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Televangelists: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

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Published 17 Aug 2015

U.S. tax law allows television preachers to get away with almost anything. We know this from personal experience. Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption will not be able to accept donations from Church supporters from the states of Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, or South Carolina. We apologize for any inconvenience. Connect with Last Week Tonight online... Subscribe to the Last Week Tonight YouTube channel for more almost news as it almost happens: www.youtube.com/user/LastWeekTonight Find Last Week Tonight on Facebook like your mom would: http://Facebook.com/LastWeekTonight Follow us on Twitter for news about jokes and jokes about news: http://Twitter.com/LastWeekTonight Visit our official site for all that other stuff at once: http://www.hbo.com/lastweektonight

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Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (TV Program)

HBO (TV Network)

John Oliver (TV Writer)

Televangelists

Comments - 46210

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@beachbum15234 years ago As Jackie Gleason so correctly pointed out, "When churches needs money, preachers ask the people for it. When the people need money, the preachers tell them to ask God." 11829
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@blackneos9405 years ago Televangelists: Providing Atheists with ammo for decades. 5804
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@suezbell14 months ago Watching in December 2023 and STILL RELEVANT. 441
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@Mechknight73last year The UK has a series of laws around churches, it's called the "Public good" test. you have to prove that you do ACTUAL not for profit work. For example, there's no disputing the Salvation Army does charitable work, hence the tax exempt status. The Church of Scientology is taxed, because they operate like an MLM, and don't do anything "not for profit." If the IRS finally got their shit together and crack down on these crooks there'd be a whole rank of people in Club Fed. Could even be an Evangelists' Wing of a prison. ... 655
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@hankhouke4 years ago When my grandmother died, we began getting threatening collection calls. They were saying my grandmother was not paying her $1000 a month pledge. We learned she had given her life savings to these clowns, and we also owed thousands to the old folks home and hospital and funeral expenses. This 100 year old woman was not competent at the time, but we never recovered a cent of the $200,000 that this criminal trash had stolen. ... 5657
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@ddfjsdflz9 years ago This actually almost made me cry. My own mother believes in this and for years I've been trying to talk some sense into her which has put a permanent stain in our relationship. These people are horrible. 5652
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@Hyperion17222 years ago Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption! A classic parody! John Oliver's shows are the only ones that I watch over and over and over again. 714
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@pam0626last year The saddest part of this well-researched episode is that the people who need to hear it most probably can’t afford HBO or are too conservative to ever watch it. 486
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@HeRacesTheSun7 years ago Jesus... "Leave your material belongings and follow me"
Televangelists... "We accept all major credit cards" 7713
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@Argumemnon3 years ago "Wealth is a sign of god's favour" Ah, yes. I remember Jesus saying that rich people get easily into Heaven. Sure. 4753
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@loonyluna109611 months ago Celebrating the long overdue passing of Pat Robertson with this classic! 🥳 If Christian heaven is real, at least he isn’t there!! 127
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@kathleenroberts69316 months ago Iceland 🇮🇸 outlawed Televangelists. We should, too! 88
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@darthbane56766 years ago The Bible, I kid you not, details a time when Jesus literally flipped a table in anger over stuff similar to this. 13819
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@novemtigris30414 years ago This takes "we could make a religion out of this" to a whole new level. 3725
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@traceysheneman8652last year I'm a Christian. Not only is this hilarious it is on point. Bravo. 38
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@gspendlovelast year When he introduced Wanda Jo Oliver and I saw it was Rachel Dratch, all I could think of is how much she made me laugh with Debbie Downer, especially when they were at Disney World. That sketch is priceless. 55
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@KevinStagg4 years ago "We've seen midgets grow". Uhmmmmm, those are called children. 9497
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@tekbarrier4 years ago "The size of your seed will determine the size of your harvest"
That's not how plants work 2231
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@AWESOM.Olast year This guy is awesome. He helped me to understand all that well functioning scam machinery set by televangelism... Some robbers have way more honor than those... 98
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@FreddieMercuryyy9 months ago Watched this for the first time in August 2023 and its ever so relevant😂😂 19
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@edwardelric100014 years ago Jesus... "Leave your material belongings and follow me"
Televangelists... "Leave your material belongings with me" 2134
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@ahhhh9133 years ago Ah yes, as Jesus famously said: "get to heaven by buying a private jet, see you there bestie ❤️" 2714
