For anyone not in possession of The Comedy Channel, on this week’s episode of ‘Last Week Tonight‘ John Oliver ran a segment on “church’s who exploit people’s faith for monetary gain” and explored the ease at which these can be created in America.
To prove how fucking easy it is, Oliver started ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption‘, confirmed their 501(c)(3) status with the IRS and styled himself as supreme head of the church.
www.ourladyofperpetualexemption.com
“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. 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-pro?t 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.”
Watch the video below and should you be feeling inspired to begin something of your own and have legions of believers falling at your recently washed feet, head to wikiHow To Start A Church or register with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) HERE.
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. 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-pro?t 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.
Posted by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Monday, 17 August 2015
