[@billsmelser362]

Better check your Credit Card , you know how FRAUDS feel about being OUTSMARTED

[@jacquelynsmith6259]

I believe what you do in life everyday and how you treat people is what is important to God. Going to all these fake preacher and giving all your money to these people isn't going to save you.

[@VictoriaMarch13]

This was hilarious and sadly too accurate!! Also, I love Wanda Jo! 🤣

[@pinmike8666]

Anyone remember that South Park episode with televangelists asking people to donate a spaceship to bring the Africans back to Earth so they don't reach Marklar?

[@Nyah420]

PinMike Wow! I didn't till I read your comment. I almost wet myself laughing when they showed the televangelist asking for a starship. xD As if, everything was possible. You only needed to get the money to do it. I'm gonna have to watch it again, now. Thanks!

[@JazzKeyboardist1]

That episode must have been after Mister Hanky took over the show?

[@Kotazo85]

***** marklar!

[@Nyah420]

CHRLPTRSN That was very marklar of you. u_u

[@kiwiguy6115]

PinMike woah... you're upside down!

[@snoopy1977]

Well this story hits home, my dad started following an evangelist and instead of receiving treatment for his prostate cancer he went to one of this guy's services and had him place his "healing hands" on him for a cure. With medical treatment he had a 90% chance of living but you can guess how far prayer got him, it got him buried. I'm still furious about it 7 years later.

[@catherinem.a.m.558]

I’m very sorry for your loss

[@jobeyy]

so sorry for your loss

[@higoodbye7545]

Hopefully karma comes round to get them :(

[@ajaxstone]

you mean healing hand in him?

[@myssadonno2759]

@@higoodbye7545 sadly karma is about as real as televangelists

[@captvalstrax]

The best thing that happened involving Robert Tilton is the classic "Farting Preacher"/"Pastor Gas" videos.

[@chrislive1586]

Wow this was 8 years ago and im just getting into John Oliver, great writing!

[@Maxisamo1]

I called the number, I am not disappointed

[@Decrazy123]

Maxisamo1 what happend??

[@Decrazy123]

Maxisamo1 just asking i live in india i dont think i can call the number

[@reillyburnham6400]

+Mohammed Hakeem its just a funny message from john oliver, its 1 800 so you should be able to call.

[@kylej.4263]

Ikr hilarious

[@gt1r]

Just called the number... Lmfao

[@jaysonburke799]

Kenneth Copeland is actively discrediting Biden's win in the 2020 election. John, I think it's time to do a pt 2.

[@CherryBomb_Games]

Because of course he is. jfc...

[@bigred3164]

Kenneth Copeland is still alive???

[@squiddy077]

@@bigred3164 unfortunately

[@DamienDrake2940]

John needs to do Christian Nationalism. That was the major force behind the 6ers.

[@denisenilsson1366]

@@bigred3164 And they say that miracles aren't real!

[@theresasutton6311]

Without a doubt, one of my favorite of his programs. Haven’t laughed😂so hard in awhile

[@beverlyblake4325]

This is this the best episode ever!

[@SWHalo2]

"My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." - Jesus

[@lkhjsdfg]

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. - Jesus (when he's not advocating slavery)

[@blacksun3884]

“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire the free gift of God with money." -Peter admonishing Simon, Acts 8:20 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and worldly possessions." Matthew 6:24

[@emil5111]

+Scott Cox How many slaves did jesus own exacly? How many people did jesus kill? Wasnt this a time when slavery was seen as normal as us owning a pet? Please awnser these as unbiased as possible and we can start an actual conversation

[@Swinburnean]

Why are you trying to engage such an obvious troll? The quotation is taken out of context; it would be like attributing Hamlet's words to William Shakespeare (technically correct but, for the argument he's making, completely disingenuous). Also, not once did Jesus advocate slavery.