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@kellyyork38984 months ago “There’s a sucker born every minute.”
—PT Barnum 17
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@GuiItyUniverselast month My father revealed to me today he follows the word of Kenneth Copeland.
I cried for him today. He's 70 years old and doesn't understand he's being taken advantage of. 9
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@maleahlock7 years ago I actually have lupus and, believe me, I would throat punch any televangelist who says this. Most people with chronic debilitating illnesses live in poverty because they can no longer work or afford the medical help they need and become desperate to be well. Preying on the desperate is unconscionable. ... 2663
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@vixxiekit97954 years ago 2020 happened because John Oliver didn't send the dollar back. 4140
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@Salty_Puffy11 months ago In Kenya right now, we are facing a church-related massacre where a pastor told his followers to fast to death so that they could meet their god. So far, 133 bodies have been exhumed from the land where the pastor used to bury them, and the process is not over. Hope people in our country saw this video 8 years ago. ... 20
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@susandumbill88058 months ago I went to a church where the 'offerings' etc were supposed to be put into certain envelopes, with your name, amount, date etc. One of the 'pastors' got angry and told us all off because people had been putting empty envelopes in the bucket/whatever, with no names etc on, so he didn't know who these very naughty people were! 🤣😄😉 This happened just before I left the organization, and I must say, it was quite entertaining, to see him upset and so frustrated! 😂😄😉⚠️⚠️⚠️🌟😉😄🤣 ... 19
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@kendallbohlen32383 years ago For someone who has Lupus and grew up in church, this hit on such a level. I had so many people lay hands on me after I was diagnosed in high school and it jaded the hell out of me. Also these type of preachers are EVERYWHERE and they are bastards. ... 3043
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@Zulf853 years ago God, that tax lawyer must have had fun with this lmao 1277
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@michaelnomura51965 months ago When I was seven years old, I always wondered how our Pastor could afford to have a new car every year? 17
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@yogsenforfoth5948last month Rachel Dratch as Wanda Jo was absolutely brilliant. 😂 4
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@erttheking9 years ago It's worth noting that if you google Televangelist, this is the first result. 5696
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@snoopy19773 years ago Well this story hits home, my dad started following an evangelist and instead of receiving treatment for his prostate cancer he went to one of this guy's services and had him place his "healing hands" on him for a cure. With medical treatment he had a 90% chance of living but you can guess how far prayer got him, it got him buried. I'm still furious about it 7 years later. ... 3660
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@hollyaveentone week ago This is an actual man of God. Bless you John Oliver! All hail the Lady of Perpetual Exemption!! 2
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@Son98 years ago My mom believes in this bullshit. I talked to her the other day about the guy wanting money to buy a private jet and she said it was a 'blessing' and that he 'worked hard for it' (i.e. sowing seed through either trials or literal money) and when I mentioned that money could be put to better use helping the poor she basically said I and others who think like me are jealous haters. Honestly....da fuck. ... 906
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@CapricornSister132 years ago When I found out my mom was actually sending money to Kenneth Copeland I immediately became the only person in the house that checked the mail. She never personally received another letter from them. We never could figure out why... 🤔😇 ... 1089
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@totally_a_real_account7902last year Now that is a good suit. The grey with the nice blue tones, if John Oliver had blue eyes, the tie would really bring them out. AND it works with the beige vest that he puts on at the end? Amazing. It makes sure that John doesn’t disappear into the background, but also isn’t too bold that he becomes the center of attention. 11/10 ... 4
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@shampoofully7923last year Just to update everyone. “Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption” was closed because multiple people sent sperm.
Wish I was lying 41
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@DaVultCave8 years ago The most ironic thing about the things these preachers preach is that there is literally a parable in the Bible about a guy who literally buried his money in the actual ground and what did he get out of it? Nothing! He got kicked out of the house. :| ... 636
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@Jennifer838818 months ago 😂 Absolutely love this episode 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Excellent roast & point 👍🏻 5
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@brycemonson604last month I have seen the light! Bless you Brother John! 2
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@JaredC632 years ago "act happy over my blessings, folks" is possibly the most narcissistic and insufferable sentence that has ever been spoken. I'm definitely using it from now on 1386
