The Media in Society: Religious Radio Stations, Socio-Religious Discourse and National Cohesion in Tanzania

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

The Media in Society: Religious Radio Stations, Socio-Religious Discourse and National Cohesion in Tanzania The Media in Society: Religious Radio Stations, Socio-Religious Discourse and National Cohesion in Tanzania By Francis Xavier Ng’atigwa Dissertation submitted to Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) and the Department of Media Studies, Bayreuth University in the Partial fulfillment of the requirements for Doctor of Philosophy in Media Studies Supervisor Prof. Dr. Jürgen E. Müller Bayreuth, 11 November 2013 Dedication In memory of Bernard and Juliana, the finest! i Acknowledgements This doctoral thesis is a result of combined efforts of individuals and institutions. I wish to thank all who kindly helped me to realize it. Foremost I acknowledge the immeasurable guidance, advice and constant academic support from the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies (BIGSAS) mentoring team: Drs. Franz Kogelmann, Asonzeh Ukah and Bernadin Mfumbusa which made the realization of this study possible. In a very special way I extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Franz Kogelmann who introduced St. Augustine University of Tanzania to Bayreuth University. Through his efforts I was able to join BIGSAS. Equally my sincere appreciation goes to Bishop Dr. Bernardin Mfumbusa who encouraged me to study media and has been invaluable on both academic and personal levels, for which I am very grateful. I would like to seize the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and recognition to Prof. Dr. Jürgen E. Müller for accepting to be the final supervisor of this study. My deep appreciation goes to him and his kind way of handling my issue. The scholarship that has allowed me to study at BIGSAS was secured through the “Staff Development Funds” of St. Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT). Special thanks to Dr. Charles Kitima (the former Vice-Chancellor) and Dr. Pius Mgeni (the current Vice- Chancellor) for their visions and dedications. To the whole administration of St. Augustine University Tanzania, I owe a lot of thanks for supporting me in different ways towards the success of this study. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the BIGSAS. This thesis would not have been possible without their academic, administrative and financial support. Through the BIGSAS’s support I could be able to conduct my field work in Africa, attain the needed skills through work groups, seminars, workshops and conferences. Similarly I extend my heartfelt ii appreciation to the Bayreuth University Graduate School for their timely and necessary financial support which enabled me to accomplish this thesis. I am most grateful to the people who assisted me at the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), Radio Maria Tanzania and Radio Imaan; the respondents and the interviewees. Without their readiness to provide me with the necessary information and data this thesis would not have been possible. I offer a special thanks to Prof. Sr. Renita Tadych, O.S.F, Keith and Bridget Tattersall, who proofread this thesis. Their readiness, patience and helpful suggestions enabled the improvement of the thesis. Last, but by no means least, I thank my family and my friends in Morogoro, Mwanza, Bayreuth, Rüdesheim am Rhein and Lampertheim for their support and encouragement throughout my studies. iii List of abbreviations A.D Anno Domini AMNUT All Muslim National Union of Tanganyika BAKWATA Baraza Kuu la Waislamu Tanzania BBC British Broadcasting Corporation BIGSAS Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies CCM Chama cha Mapinduzi CCT Christian Council of Tanzania CE Common Era CHADEMA Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo CIOT Council of Islamic Organisations in Tanzania CD Compact Disc CORDAC Radio Corporation Radiodiffusion de l’Afrique Centrale COSTECH Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology CPT Catholic Professionals of Tanzania DRC Democratic Republic of Congo DVD Digital Versatile/Video Disc EAMWS East African Muslim Welfare Association ELWA Eternal Love Wining Africa FADECO Family Alliance for Development and Cooperation FGM Female Genital Mutilation FM Frequency Modulated HIMS Health Integrated Multicultural Service IFBT Islamic Foundation based in Tanzania IOPA Institute of Orkonerei Pastoralist Advancement IPP Industry Production Promotion JF Jamii Forums MCT Media Council of Tanzania MoU Memorandum of Understanding NECTA National Examinations Council of Tanzania NGO Non-Government Organisation OIC Organisation for Islamic Conference PCT Pentecostal Churches of Tanzania RI Radio Imaan RMT Radio Maria Tanzania RTLM Radio-Télévision Libre des Mille Collines RVOG Radio Voice of the Gospel SAUT Saint Augustine University of Tanzania SDA Seventh Day Adventists SECAM Secretariat of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar SORAFOM Société de Radiodiffusion de la France d’ Outre-Mer SPSS Statistical Package for Social Sciences TAMSYA Tanzania Muslim Students and Youth Association TAMWA Tanzania Media Women Association TBC Tanganyika/Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation TCC Tanzania Communications Commission TEC Tanzania Episcopal Conference TCF Tanzania Christian Forum TCRA Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority UKW Ultrakurzwelle(German: FM radio ) UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation URT United Republic of Tanzania WACC World Association for Christian Communications iv Table of Contents Dedication ................