The Vatican is Covering Up the Most EVIL Crime In History | Nathan Apffel

Apffel argues that American churches have adopted a capitalistic mindset, prioritizing ownership, profits, and growth over the core Christian tenets of loving one's neighbor and sharing. This is evident in mega-churches demanding tithes and donations while accumulating vast wealth and providing minimal community support, contrasting sharply with the self-sustaining, community-focused model of a Brazilian seminary that never accepted donations.

Apffel recounts his experience with a Brazilian seminary that built its own brick-making business to support orphans and teach skills, never taking donations, which he contrasts with American churches that demand 10% or more while telling congregants to 'learn to fish' if they need help. He states, 'We capitalize and consumerize a faith that was never meant to be sold.'

Religious institutions in the US benefit from a unique tax exemption that frees them from filing IRS Form 990, a standard requirement for other nonprofits. This lack of transparency means there's no legal document to hold churches accountable for their finances, enabling leaders to misappropriate funds, conceal lavish salaries, and engage in questionable real estate dealings.

Apffel explains that while other nonprofits must file Form 990, churches do not, creating a 'dark world' where 'no legal document a religious organization could be held to account on' exists. He cites the example of Pastor Ed Young Jr., whose housing allowance was $240,000 in 2005, and who owns multi-million dollar homes, with current estimated mortgages alone exceeding $3.6 million annually, all unaccounted for publicly.

The systemic lack of accountability extends beyond finances to child safety. Religious institutions are often not federally mandated to conduct background checks for volunteers or employees, nor are clergy mandatory reporters of child abuse in most states. This legal vacuum, combined with the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), creates an environment where predators can operate with impunity and abuse is covered up.

Apffel highlights that churches are not federally mandated to background check employees or volunteers, nor are clergy mandatory reporters in most states. He details how churches use NDAs to silence victims, citing 'Trey's Law' which aims to abolish this practice. He states, 'If people don't know your finances, I can use those finances to cover up other crimes.'

Richard Halverson, former Chaplain of the US Senate, articulated the evolution of the church: from a fellowship (Greece) to a philosophy, then an institution (Rome), a culture (Europe), and finally an 'enterprise' in America. This transformation signifies a shift from spiritual community to a business model, where faith is commoditized and leveraged for political and financial gain.

Apffel quotes Richard Halverson: 'In the beginning, the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece where it became a philosophy, then it moved to Rome where it became an institution. Next it moved to Europe where it became a culture and finally it moved to America where it became an enterprise.'