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@nikushim66652 years ago Reading the closure statement on the website was also hilarious. "We have still, miraculously, not broken any laws by promising you untold riches in return for sending us money. We’re also not closing down because you all kept sending us actual seeds, even though we explicitly told you not to. We’re closing because multiple people sent us sperm through the mail. And when someone sends you jizz through the mail, it’s time to stop whatever you’re doing." ... 3114
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@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460last year It is always John saying (@), "And lo, another box was ticked!" that always makes me pass out laughing!!! 😂😅😆🤣😅😂😆 4
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@o__o.62125 months ago That philosophy that extreme wealth is a result of moral living is funny, reminds me of good old Calvinism, which kind of boiled down to “your fate is predetermined, f*ck the poor and unfortunate, because they’re clearly destined to be evil” ... 18
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@ericb.43134 years ago I may not be religious, but didn't Jesus drive people like this out of a temple with a makeshift whip made of rose stems? 3268
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@corentin26387 years ago Man, America truly is a fucked up place sometimes 469
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@SilverDulerlast year I feel I learn a lot every single time I watch John Oliver show 6
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@chrislive15862 weeks ago Wow this was 8 years ago and im just getting into John Oliver, great writing! 6
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@Onlera4 years ago Okay, that cancer bit made me really mad.
I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at the end of last year. For the first few months of 2020, I went through an awful regime of chemotherapy which, even tho it’s over, is still affecting my hands and cognitive abilities.
So knowing that someone tried to turn the horror and fear that goes with facing a cancer diagnosis into monetary profit, preying on someone so vulnerable, makes me immensely mad. ... 1640
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@lindawoodring74044 years ago "He loves you and he needs MONEY! he's all powerful, all knowing, all loving, Just can't handle money" - Gorge Carlin 409
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@theresasutton63117 months ago Without a doubt, one of my favorite of his programs. Haven’t laughed😂so hard in awhile 1
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@VictoriaMarch139 months ago This was hilarious and sadly too accurate!! Also, I love Wanda Jo! 🤣 1
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@joeguy59894 years ago I tried to convince my Mom that the evangelist she watches on TV, and sends money to, was caught driving a Ferrari, but she did not believe me; Her own son. She thought the show I had watched was lying. 566
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@SWHalo28 years ago "My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."
- Jesus 634
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@cindygrayson1288last year I have found a wonderful person to watch! Thank you! You are great! I love your view on things! 1
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@murderduck2246last year I think "praise loopholes and their beloved loopiness" will be my senior quote 3
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@philipmaruri57143 years ago Bible: “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5)
Televangelists: But Private Jets 578
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@starkoticlast year Ironically an ad for a collection of last week tonight recordings was on the screen as this episode ended. Classic! 1
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@Wolf-ic1pdlast year Dear Lord … I have found church …
My seeds are the most valuable things I own … bless you brother John … it is all clear to me now …
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@mitadrubanerjeechowdhury90928 years ago How has this show not got an Emmy yet ? 2413
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@keyboarddancers77518 years ago I wish he'd do a programme on $cientology. 1079
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@JosephFuller3 years ago I was a victim of some of those preachers in Metairie, Louisiana. They instructed me to give money for tithing to gain god's favor. After a few weeks, I was asked to talk with one of the head preachers on a Saturday. They had not received my tithing yet (church members had to write a check, or put 10% of their income into an envelope, write their names then sign on the back of the envelope) I told him that I had been giving my tithing money to charity. He shook his head and then told me that if I wanted to gain god's favor, I would have to give my tithing to the church before donating any of it to charity. My heart sunk. ... 1152
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@Maxisamo19 years ago I called the number, I am not disappointed 2970
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@pepper419last year Love this all the way from Australia. Wish I was there in the audience. 1
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@Nightingale34last year The foot one was gold. Lol. Thanks Last Week Tonight!
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@brianc3761last year We need a cross over episode with the vulgar squirrel, so he can whip out a check and say
"Eat shit, Bob!" 4
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@dontleave83693 years ago years later still the words “I’ve seen midgets grow” still Makes me laugh out loud so hard that I have to take a break afterwards…
5/5 idiocy
10/5 comic value 2653
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@vanirishband3 years ago “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
Matthew 7:15 851
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@captvalstrax7 months ago The best thing that happened involving Robert Tilton is the classic "Farting Preacher"/"Pastor Gas" videos. 1
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@jazzanietrujillo20334 years ago Anyone else think that Copeland guy straight up looks like he could play the devil in a movie??? 610