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... ii List of abbreviations .................................................................................................................. iv Table of Contents ....................................................................................................................... v List of Tables .............................................................................................................................. x List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... xi Summary .................................................................................................................................. xii Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Goals of this study .................................................................................................................. 2 Selecting field sites ................................................................................................................. 3 Field trips ................................................................................................................................ 6 Study population .................................................................................................................... 6 Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 7 Data generation strategies ....................................................................................................... 8 Questionnaires ..................................................................................................................... 8 Key informant interviews ................................................................................................... 8 Focus group discussion ....................................................................................................... 9 Qualitative content analysis ................................................................................................ 9 Discourse analysis ............................................................................................................... 9 Listening to Radio ............................................................................................................. 10 Informal discussions ......................................................................................................... 10 Weblogs and Newspapers ................................................................................................. 10 Academic settings ............................................................................................................. 11 Data management ................................................................................................................. 11 Data analysis ......................................................................................................................... 12 Rationale for the study .......................................................................................................... 12 v Strengths and limitations ...................................................................................................... 13 Organization of the research ................................................................................................. 15 Chapter One .............................................................................................................................. 16 Socio-Historical Context .......................................................................................................... 16 1.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 16 1.2. Islam and Christianity in Tanzania
Recommended publications
  • Towards an African Inculturation Biblical Pneumatology: a Response to the Rise of Neo- Pentecostalism in Tanzanian Christianity Faith Lugazia Luther Seminary
    Luther Seminary Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary Doctor of Philosophy Theses Student Theses 2010 Towards an African Inculturation Biblical Pneumatology: A Response to the Rise of Neo- Pentecostalism in Tanzanian Christianity Faith Lugazia Luther Seminary Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.luthersem.edu/phd_theses Part of the Christianity Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the New Religious Movements Commons Recommended Citation Lugazia, Faith, "Towards an African Inculturation Biblical Pneumatology: A Response to the Rise of Neo-Pentecostalism in Tanzanian Christianity" (2010). Doctor of Philosophy Theses. Paper 15. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses at Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Philosophy Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Luther Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. TOWARDS AN AFRICAN INCULTURATION BIBLICAL PNEUMATOLOGY: A RESPONSE TO THE RISE OF NEO-PENTECOSTALISM IN TANZANIAN CHRISTIANITY by FAITH LUGAZIA A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Luther Seminary In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 2010 LUTHER SEMINARY LIBRARY 2375 Como Avenue 8 t P*ul, MN 65108-144? © 2010 by Faith Lugazia All rights reserved LUTHER SEMINARY ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA PH.D. THESIS Title of Thesis: Towards An African Inculturation of Biblical Pneumatology: A Response to the Rise of Neo-Pentecostalism in Tanzanian Christianity. Author: Faith Kokubelwa Lugazia Thesis committee: L . jA JL a- ABSTRACT Towards an African Inculturation Biblical Pneumatology: A Response to the Rise ofNeo- Pentecostalism in Tanzanian Christianity By Faith Lugazia In this dissertation, 1 seek to lay the groundwork for developing an African inculturation of biblical pneumatology relevant to the Tanzanian context.