[@SniperMasterB]

+john P he owned none because while he himself wasn't a slave he acted as a servant and a master

[@biblicalbroadcasting2639]

Funny how skeptical they are of medical treatment when they've clearly had quite a bit of medical treatment on their faces.

[@shannaroe5189]

Kenneth Copeland looks like he went to the funeral of someone he fleeced for many thousands of dollars, thinking it would make a nice photo op, but while no one was looking , took the skin from the corpse and sewed it over his own face. I honestly don't mind that Gloria Copeland lives in a six million dollar home and has a private jet. I consider those things fair payment for her having to sleep with him on occasion.

[@boopadoop2336]

Kenneth Copeland looked like he died in 1509 and was frozen

[@FactStorm]

LMAO, she's a witch!

[@dougwilliams5474]

I’m surprised Joel Osteen hasn’t had more treatments on his face; his face screams out, “PLEASE PUNCH ME!!!”

[@fuziontonygaming]

This got me lol

[@starkotic]

Ironically an ad for a collection of last week tonight recordings was on the screen as this episode ended. Classic!

[@michaelcook6855]

This one is a true classic!

[@joeguy5989]

I tried to convince my Mom that the evangelist she watches on TV, and sends money to, was caught driving a Ferrari, but she did not believe me; Her own son. She thought the show I had watched was lying.

[@malloryg4251]

That's really sad, clearly your mom has been brainwashed. I wish you could at least stop her from donating money, what a waste!!

[@silversparrow6656]

My mom was the same. She spent her entire life watching these guys, sending them hard earned money and confessing and 'claiming' money, cars, and mansions - that never came. She died penniless, senile and alone at a shabby seniors home. People get addicted to these schizophrenic preachers the same way kids get addicted to candy. Because the false promises of power and wealth taste sweet, and give a rush. But in the end the people who consume it are sick with a pseudo-biblical kind of mental illness and superstition. And the only thing I could ever do is let her go, and learn the hard way. But you're not alone. It helps so much to remember that you're only accountable for yourself.

[@BennyP3nny]

I did the same, she slapped me and I moved away shortly after. If she wants to waste her life sending that con her paychecks, fine then

[@joeguy5989]

@@BennyP3nny I'm sorry you had that experience. I guess this is a sore spot for a lot of people. I wonder how these con artists can even look at themselves in the mirror after years of fooling older people out of their savings.

[@d0u6la5m]

repent for you are attacking baby jeebus you heathen.

[@Barnacules]

944 televangelists watched this. #DislikeJoke

[@ubtri]

Barnacules Nerdgasm lol

[@milesmcstylez]

Barnacules Nerdgasm Lol more likely it was people who just planted another seed and don't want to hear it was a waste of money

[@andycarson7999]

ermahgerd! bernaclers nerdgersm!!!!

[@bullballsallday]

milesmcstylez Sadly, there are people who are so desperate to believe in something that some are willing to swallow this bullshit. It's sad, pathetic, and pitiful.

[@shibalyss]

1000 already, but that really good for a three million view video

[@pepper419]

Love this all the way from Australia. Wish I was there in the audience.

[@katim.5091]

Once again you prove that learning can be entertaining

[@JaredC63]

"act happy over my blessings, folks" is possibly the most narcissistic and insufferable sentence that has ever been spoken. I'm definitely using it from now on

[@undrwatropium3724]

Best comment ever 🤣

[@JABoyle3875]

Don’t forget to use the look on that guy’s face in the freeze frame.

[@porkchop4401]

Yep. And the worst part is nothing will ever happen to him. Death is death But life is where you can be hurt and humbled.

[@boRegah]

Well, non-sociopaths tend not to be so power hungry.

[@michelegyselinck5400]

I’m a Christian and I believe that God is waiting for him when he dies, but it won’t be with a welcoming committee. He’s going straight to hell.

[@brianc3761]

We need a cross over episode with the vulgar squirrel, so he can whip out a check and say "Eat shit, Bob!"

