$1 Trillion in Donations. ZERO Transparency. Nathan & Chris Ayoub Reveal Everything | DSH #1675

Nathan and Chris from The Religion Business return to break down one of the most shocking and underreported issues in America:

How a trillion-dollar religious industry operates with zero required transparency.

📘 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
💰 How mega churches operate financially without IRS oversight
🏠 Why pastors legally take unlimited tax-free housing allowances
🚨 How Nathan ended up arrested for asking basic questions
📊 Why transparency is nearly impossible in the current system
📉 How $92 billion gets stolen from church donors every year
🏛️ Why some churches function more like dynasties than ministries
📘 What scripture actually says vs how it’s commonly used
✝️ Why reading the Bible alone creates real spiritual maturity
⚖️ How political power merges with religious authority
🔎 Why a new social contract is needed for nonprofits
📱 How donors can use tech to hold churches accountable
🏡 Why home churches are rising as mega churches decline

CHAPTERS
00:00 – How they pick targets: “God puts breadcrumbs in front of us”
01:00 – The Religion Business series officially releases
01:41 – Not a hit piece — why they chose an exploratory approach
03:01 – Getting arrested during an investigation
04:43 – Housing allowances & pastors taking unlimited tax-free money
06:20 – The pastor with $15M in real estate
07:35 – Why members left after seeing the show
08:43 – Mega churches with 5k–10k members & private garages
09:55 – Should member count be capped? Transparency vs power
10:50 – The tipping point: donors taking control
11:51 – 800 pastors contacted… zero responses
13:02 – The Chicago mega church that shut down transparency
14:00 – Are churches businesses? $1 trillion says yes
15:01 – Why churches don’t file with the IRS
16:22 – The Hell’s Angels qualify as a church — here’s why
17:58 – Most Christians don’t actually read the Bible
19:26 – Why reading and praying alone builds true foundations
21:15 – How pastors twist scripture to raise millions
23:25 – The tithe: what the Bible actually says
24:52 – If churches solved homelessness, donations would dry up
26:58 – Politics + religion = the historical “death rattle”
29:04 – Paula White’s confidential bylaws & total veto power
31:25 – Political funding from church donations
33:00 – Should churches pay taxes? The new social contract
34:37 – $92B stolen by church staff annually
36:00 – The real estate scandals no one talks about
38:11 – Justin Bieber’s pastor & ignored olive branches
39:47 – Why no pastor will debate them
41:00 – The slush-fund problem: ministry expenses with no definitions
43:15 – The Broken Shepherds app: transparency for donors
44:51 – Home churches vs mega churches
46:05 – What’s next: tours, screenings, and the stories they held back
47:32 – Guns, drugs & Cayman money drops — why they weren’t included (yet)
48:20 – Where to watch the series & final thoughts

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⚠️ DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team.

While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show.

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We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program.

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🔑 KEYWORDS
the religion business interview, nathan chris religion business, mega church investigation, church corruption documentary, housing allowance loophole, pastor salary controversy, church transparency irs, broken shepherds app