On Last Week Tonight, the comedian shed light on one of America's scummiest operations.
To dismantle the money-grubbing schemes of Christian evangelists, John Oliver simply rolled their clips. In snippets of televised broadcasts, pastors like Robert Tilton and Creflo Dollar preached to their devout followers about "planting seeds." If they sent tithes to the churches— $100, $500, $1000—the seed money would grow under God's watch. Oliver's audience held a steady groan through the segment. It wasn't just that the ploy was obvious (Dollar is open about jetting from venue to venue in his $65 million dollar private jet), but that good people were susceptible. The evangelists prey on those in need, twist arms using faith-filled words. Oliver wanted to see it for himself, so he enrolled in Tilton's donation plan. What followed was seven months of cash demands, promises for a better life, and zero accountability. We'll let Oliver explain in the video above. And stay through the entire segment; in the end, Oliver and Rachel Dratch decide to start their own church. Because if religious organizations can con money away from innocent people without any IRS intrusion, why shouldn't they get in on the fun? Christ.