[@ramonabarros5676]

BRILLIANT EPISODE

[@Cabral_del_Norte]

2020, this episode never gets old.

[@BiffChunksteak]

Hasamalabasa! Fabalamasala! I'm not making this up! Savannamanilla! Favelapelada!

[@harrycoleii7659]

The follow up segment is excellent also!!

[@ilikebeingsmart]

Sometimes I watch this to cheer myself up, which I kinda need at the moment with all that’s going on.

[@AlphaladZXA]

Kinda makes me question why they still exist, almost all the ones I see on my grandparents TV shows look like frauds and leeches on blindly faithful people.

[@lachailillmclennan7149]

Do you own a time machine?

[@canadadrypopcan]

John Stewart may be gone, but Mr Oliver is a master at unmasking hypocrisy. Well done

[@moviemetalhead]

If John Stewart was the master, then George Carlin was the pioneer.

[@canadadrypopcan]

+moviemetalhead agreed I still watch carlin every week.

[@0515stan]

Jeff Tanski Good for you. I have better uses for my time.

[@calebfultz6797]

Jeff Tanski Jon*

[@benjaminr8229]

0515stan you sure showed him! Good for you.

[@TheZealousNobleman]

Make another Church video episode John Oliver and team! Not only is it hilarious and funny, but it’s much needed! And I’m a Christian in the church.

[@jazzanietrujillo2033]

Anyone else think that Copeland guy straight up looks like he could play the devil in a movie???

[@elleboogie2020]

Me!! Especially when you pause video of him. His eyes are vacant and his mouth is...weird.

[@EuroGuy85]

I’m willing to put money that he’s the devil in real life

[@vernalgrenier3369]

ourladyofperpetualexemption.com shows this message: It is I, Megareverend and C.E.O. of Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption Church, Pastor John Oliver. We thank you for all your kind donations, but I’m sorry to report that we have closed down the church. And let me take a moment to explain why - it’s certainly not because we have to. We have still, miraculously, not broken any laws by promising you untold riches in return for sending us money. We’re also not closing down because you all kept sending us actual seeds, even though we explicitly told you not to. We’re closing because multiple people sent us sperm through the mail. And when someone sends you jizz through the mail, it’s time to stop whatever you’re doing. So we are shutting this s**t down. Praise be! P.S. All previous monetary donations have been forwarded to Doctors Without Borders. We did not send the sperm.

[@PONYBOYonline]

Why in a movie? He’s playing the devil in real life.

[@carolineakinyi9103]

There is something definitely not right about him.

[@mordant221]

"If you want to get rich, start a religion" - L. Ron Hubbard. Or in these people's case, exploit an existing one.

[@mordant221]

Mordant Victor After watching the whole video, I feel for the victims of those scams the same way I feel for teenagers jumping off roofs and riding shopping carts into walls... nothing

[@uncreativepanda]

Mordant Victor Even the ones with mental disorders? Man that is some truly fucked up shit..

[@magisch430]

Mordant Victor L Ron Hubbard got seriously upset that he wasnt making real money from His fantasy novels, so he opted to start a religion instead.

[@AlwaysANemesis]

+Mordant Victor Not everybody is a very quick-witted individual, that's true. But to be absolutely honest, even _if_ they did bring it on themselves, some people are just in such shitty conditions, delusion can cause someone to beg for any escape from those problems. I'm not saying it's smart, I'm not saying I condone it. I just still feel for some of these people who get scammed.

[@MULSIPHER]

+Mordant Victor If you want to get rich you vote in the federal reserve act, taxes, cap and trade, regulations, fees, something your government is good at! Oh and wars to the false flags the lies but hey just remain "normally biased"k its the Nazi thing to do!

[@Nightingale34]

The foot one was gold. Lol. Thanks Last Week Tonight!