    [Show full text]
  • Crafting Lutheran Pastors in Tanzania Perceptions of Theological Education and Formation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania
    STUDIA MISSIONALIA SVECANA CXIX Johannes Habib Zeiler Crafting Lutheran Pastors in Tanzania Perceptions of Theological Education and Formation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania To Lukas and Julia Dissertation presented at Uppsala University to be publicly examined in Sal IV, Universitetshuset, Biskopsgatan 3, Uppsala, Friday, 7 December 2018 at 10:15 for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Faculty of Theology). The examination will be conducted in English. Faculty examiner: Professor Knut Holter (VID Specialized University, Norway; Faculty of Theology, Diaconia and Leadership Studies). Abstract Habib Zeiler, J. 2018. Crafting Lutheran Pastors in Tanzania. Perceptions of Theological Education and Formation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. Studia Missionalia Svecana 119. 222 pp. Uppsala: Department of Theology, Uppsala University. ISBN 978-91-506-2725-1. The quest for theological education is embedded in the history of the churches in sub-Saharan Africa and is, at the same time, inherently linked to how the churches continue to evolve and shift in character over time. It relates to the self-understanding of the churches and their role in society, including their academic and pastoral obligations to adequately educate and train leaders to work in the localities. With its estimated 6.5 million members, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) is today one of the largest Lutheran churches in the world. The role and impact of institutions for theological education are high on the agenda in the ELCT, not least as the various educational institutions for ministerial training are often seen as important means in the processes of theologising and strategising for the future.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cross and the Crescent in East Africa
    The Cross and the Crescent in East Africa An Examination of the Reasons behind the Change in Christian- Muslim Relations in Tanzania 1984-1994 Tomas Sundnes Drønen TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................... 0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 3 INTRODUCTION OF THE TOPIC. ............................................................................................................................ 3 PERSONAL INTEREST ........................................................................................................................................... 4 OBJECT AND SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................. 5 APPROACH AND SOURCES ................................................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER ONE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 10 1.1 PRE-COLONIAL TIMES ................................................................................................................................. 10 1.1.1 Early Muslim Settlements ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • New Fuller Ebook Acquisitions - Courtesy of Ms
    New Fuller eBook Acquisitions - Courtesy of Ms. Peggy Helmerick Publication Title eISBN Handbook of Cities and the Environment 9781784712266 Handbook of US–China Relations 9781784715731 Handbook on Gender and War 9781849808927 Handbook of Research Methods and Applications in Political Science 9781784710828 Anti-Corruption Strategies in Fragile States 9781784719715 Models of Secondary Education and Social Inequality 9781785367267 Politics of Persuasion, The 9781782546702 Individualism and Inequality 9781784716516 Handbook on Migration and Social Policy 9781783476299 Global Regionalisms and Higher Education 9781784712358 Handbook of Migration and Health 9781784714789 Handbook of Public Policy Agenda Setting 9781784715922 Trust, Social Capital and the Scandinavian Welfare State 9781785365584 Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers, Forest Conservation and Climate Change 9781784716608 Handbook of Transnational Environmental Crime 9781783476237 Cities as Political Objects 9781784719906 Leadership Imagination, The 9781785361395 Handbook of Innovation Policy Impact 9781784711856 Rise of the Hybrid Domain, The 9781785360435 Public Utilities, Second Edition 9781785365539 Challenges of Collaboration in Environmental Governance, The 9781785360411 Ethics, Environmental Justice and Climate Change 9781785367601 Politics and Policy of Wellbeing, The 9781783479337 Handbook on Theories of Governance 9781782548508 Neoliberal Capitalism and Precarious Work 9781781954959 Political Entrepreneurship 9781785363504 Handbook on Gender and Health 9781784710866 Linking
    [Show full text]
  • Televangelism and the Changing Habits of Worshippers in Nairobi
    TELEVANGELISM AND THE CHANGING HABITS OF WORSHIPPERS IN NAIROBI COUNTY ESTHER NYABOKE MOKAYA A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED IN PART FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES IN THE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI 2015 DECLARATION This research project is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other university for any other award Signature………………………………… Date………………………… Esther Nyaboke Mokaya B.Ed (Arts) REG NO: K50/70018/2013 This research project has been submitted to the School of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Nairobi for examination with my approval as a University Supervisor Supervisor`s Signature…………………… Date……………………..… Dr. Ndeti Ndati School of Journalism and Media Studies University of Nairobi i DEDICATION I dedicate this project to my husband Forah and daughter Taraji for their support and encouragement during the writing of this project. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to thank my supervisor Dr Ndeti Ndati and my colleagues for their invaluable support and comments which went a long way in putting together this research project. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION....................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION.......................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Download a Pdf File of This Issue for Free Download
    CHRISTIAN HISTORY Issue 102 People of Faith How America’s many churches shaped “one nation under God.” IFC_POFad_CHM102_CHM102 4/27/12 10:28 AM Page 1 Survey the history of Christianity in America from before the Pilgrims to the present in this stunning DVD series. You’ll gain valuable perspective on the people and ideas that shaped America and see how it came to be the first nation in history based upon the ideal of religious liberty. In this six-episode series you’ll meet the spiritual visionaries, leaders, and entrepreneurs who shaped Christianity across the centuries and dramatically influenced the culture we live in today, including Jonathan Edwards, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Billy Graham among many others. Learn about the key events, movements, and controversies that continue to shape us today such as the Great Awakening, the abolitionist movement, 19th-century Catholic immigration, the Prohibition era, modernism and $ 99 fundamentalism, and the social gospel, civil rights, and pro-life 29. #501437D movements, and more. Well researched, balanced, fast paced, and insightful, People of Faith features expert commentary from an array of scholars such as Martin Marty, Mark Noll, Thomas Kidd, Kathryn Long, and many others. Produced and created by the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals at Wheaton College, this amazing resource will help you discover the importance of Christian history as we consider the future of the church in America. The two-DVD set includes • six half-hour segments, • study and discussion questions, • script transcripts, • additional interviews with scholars, and • optional English subtitles.
