Reverend Robert Schuller and the Fall of a Megachurch
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Orange County's Crystal Cathedral declared bankruptcy last year, and buildings designed by architectural masters might have to be sold off. The family of founder Robert Schuller has been feuding over money, the Hour of Power and what's left of the congregation. After his son claimed Schuller himself had been kicked off the board, the church said he's being "honored" as a non-voting member emeritus. We hear what Schuller contributed to Christianity in suburban America and what his church still means to the history of Orange County. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, abortion from State Houses to the Courts to the Presidential Campaign.
Banner image: Reverend Robert Schuller
Main Topic
The Original Megachurch and Its Founder Fall on Hard Times ()
Robert Schuller, who started preaching from the roof of a drive-in theater, went on to broadcast the Hour of Power and make the Crystal Cathedral an Orange County attraction for tourists from all over the world. Last year, the church declared bankruptcy. Last week, Schuller's son, Robert, said his father had been kicked off the board. Over the weekend the church, now led by Schuller's daughter, Sheila Schuller Coleman, said her father is now a non-voting member emeritus, which was called an "honor."
Guests:
- Deepa Bharath: Orange County Register
- Gustavo Arellano: OC Weekly, @GustavoArellano
- David D'Arcy: art, architecture and film critic
- Mitchell Landsberg: Los Angeles Times
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Main Topic
Abortion Rights and New State Restrictions ()
Last week in Kansas, a federal judge intervened to prevent enforcement of new rules that would have shut down two of that state's three abortion clinics. His injunction will stay in effect until a trial is held. In Nebraska, Idaho, Indiana, Oklahoma, Alabama and South Dakota, legislatures have also enacted tough new restrictions for legal abortions in the past year, with hopes of reaching a newly conservative US Supreme Court. Will abortion become an issue in next year's presidential campaign? Will claims about "fetal pain" change public opinion?
Guests:
- Erik Eckholm: New York Times, @eckholm
- Mary Kay Culp: Kansans for Life
- Ann Stone: Republicans for Choice, @aews
- Sue Thomas: Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation
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Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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