[@BKKfreak]

You can't ignore the facts. John Oliver started seeding... And he's doing great! 😂

[@Thechad201]

Call the number. It's pretty damn funny.

[@lordfusion38]

Thechad201 Praise be, caller, praise be.

[@weirdzfully]

Do it!

[@Paranormal1364]

Thechad201 I just called the number it was hilarious

[@penguinpopper1]

Thechad201 GIVE ME MONEY!

[@gh0stcrab360]

What happened?

[@detroy1234]

its fucked up so many of our parents believe strongly in this....sigh

[@edgarmedina9910]

+Lukku Láki From what I've seen is not that they are dumb is that they are desperate and taking advantage of someone like that is one of the lowest things someone can do

[@nathanfranks1476]

Theodore Cornwall I think they believe in tithing, which is quite different then this

[@sithersproductions]

***** butthurt atheist irreligious population will decrease by 2050

[@mwyz]

Theodore Cornwall I don't know where you live, so maybe it's true where you're from, but even though my father and some of my family members are extremely Catholic, they would never believe in televangelicals. In fact, I don't think anyone who has actually read the Bible could believe these crazies preach the word of God...

[@Fumwum]

Bruh, people gettin' mad.

[@idongesitusen5764]

Codie Osteen’s healing of cancer shows that while faith can be a vital element to recovery, it’s important to take the advice & treatments of medical professionals into account: They can often serve as the vessels for God’s healing to come through(every case is different though, sometimes). I think the “I want it now, my way” flair that’s wrapped around society over the decades has made us sometimes see spirituality as an ala carte service for miracles & prosperity, but we have to remember why we say”Patience is a virtue”. God knows us better than we do & gives us what we *Need*, when we Need it.

[@tonymccann1978]

18:45 I touched the screen and something happened…because I'm watching on my ipad

[@adub4ever]

Faith is the willful suspension of logic & reason.

[@billwalkerable]

+adub4ever Yes, you're right.

[@robertbl22]

+adub4ever A generic belief in vague magical good stuff without logic and reason is Hollywood's crap idea of religion. I can't speak for the other religions, but Christian faith is a trusting relationship with Jesus.

[@robertbl22]

***** You kinda missed the point. Faith (Christian faith) is a loving, reconciled relationship with the source of life itself. It's liberating. Yes, I felt a little silly at first, like I had a made-up friend. But most born-again Christians I've talked to have that similar experience. I've heard that people from certain other religions also report a similar born-again experience. Stupid arguments about Creation vs. Evolution don't matter to this kind of faith. And personally I think Richard Dawkins is a genius.

[@fotc1lova]

+Irving Ceron Faith is not synonymous with trust. Trust is earned and/or granted tentatively based on an accumulation of past experiences and an understanding of how things work. Faith, by definition, is believing in something without evidence.... which is a problem, because that opens the door to believing anything at all, which includes thinking that you're doing something good when it fact it is very harmful.

[@gentlemanredefined]

+Irving Ceron Faith and trust are indeed close and it's easy to get them confused just like with other synonymous terms in our language. But the difference between the two (in religious terms) does stem from the amount of evidence one has to believe. If it is reasonable to believe that something may or may not be true then you would say you trust that it is true. But if you have no substantial reason to believe then it is referred to as faith. Most pastors/ministers/religious leaders will tell you that (blind) faith is a qualification for belief in that religion. From the Stanford Encyclopedia, concerning the epistemology of faith you get this more firm, and widely held position of faith: "faith goes beyond what is ordinarily reasonable, in the sense that it involves accepting what cannot be established as true through the proper exercise of our naturally endowed human cognitive facilities". Basically faith is little more than a "hunch" or a "feeling" that something is true and does not rely on actual evidence. Synonyms are closely related but the words don't mean the exact same things. They are just similar. Faith and trust are just quite similar and are often used to help describe one another. Like I did above. Just a side note: don't appeal to dictionary terms too much because dictionaries don't reason. They are short, concise, and lack meaningful depth in their descriptions which don't usually provide real, meaningful insight or understanding to a word. For this and other reasons "appeal to definition"/" appeal to the dictionary" is a logical fallacy.

