The Vatican, Demons & Creepiest Pastor in America - Religion Business (Video)

In this 26 September 2025 published video, host Julian Dorey talks with guests Nathan Apffel and Chris Ayoub, the creators of The Religion Business presented 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.

The concept of the “evil business of religion” refers to the ways in which religious institutions can become corrupt, exploitative, and harmful, focusing on issues like financial mismanagement, abuse of power, the selling of salvation, and the use of faith to justify violence and injustice. This perspective suggests that while religion can be a force for good, its institutions are susceptible to corruption, requiring transparency, accountability, and a focus on authentic faith over institutional structures to prevent such abuses. 

https://youtu.be/_XOOLQhK-_0

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

AI created paragraphs on Financial Corruption and Exploitation in religious business. 

• Lack of Transparency: 

  Religious organizations, particularly those with nonprofit status, often lack financial transparency compared to secular nonprofits, which must file public tax documents. Funds meant for charitable causes can be diverted to leaders’ personal wealth, luxury items, or undisclosed investments, as seen in some megachurches and LDS church finances. 

• Selling Indulgences: 

  Historically, churches have engaged in practices like selling indulgences for the remission of sins, a business model that exploits the desire for forgiveness and salvation. 

Abuse of Power

• Abuse of Authority: 

  Religious leaders can exploit their authority for personal gain or to commit harmful acts, such as sexual abuse, against those under their care. 

• Blind Obedience: 

  Corrupt religious leaders may foster blind obedience in their followers, turning them into victims of cults and mass suicide, as with Jim Jones. Religious ideologies can be used to justify violence, conflict, and oppression, leading to wars like the Crusades, even against peaceful populations. 

Corporate Structures and Institutions

• Institutions vs. Faith: 

  The “religion business” critique highlights the way religious organizations can prioritize their institutional goals and financial stability over the spiritual needs of their members. Tax-exempt status can enable financial mismanagement and impede the organic flow of resources, as religious nonprofits are not held to the same standards as other businesses. There is a concern that the lines between the spiritual body of believers and the corporate, business aspect of the church can become blurred, leading to disillusionment and harm. 

Distinguishing Authentic Faith from Corrupt Practices

• Need for Authenticity: 

  Experts like Charles Kimball argue that authentic faith is distinct from corrupt religious expression and is essential for preventing religious evil. 

• Focus on Core Beliefs: 

  A return to core scriptures and a faith placed in the God of the scriptures, rather than in the institution, is seen as a path to challenge corrupt practices and focus on the Creator. Both the spiritual body of believers and the business aspects of religious institutions need to be held accountable for abuses and misconduct.