Crystal Cathedral megachurch files for bankruptcy
 

Crystal Cathedral, the megachurch birthplace of the televangelist show "Hour of Power," filed for bankruptcy Monday in Southern California after struggling to emerge from debt that exceeds $43 million.

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:( I grew up watching "Hour of Power" and always dreamed of visiting the Crystal Cathedral.

Robert Schuller isn't the main pastor anymore - he passed it to his kids. That's why they are in trouble. Classic case.

These places seem to typically be built around one really charismatic leader. Soon as he leaves, the place tanks.

Yep.

Which begs the question: will the Billy Graham "empire" remain intact? I've heard both Franklin & Ruth (the daughter) Graham speak, and wondered if I was interested because of their father, or because of their message.

BTW, if you're prolife, you should try to hear or read about Ruth Graham's testimony.

I don't know how charismatic those two are. I know a lot of megachurches have set up something of a speakers circuit lately as some of our locals often play host to travelling personalities. I think the Graham kids will probably qualify based on celebrity alone. Neither will be as big a deal as their dad because Protestantism in general is a waning influence in this country. Keep in mind that in Billy Graham's time, not being protestant was almost unamerican.

Do you think protestantism is dead in America? (And most Baptists would tell you that they are not protestants) Or, do you think organized religion is dead? I tend to think that it's the latter. Even Roman Catholics tend to be "cafeteria Catholics" here.

No, Protestantism is not dead and neither is organized religion based on numbers but church attendance and communal involvement are generally weak for Protestants (across race and across social class). That goes with the changing structure of religion in society because people generally have other institutions to fill the place that religion onced filled. Some people are also disenchanted with religion but faith and spirituality remain prevalent. That's also what keeps some people involved in organized religion because they want to worship with other faithful and spirit filled people.

That is because in most recent decades self-identifying as Protestant only matters when it is matched with some level of group identity or group conflict. For instance, identifying as White Anglo-Saxon Protestant became more prevalent when there is a noticed rise in Catholics (for instance, Spanish-speaking Catholics and European immigrant).

Many people are quick to say Christianity or claim a denomination but do not know their ass from their ears when Protestantism is brought up until you explain what Protestantism entails.

However, studies still find a large impact of Conservative and Evangelical Protestantism (religious affiliation, in general) on perceptions of things like family structure and labor force participation

Not really sure if there is an "empire". Most of the Graham money was made via books and appearance fees. His Crusades were free to the public and they took up an offering to offset the costs. They are not poor by any stretch but I don't believe they are the mega rich either.

If by "empire" you mean the Crusades and huge stadium appearances by others in the family, I don't believe so. Franklin Graham just is not that charismatic. The one off stadium appearance, maybe, but not the mega Crusades of the past.

I actually went to a couple of Crusades events at Groves Stadium at Wake Forest University in the '70's. My Mom took me. I thought they were very boring but then I was a teen and if it wasn't R&R it wasn't for me.

Samaritan's Purse is a really great idea and works real well so Franklin has his niche.