Nathan Apffel - Inside the Dark World of Megachurches and Corrupt Pastors | SRS #233

Sep 4, 2025 Shawn Ryan Show
Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scandals and abuse, Apffel investigates how religious institutions accumulate vast wealth, estimated at $2 trillion in the U.S. alone, while often prioritizing internal spending over community impact, with 94 cents of every donated dollar staying within church walls. Co-produced with Chris Ayoub, the series features interviews with experts like Joel Osteen and highlights issues like the religious exemption from financial reporting.

Apffel is developing tech solutions to promote transparency and community-driven reform in religious organizations. He advocates for ethical governance, victim support, and redirecting resources to solve global issues like poverty and homelessness. Based in the U.S., Apffel blends storytelling, technology, and faith to challenge the status quo and foster meaningful change in the "nonprofit Goliath" of organized religion.

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Nathan Apffel Links:
The Religion Business Website - https://www.thereligionbusiness.com
IG - / nathan_apffel
IG - / religionbusiness
YT - / @thereligionbusiness

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00:00 Introduction and Nervousness
00:16 Exposing Corruption in the Church
01:31 Public Reaction and Cultural Issues
04:36 Defining the True Church
06:26 Personal Faith Journey
08:19 The Role of Money in Churches
11:25 Gift of a Historical Bible
16:11 The Religion Business Docuseries
24:36 Modern Corruption vs. Biblical Ministry
38:06 Faith, Compensation, and Curiosity
47:17 Money, Mentors, and Monetization
49:14 Religious Corruption: A Case Study
01:11:17 LDS Church and Financial Secrecy
01:19:24 Church Structures and Loopholes
01:26:04 Support Systems and Mental Health
01:28:36 Transparency in Religious Finances
01:32:39 Extravagance in Mega Churches
01:40:15 Inurement and Exploitation
01:45:02 Kenneth Copeland Controversy
02:05:18 Faith, Struggles, and True Intentions
02:13:44 Financial Reform in the Church
02:18:31 Tithing and Misinterpretation
02:27:59 Transparency and Accountability
02:34:22 Church Reformation and the Path Forward
02:40:51 Final Thoughts and Call to Action