Crystal Cathedral Televangelist Robert Schuller Dead At 88
He was one of the most successful early televangelists who eventually saw his empire evaporate.
Once a charismatic and well-known presence on the televangelist circuit, Schuller faded from view in recent years after watching his church collapse amid a disastrous leadership transition and sharp declines in viewership and donations that ultimately forced the ministry to file for bankruptcy.
The soaring, glass-paned Crystal Cathedral — the touchstone of Schuller’s storied ministry — was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2011, and Schuller lost a legal battle the following year to collect more than $5 million from his former ministry for claims of copyright infringement and breach of contract…
In 1980, he built the towering glass-and-steel Crystal Cathedral to house his booming TV ministry, which was broadcast live each week from the cathedral’s airy and sunlit 2,800-seat sanctuary. At its peak, in the 1990s, the program had 20 million viewers in about 180 countries.
Schuller’s message — that “Possibility Thinking” and love of God overcome hardships — was a uniquely American blend of Bible and psychology. It was inspired by late author Norman Vincent Peale, who wrote “The Power of Positive Thinking.” Schuller also wrote more than 30 books, including several best-sellers.
Schuller was shunned by right-wing evangelicals who didn’t agree with his philosophy of tolerance and that we’re not all born as sinners.
Click here for reuse options!Schuller had admirers that ranged from fellow evangelist Billy Graham to Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. He also was among the first foreign religious figures invited to preach on Russian television.
Fundamentalists attacked him as a heretic and humanist for statements they believed denied the need for personal repentance of sin and for his tolerance of Jewish, Roman Catholic and other theologies.
His friendship with President Bill Clinton raised some eyebrows among the conservative Republicans of his Orange County congregation and prompted a deluge of irate letters and telephone calls.
In response, Schuller gave a sermon on tolerance.
“I do let people know how great their sins and miseries are,” he said in a 1992 radio interview. “I don’t do that by standing in a pulpit and telling them they’re sinners. …The way I do it is ask questions. Are you happy? Do you have problems, what are they? So then I come across as somebody who cares about them.”
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
20 responses to Crystal Cathedral Televangelist Robert Schuller Dead At 88
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
ExPFCWintergreen April 2nd, 2015 at 12:07
Quel dommage
anothertoothpick April 2nd, 2015 at 12:10
How many old ladies did this con job piece of $hit swindle?
These guys are very good at what they do. Laying guilt trips on old ladies that have such little money they are eating dog food. And making donations in the name of the lord to him.
Did he ever repent? I doubt it. He was too busy counting his money.
William April 2nd, 2015 at 12:12
and Schuller lost a legal battle the following year to collect more than $5 million from his former ministry for claims of copyright infringement
Larry Schmitt April 2nd, 2015 at 12:43
I wasn’t aware religion could be copyrighted.
William April 2nd, 2015 at 13:10
That is a fairly disgusting notion when you think about it.
Larry Schmitt April 2nd, 2015 at 14:14
To a lot of people, religion itself is a fairly disgusting notion.
William April 3rd, 2015 at 09:00
t to mix religion up with the Bible
Jake April 3rd, 2015 at 09:57
TAX the CHURCHES!
FatRat April 3rd, 2015 at 16:21
You’d be mistaken. lol (smile)
http://www.scientologyhandbook.org/csi.htm
©2013 Church of Scientology International
All Rights Reserved
Grateful acknowledgment is made to L. Ron Hubbard Library for permission to reproduce selections from the copyrighted works of L. Ron Hubbard.
All materials available on this site are protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaty provisions. This material has been placed on this Internet site under the authority of the copyright owner for the sole purpose of viewing of the materials by users of this site. Users are not authorized to download or transmit any of these materials electronically, or to otherwise reproduce any of the materials in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including data storage and retrieval systems, recording, printing or photocopying.
To request copies or permission to reproduce materials that are displayed on this site, contact:
Church of Scientology International
6331 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 1200
Los Angeles, CA 90028
copyrights@scientology.org
StoneyCurtisll April 2nd, 2015 at 13:14
Why do I not feel sorry for his passing??
Good riddance ya charlatan and thief.
Ronald L April 2nd, 2015 at 20:21
what are you suggesting he stole?
majii April 2nd, 2015 at 22:13
The true teachings of Jesus and bastardized them for personal and financial profit.
Jake April 3rd, 2015 at 09:56
Money from those he duped with his mediaeval fairy tale.
fancypants April 2nd, 2015 at 13:24
im sure he had a comfortable retirement
Ronald L April 2nd, 2015 at 20:25
I never understood the appeal of Robert Schuller.
He seemed like a pleasant guy with a positive message but why the mass following?
bpollen April 2nd, 2015 at 21:12
I always found him creepy as hell.
majii April 2nd, 2015 at 22:11
I’m glad you said it, bpollen, because I always thought the same thing about Schuller. I thought I was the only one who found him to be one “creepy as hell” dude, but thanks to you, I’ve discovered I’m not the only one.
bpollen April 3rd, 2015 at 00:57
After a too-liquid Saturday, I would wake up Sunday morning, turn up the stereo, turn down the TV, and watch Schuller. Without the influence of his smooth and very pleasant voice, there was a real “Stepford” quality there…
Jake April 2nd, 2015 at 23:38
Good riddance you miserable old arsehole – blood-sucking huckstering snake-oil salesman.
TAX the CHURCHES
laura April 3rd, 2015 at 02:09
one of the best con men that ever lived…i guess people r heart up to believe in something