[@ManiaMac1613]

From an athiest's point of view, your faith would have to be pretty weak if you believe your best chance of winning God's favor is bribing him. If God was real, I'd imagine he wouldn't approve.

[@ryboy344]

ManiaMac1613 A) Don't be a douchebag. B) From their perspective, they aren't "bribing" God. As was said in the video, these televangelists preach that money is a symbol of God's favour, and that sowing a "seed" will result in your contribution coming back to you many times over, thus giving you God's favour. I'm not saying that it's a totally logical belief, nor am I saying that the entire thing is anything less than despicable. But the way you're portraying these people (those who send money to these televangelists) is completely disingenuous.

[@jhonviel7381]

ManiaMac1613 of course an athiest would think god is a man, world doesnt revolve around you kiddo

[@smala017]

These people weren't trying to "bribe him" to cure their cancer!!! Donations to (seemingly) good causes is bribery??? No! God will reward acts of generosity and selflessness. I don't think the woman in the video thinks that donating will "bribe God" to cure her cancer.she believes in doing the right thing. I doubt any money she had could have helped her cancer, so she decided to instead give it to what she thought (correctly or incorrectly) was a good charity, who needed it more than she did. Maybe she believed that by doing the right thing, she'd likely be rewarded after life. It's not like she was giving money to God "bribing him" for anything, she was doing the bight thing, selflessly donating her money to charity (not directly to God: lol, a bribe has to be payed to the bribee to be a bribe, not donated to a charity). God rewards actions of selflessness and generosity, just like he rewards countless other good deeds, but doing good deeds because you believe you will reap (Cont.)

[@smala017]

(Cnt.) ...reap later rewards is not bribery. What Christians believe is that good deeds on Earth, making sacrifices for the greater Earthly good, will result in rewards in heaven. If you want to look at THAT as bribery, go ahead. God asking people to make the world a better place in exchange for the prospect of a good afterlife is not a bribe. And if it was, it would be a good bribe, what harm can come from making the world a better place?

[@LaFonteCheVi]

hWhat're Yedoinson Stephen Malacaria He isn't being a "douchebag", he stating the obvious. Let's be real here, the people who fall for this sort of thing are some of the most gullible, shallow-thinking, desperate people alive. These are people who lack any sort of critical thinking skills and are easily whipped up into a frenzy just by spouting a few flowery words. These are the same types of people that could be made to kill and strap bombs to their chests just by extorting their faith. Anyone who has read the Bible knows that it is absolutely meaningless to give money for blessings. ManiaMac1613 is absolutely right in saying that these people are trying to bribe God for favors. While they might not be directly "giving money to god", what they are doing is giving to "charity" so God will do them favors. This is just a round-about sort of bribery. It's the whole, "if I do X number of good deeds, God will give me X as a reward" mentality. Virtually all major religions preach against this way of thinking. This way of thinking is greedy, shallow, and spiritually vacuous. The Bible encourages charity, it does not encourage charity for reward. THE ENTIRE PURPOSE OF CHARITY IS TO DO GOOD WITH NO EXPECTATION OF A REWARD. If you are giving your money away for the sake of curing your disease, getting more money, etc, then you are doing the exact opposite of what charity is meant to be about. This sort of thinking uses God as nothing more than a slot machine where you put good deed tokens in and get rewards out.

[@o__o.6212]

That philosophy that extreme wealth is a result of moral living is funny, reminds me of good old Calvinism, which kind of boiled down to “your fate is predetermined, f*ck the poor and unfortunate, because they’re clearly destined to be evil”

[@iquanyin1]

yep. it has it roots in calvinism.

[@thatocelot879]

Sad that Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption is gone now. I wanted to convert.