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Since the 1960s, a new wave of immigrants, largely from Latin America and Asia, have brought new faith traditions and practices. Before the 1960s, most Eastern faiths hardly existed in the U.S. whereas today Muslim mosques and Hindu temples are commonplace in suburbs and cities across the country. Today, those communities and others are now a commonplace part of American life.
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No where can the intense diversification of American faith be better seen and understood than in Flushing, Queens in New York City.
According to R. Scott Hanson, author of the book, “City of Gods: Religious Freedom, Immigration, and Pluralism in Flushing, Queens—New York City, 1945-2001,” there are over 200 places of worship in the borough. Religion is literally on display on the streets of this chaotic urban community. Economically devasted in the 1970s, Flushing was reborn by Asian businesses and residents leaving the
overflowing Chinatown of Manhattan; new immigrants found friendly faces and cheap housing on the outskirts of the city. Unqiue zoning laws allowed for the proliferation of houses of worship and as immigration grew and became more diverse, a perfect set of circumstances gave way to the most religiously diverse spot on the planet.
I’ve spent time documenting a selection of religious communities from the oldest, Quakers, to the newest at the China Buddhist Association whose temples serves mostly new Chinese immigrants to the active and flourishing Hindu Temple Society of North America (the first Hindu Temple in the U.S.). As new groups settle into the fabric of the community, established churches have evolved to incorporate new languages and traditions such as St. George’s Episcopal church and Bowne Street Community Church which both incorporate Taiwanese and Latin American traditions along with their more commonplace English language and American traditions. While the Eastern faiths and faces are flourishing, some of the older established communities struggle to maintain their place in the evolving landscape. Most of the Jewish synagogues’ memberships are in rapid decline as Jews move farther out in the suburbs. Temple Gates of Prayer is the most active and vibrant synagogues in this part of Flushing due in large part to the leadership of charismatic Rabbi Albert Thaler.
I have documented rituals and everyday moments that bind followers of various faith traditions. A deep connection to a faith’s spiritual roots as well as the strong bonds of fellowship are the core of these communities regardless of faith doctrines. I have tried to steer clear of what I feel is previously known or understood as well as trying to dispell some stereotypes, all the while tapping into the intense beliefs and joyous celebration of believers. A man praying silently during the Lunar New Year blends in perfectly well on the streets of the city, his red fleece vest providing no hint of his Buddhist faith. Faith is so much more than doctrine, didaticism and costume, although seeing Rabbi Thaler dressed as a nun in his annual outlandish Purim actions
was a fantastic moment of levity and life. A reminder that religion does not need to be an uptight,
solemn practice.
The relative peace and calm of such a diverse and densely populated community as Flushing is a testament to a multicultural society. It is noteworthy to see what’s possible when the profound but paralyzing battles between faiths are supplanted by the equal space for mundane everyday practices of life, work and prayer.