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@Datboy19913 years ago This was the first segment of John Oliver I ever watched. Years later, still so good 1249
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@tamlaedmundson8099one week ago Direct your good energy and "ID" nature, combined with your will power & pure spirit, which is the essence of who you truly are, to a positive & higher vibrational level of existence. And, you will then know exactly, why you are here & what your authentic, original & true purpose is as a loving human being. ...
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@katim.50912 months ago Once again you prove that learning can be entertaining 1
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@Webshooters19 years ago I hereby renounce my atheism! John Oliver has shown me the light brothers and sisters! Praise loopholes! Praise tax exemptions! Praise tax lawyers! Join "Our Lady Of Perpetual Exemption"! 1416
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@canadadrypopcan9 years ago John Stewart may be gone, but Mr Oliver is a master at unmasking hypocrisy. Well done 893
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@virginiamoss70455 months ago Jerry Falwell for sure. My family member was one of the pilots of that Citation business jet he had. Lots and lots of personal trips all the time. 1
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@jacobadelsheimer96453 years ago Wow. I touched the screen when they told me to and guess what, I don’t have lupus. Whether or not I had lupus before doesn’t matter, but I don’t have lupus. 1086
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@jacquelynsmith62596 months ago I believe what you do in life everyday and how you treat people is what is important to God. Going to all these fake preacher and giving all your money to these people isn't going to save you. 3
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@jimough24417 months ago Saw Reverend Ike in college. Got thrown out when we couldn't stop laughing. Tax law should eliminate all church exemptions. 1
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@sennataylor5924 years ago Kenneth Copeland is actively discrediting Biden's win in the 2020 election. John, I think it's time to do a pt 2. 1429
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@cookieaddictions9 years ago The fine print on the website:
Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption will not be able to accept donations from Church supporters from the states of Mississippi, Nevada, Pennsylvania, or South Carolina. We apologize for any inconvenience. Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption may choose to wind down and dissolve in the near future. Upon dissolution, any assets belonging to the Church at that time will be distributed to Doctors Without Borders, a non-proﬁt charitable organization that is tax-exempt under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN: 13-3433452) and which provides emergency medical aid in places where it is needed most.
This is amazing. ... 662
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@hbaldinr4 years ago I was laughing about all those idiots, but you stops and realize that this is actually really sad that these people are allowed to do that 530
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@kuyamik3y2 years ago "Oh no young people are turning away from our religion"
If it isn't the consequences of my own actions 183
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@MrTwenty20video4 months ago Brilliant! And your writers and crew must be top-notch. 😂
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@coltonosowski30483 years ago I love how in the Bible it actually says the exact opposite. A parable talked about how the mustard seed is so tiny but grows into a giant tree. 470
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@persona2grata2 years ago My grandmother had Alzheimer's and after it was obvious it was getting worse the whole family went for a visit to grandma's. My mom and her sister had the uncomfortable conversation about her not living alone anymore. While we were there they discovered that she had lost thousands on a crap-ton of things like over 100 magazine subscriptions, many of which had as many as half a dozen copies of the same magazine. She had also lost a ton on donations to some preacher who they later discovered had promised to cure my grandmother with prayer, a tactic which worked because my grandmother apparently knew she was getting worse and was desperate to get help. Anyway, they quickly realized that many of these people knew full well that my grandmother had dementia when they took advantage of her. But the really crazy part was when my mom was on the phone with somebody from the preacher. She was canceling the monthly "donations" when she suddenly gasped and started crying. I was too young at the time to know what was happening, just that my mom was crying when my dad went over and talked to her. Then suddenly he was angrier than I'd ever seen him, grabbed the phone, and unleashed a torrent of profanity that was positively shocking. Years later I heard from my mom that when she tried canceling the payments the preacher or their representative had told her that if she did god would punish her with the same disease and that she "wouldn't even recognize her kids." When she told my dad he went absolutely apeshit on that person, to the point where they tried to file a police complaint after my dad threatened to track them down and do some things to them that were...anatomically unlikely. ... 199
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@platanoverde1000310 months ago No matter how bad my day was....this video alway made it better...😂😂
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@JRMagrolast month Im surprised osteen has made it this long without having a dedicated episode by Oliver 😂😅 1
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@paullanoue52284 years ago Third grade should have a class called, “How to recognize a con man.” 480