    [Show full text]
  • The Pneumatic Experiences of the Indian Neocharismatics
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of Birmingham Research Archive, E-theses Repository THE PNEUMATIC EXPERIENCES OF THE INDIAN NEOCHARISMATICS By JOY T. SAMUEL A Thesis Submitted to The University of Birmingham for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law The University of Birmingham June 2018 i University of Birmingham Research e-thesis repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and /or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any success or legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. i The Abstract of the Thesis This thesis elucidates the Spirit practices of Neocharismatic movements in India. Ever since the appearance of Charismatic movements, the Spirit theology has developed as a distinct kind of popular theology. The Neocharismatic movement in India developed within the last twenty years recapitulates Pentecostal nature spirituality with contextual applications. Pentecostalism has broadened itself accommodating all churches as widely diverse as healing emphasized, prosperity oriented free independent churches. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the Neocharismatic churches in Kerala, India; its relationship to Indian Pentecostalism and compares the Sprit practices. It is argued that the pneumatology practiced by the Neocharismatics in Kerala, is closely connected to the spirituality experienced by the Indian Pentecostals.
    [Show full text]
  • Commodification of Religion Through Televangelism a Rhetorical Analysis
    COMMODIFICATION OF RELIGION THROUGH TELEVANGELISM: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF SELECTED CHARISMATIC PROGRAMMES IN KENYA PATRICK MUTURI KARANJA A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate School in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication of Egerton University EGERTON UNIVERSITY OCTOBER 2019 DECLARATION AND RECOMMENDATION Declaration This Thesis is my original work and has not been submitted in its current form to this or any other University for the award of a degree to the best of my knowledge. Signature: ---------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Patrick Muturi Karanja AM19/33627/14 Recommendation We wish to confirm that this thesis was prepared under our supervision and is recommendation for presentation and examination at Egerton University. Signature---------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Dr Josphine Khaemba Department of Literature, Languages and Linguistics Egerton University. Signature--------------------------------- Date: ---------------------------------- Mr. Sammy Gachigua Department of Literature, Languages and Linguistics Egerton University. ii COPYRIGHT © 2019 Patrick Muturi Karanja All rights are reserved. No part of this thesis may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form or means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise without prior permission of the author or Egerton University on behalf of the author. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this study to my family: my wife and children, for their prayers and continuous encouragement. Their presence around me was a source of much inspiration which guaranteed stability of mind and soul, for the accomplishment of this arduous task. For their love and understanding, I will forever be grateful. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENT First and foremost I wish to thank the Almighty God for giving me the grace and ability to accomplish this study.
    [Show full text]
  • Strengthening Community Resilience in Tanzania APRIL 6, 2017
    BASELINE EVALUATION OF: Katika Usalama Tunategemeana and Pamoja! Strengthening Community Resilience in Tanzania APRIL 6, 2017 Team Leader: Lead Researcher: Anthony Sarota 1 Table of Contents Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 6 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Overview of the projects .................................................................................................................. 9 1.2 Objectives of the baseline evaluation report .................................................................................. 10 1.3 Scope of the Baseline Report ......................................................................................................... 10 1.4 Methodology and Limitations ........................................................................................................ 11 1.4.1 Survey Methodology ............................................................................................................... 11 1.4.2 Data protection and Quality
    [Show full text]
  • Popular Christianity, Theology, and Mission Among Tanzanian Lutheran Ministers
    Shepherds, Servants, and Strangers: Popular Christianity, Theology, and Mission among Tanzanian Lutheran Ministers by Elaine Christian Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 2017 © 2017 Elaine Christian All rights reserved Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ABSTRACT Shepherds, Servants, and Strangers: Popular Christianity, Theology, and Mission among Tanzanian Lutheran Ministers Elaine Christian This dissertation is an ethnographic description of how pastors (and other ministers) in the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania understand and carry out their ministry: How they reflect, mediate, and influence local Christian practice and identities; how theology and theologizing forms an integral part of their social worlds; and how navigating and maintaining relationships with Christian mission partnerships (including “short-term mission”) becomes an important part of their ministry. Drawing from fieldwork conducted between June 2014 and September 2015, I present an account of Christianity that adds to anthropological scholarship by emphasizing the role of theology as a grounded social practice, and considers the increasingly divergent character of Christian mission and its role in modern Tanzanian Christianity.
