#340 - The Vatican, Demons & CREEPIEST Pastor in America | Religion Business

27 snips

Sep 26, 2025

Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker and investigative reporter focusing on megachurch finances, and Chris Ayoub, a tech innovator for ethical governance in religious nonprofits, discuss their docuseries, exposing financial abuse in Western religion. They delve into how Christianity transformed from a counterculture into an institutional empire, the troubling ease of declaring a church, and the opacity of financial practices in churches. The conversation also touches on the psychological factors keeping congregants in abusive systems and the need for transparency in religious organizations.

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ANECDOTE

Near-Death Pivot To Mission

Nathan recounts a near-fatal quad crash at 16 that changed his life and perspective. He credits prayer and recovery with steering him toward filmmaking and investigating religious institutions.

INSIGHT

When Institutions Infect Faith

Christianity institutionalized as it gained political favor, turning social care into large organizations. Nathan warns institutions can 'disease' the original organism of faith and corrupt mission over time.

INSIGHT

How 'Church' Became A Legal Loophole

In the U.S. anyone can declare themselves a church and gain tax exemptions without IRS scrutiny. The IRS uses a nonbinding 14-point checklist (from a 1960s court case) because it cannot legally define 'church' under the First Amendment.

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PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey (***TIMESTAMPS in description below) ~ Nathan Apffel and Chris Ayoub are the creators of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries exposing the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion. Beyond filmmaking, Apffel and Ayoub are building tech-driven solutions to push for transparency, ethical governance, and redirecting resources toward real issues like poverty and homelessness. RELIGION BUSINESS LINKS: The Religion Business Website - https://www.thereligionbusiness.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/nathan_apffel/# IG: https://www.instagram.com/religionbusiness YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkynle-j4cDBB-5_bAp81mQ FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY INSTAGRAM (Podcast): https://www.instagram.com/juliandoreypodcast/ INSTAGRAM (Personal): https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://twitter.com/julianddorey JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 00:00 - Intro 01:13 – Tommy G, Religion Business, Nate’s Accident, $1 Trillion Christianity, Daughter’s Birth 10:00 – Chris Intro, Christianity, Institutions, Saints Built Orphanages, Can It Stay Pure? 20:43 – Cyclical, Gateway Church, Secular vs Religious Nonprofits, 14 Points, Hells Angels, IRS 30:48 – Scientology, Vatican, Good Intentions to Hell, Tithing, Middle Man, Matthew 25 43:20 – Gift Giving, Transparency, Senator Hatfield, ECFA, Mailers = Money 50:12 – Kenneth Copeland, MLM?, Fear Engine, Mega Pastors Opposite of Jesus 01:01:54 – Blessing?, Mosaic Laws, Leviticus, Black Israelites, Churches as Enterprises 01:10:33 – Clergy Demoralized, Buildings, Parishes, YOU Are the Temple 01:22:20 – Faith in Faith, Mega Pastors, Ignorance, Only 13% Read Bible, Chris Reads as History 01:31:33 – Fooled by Pastors, Self-Focus, Military, Quitting Drinking, Hero Journey = Jesus 01:39:33 – Civilian Life, Missing Danger, Holy Spirit, Everything on the Altar 01:47:01 – Not a Poor Gospel, Parables vs Exceptions, Read Genesis to Revelation 01:51:34 – Socialism, Communism, Republic, Capitalism, Christ’s Social Message, Tribe 01:59:47 – Demons, Stardust, S3xual Energy Transfer, Angels, Humility 02:09:01 – Atheist vs Christian, CIA, 14 Points Control, Religion + Politics = Death Rattle 02:19:21 – Christianity & Gov, Moral Authority, Islam vs Christianity, Johnson Amendment 02:25:00 – Johnson Amendment, Netanyahu, Religion + Politics, Abdication, Read Bible 02:35:00 – Paying Congregation?, No Full-Time Pastors, Traditions as Doctrine 02:39:58 – Charlie Kirk Shot, No Hope, Religion Online, Baby Christians, Revival? 02:52:20 – Murder Charlotte, Beast Train, Hate & Homelessness, Tommy G, Copeland Recap 03:05:37 – Copeland $700M, Debate Pastors, Cayman Drops, Religion Business Beginning 03:16:25 – Christ & Truth Arbiter CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 340 - Religion Business Music by Artlist.io

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