Known locally as the birthplace of American religious freedom; Flushing; Queens; in New York City is now so diverse and densely populated that it has become a microcosm of world religions. City of Gods explores the history of Flushing from the colonial period to the aftermath of September 11; 2001; spanning the origins of Vlissingen and early struggles between Quakers; Dutch authorities; Anglicans; African Americans; Catholics; and Jews to the consolidation of New York City in1898; two World's Fairs and postwar commemorations of Flushing’s heritage; and; finally; the Immigration Act of 1965 and the arrival of Hindus; Sikhs; Muslims; Buddhists; and Asian and Latino Christians. A synthesis of archival sources; oral history; and ethnography; City of Gods is a thought-provoking study of religious pluralism. Using Flushing as the backdrop to examine America's contemporary religious diversity and what it means for the future of the United States; R. Scott Hanson explores both the possibilities and limits of pluralism. Hanson argues that the absence of widespread religious violence in a neighborhood with such densely concentrated religious diversity suggests that there is no limit to how much pluralism a pluralist society can stand. Seeking to gauge interaction and different responses to religious and ethnic diversity; the book is set against two interrelated questions: how and where have the different religious and ethnic groups in Flushing associated with others across boundaries over time; and when has conflict or cooperation arisen? By exploring pluralism from a historical and ethnographic context; City of Gods takes a micro approach to help bring an understanding of pluralism from a sometimes abstract realm into the real world of everyday lives in which people and groups are dynamic and integrating agents in a complex and constantly changing world of local; national; and transnational dimensions. Perhaps the most extreme example of religious and ethnic pluralism in the world; Flushing is an ideal place to explore how America's long experiment with religious freedom and religious pluralism began and continues. City of Gods reaches far beyond Flushing to all communities coming to terms with immigration; religion; and ethnic relations; raising the question as to whether Flushing will come together in new and lasting ways to build bridges of dialogue or will it further fragment into a Tower of Babel.
#2998053 in Books Lerner Publishing Group 2004-01-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .45 x 8.24 x 10.28l; #File Name: 082254716396 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. not bad. easy to read.By Preppy S.I like to read these kinds of juvenile history books. they are easy to read; have all the basic information; so you can get a general idea in a short time.I like this book overall; however; it has a few problems.1. It didn't have a pre-war map. The maps are scattered in the book. The first map in the book is actually a map after 1953. The book mentioned quite a few places but some of them are not noted on the map.2. Mao Zedong's son's name is mao anyin; not mao anyang.3. It claimed that twenty-one nations in the UN agreed to defend south korea; and "the UN asked president truman to appoint a military leader." It sounded like as if the entire world was supporting this war. To me; it was the other way around. UN at that time was just like a puppet to the USA government. That is why the majority of the soldiers were all from the USA; but not from other countries combined. And in this book; it has never mentioned anything from any other participating UN countries' leaders response to this war ; and how they want to finish this war; etc. All it talks about was the USA government; the US military leaders; etc.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. This is a great series of books.By M. SmithWe homeschool and wanted to study in depth the Korean War; Cold War; and Vietnam War. Chronicles of America's Wars are a great resource. They are easy reads with lots of impact; info; and maps. We used them alongside Joy Hakim's A History of the U.S. series and also used selected biographies. Very well written; nice pictures; and also timeline and vocabulary and list of major players of each war; and list of internet resources are in the back of the books. We'll purchasing the rest of the series.
