Julian Dorey Podcast

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

Sep 26, 2025
Guest
Chris Ayoub
Guest
Nathan Apffel
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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