John Oliver Starts His Own Church to Expose “Predatory” Televangelists

Before making the decision to start his own church, Oliver sent televangelist Robert Tilden a donation and found himself in a weird correspondence that left the host $319 poorer with nothing to show for it.

The host shared what seemed like an endless collection of clips of evangelists boasting about their private luxury jets – paid for with believer’s donations – and demanding viewers send them more “seed money” with the promise that it will lead them to great wealth one day.

John Oliver delivered the sermon of a lifetime on Sunday night, turning his “Last Week Tonight” studio into his church and the audience into his congregants. Oliver referred to him as the “reverse Noah”, killing animals two by two. And all of this is legal and tax free because televangelists operate as churches or religious organizations.

Oliver made it clear that he was not attacking all houses of worship, as he said, “Churches are a cornerstone of American life”.

However, Oliver wasn’t motivated by an epiphany or some higher power to create his own church. Bonnie believed that her best chance of being healed from cancer was to donate to Kenneth Copeland’s church, rather than seek medical treatment.

In the meantime, Mega-Reverend and CEO of Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption Oliver still tried out this whole televangelist thing with the help of special guest star Rachel Dratch filling the role of his loving wife by his side.

“Get off the phone and find someone who is willing to give me money”, he says, repeatedly shouting at the caller to send money or risk God’s wrath.

“The argument is, sow your money in the ground and you will reap multiple returns many time over”, Oliver explained. More specifically, it was one he founded that goes by the name of Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption and is trying to officially establish with the IRS.