    [Show full text]
  • FROM ANGLICANISM to AFRICAN SOCIALISM: the ANGLICAN CHURCH and UJAMAA in TANZANIA 1955-2005 by WILLIAM FABIAN MNDOLWA SN 2025109
    FROM ANGLICANISM TO AFRICAN SOCIALISM: THE ANGLICAN CHURCH AND UJAMAA IN TANZANIA 1955-2005 By WILLIAM FABIAN MNDOLWA SN 202510976 S ubmitted in Fulfilment of the Academic Requirements for the D e g r e e o f DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Subject of THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY a t t h e SCHOOL OF RELIGION, PHILOSOPHY AND CLASSICS IN THE COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU - N A T A L (Pietermaritzburg Campus) SUPERVISOR PROF. PHILIPPE DENIS PIETERMARITZBURG November 2012 DECLARATION As required by University regulations, I hereby state unambiguously that this work has not been presented at any other University or any other institution of higher learning other than the University of KwaZulu-Natal, (Pietermaritzburg Campus) and that unless specifically indicated to the contrary within the text it is my original work. ------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM FABIAN MNDOLWA SN 202510976 29 November 2012 As candidate supervisor I hereby approve this thesis for submission ------------------------------------------------------- PROFESSOR PHILIPPE DENIS 29 November 2012 i CERTIFICATION We the undersigned declare that we have abided by the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics in the College of Humanities, University of KwaZulu- Natal‘s policy on language editing. We also declare that earlier forms of the dissertation have been retained should they be required. ------------------------------------------------------- GARY STUART DAVID LEONARD 29 November 2012 ------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM FABIAN MNDOLWA SN 202510976 29 November 2012 ii DEDICATION This study is first dedicated to my dear wife Chenga-Frida, and my children Msagati- Katindi, Kauye-Prisna and Tahona who endured my absence during the research period of this study. Without their sacrifice, love and support I would not have been able to achieve this great task.
    [Show full text]
  • The Crystal Cathedral Was a Monument to Televangelism. It's About to Become a Catholic Church
    The Washington Post Religion Analysis The Crystal Cathedral was a monument to televangelism. It’s about to become a Catholic church. By Mary Louise Schumacher July 17 What happens when an icon of feel-good theology and California kitsch gets born again as a Catholic church? For years, Christians, Southern Californians and design devotees alike have anticipated the resurrection of the Crystal Cathedral, the Orange County church designed by modernist architect Philip Johnson. It was the home of televangelist Robert Schuller and his “Hour of Power” TV program, watched in its heyday by tens of millions, in 156 countries. Touted as the largest glass building in the world when it opened in 1980, the megachurch was purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2012, thanks to a messy bankruptcy. The diocese renamed it Christ Cathedral and, in fact, acquired the whole architecturally significant campus, including buildings by Richard Neutra and Richard Meier. It’s not every day that the Roman Catholic Church occupies a New Age monument, and the unorthodox pairing provokes certain questions. Could the glitzy building, countercultural in its way, be a fitting home for a faith rooted in tradition? Is Schuller’s house of “Possibility Thinking” an apt home for the Sorrowful Mysteries? (The former is the name the late televangelist gave for his affirming worldview, and the latter is a group of Catholic meditations on suffering.) “It does feel like a weird marriage,” says Alexandra Lange, an architecture critic for Curbed. There’s something “New Age-y” and “kitschy and cheery” about the cathedral that seems at odds with the “formality and sternness” associated with many Catholic buildings, says Dallas Morning News architecture critic Mark Lamster, who wrote a biography of Johnson.
    [Show full text]