Bushwick Collection #1

Chris Cheung

American Religious Texts

Professor Steidl

April 27, 2016

Bushwick Collection

The artifact that I came across recently was found while visiting the Bushwick area of Brooklyn located on the northern border between Brooklyn and Queens. I came across this large mural, which stuck out from the rest of the murals I came across while strolling the notorious Bushwick Collective art collection that the area is famous for. By walking down the streets of the Bushwick area, you will notice there is no shortage of murals to admire. This particular mural was situated on the side of what appeared to be a two-story high residential building. It might be difficult to judge from the picture I took with my cell phone, but the intricacy and detail of the mural was astounding. Even a mural that was standing at more than twenty feet high had just as much detail as the murals at arms height. Probably requiring many hours to complete, I was more than impressed by the level of craftsmanship needed to create this mural.

From my perspective, the mural appeared to be depicting the Virgin Mary, but instead of holding the baby Jesus, she is clutching a white cutout of a baby. It is an interesting piece of artwork that allows the viewer to reflect on what the artist is trying to say by just having the outline of a baby instead. My own interpretation of what the mural is trying to communicate is that the baby cutout represents all of us as unique individuals. As a viewer, I think we are supposed to view ourselves as individuals in place of the outline. By putting ourselves in that role, I am interpreting that the Mary is watching over us and caring for us as a mother would for her child. She is watching over and protecting all of us, as the role of the mother is seen. Although that is my interpretation of what this mural represents, I could be well off from what the artist is trying to communicate as well.

One of the reasons I chose this particular mural was because it reminded me of the Lady of Guadalupe, or the Nican Mopohua, reading at the beginning the of the semester. When we discussed the significance of the text during class, an important point was how the culture depicted the Lady of Guadalupe giving her physical features and clothing of their own people. With the Bushwick area being predominantly of Latino descent, it is interesting to note that the Virgin Mary is depicted as the white Anglican view that most people in the U.S. associate with as well. It is interesting that the Virgin Mary did not translate over to other cultures as it happened with the Nican Mopohua. It is interesting that despite the diversity of cultures, religions, and nationalities, the Virgin Mary has a standardized look and role in the Christian community. Although the story of the Nican Mopohua is still celebrated in the origins of the city in Mexico, many people from Mexico would be more familiar with the Anglican view of Mary. Thus, it makes sense that despite the large concentration of the Latino community in the Bushwick area, the Latino community is associated with the European view of Mary.

This mural also connected well to the three aspects of our class, which are American, religious, and text. From the notion of this artifact as being “American,” there are a few distinct characteristics that I would point out. The biggest detail of the mural is the use of red, white, and blue, which are the colors of the United States’ flag. Whether it was intentional or not, the colors subliminally are familiar to people in the United States because of the common patriotism of our national flag’s colors. The use of these specific colors has an effect on the audience even if it is subliminal. Another point of “Americanism” that I also pointed out earlier was the message that we are special and unique from everyone else. If my interpretation is correct, then the message is that Mary is specifically watching over us and this goes right along the “American” idealism as well.

When looking at the mural from a “religious” aspect, it is most likely the first thing that comes to mind. The religious aspect of this mural was the reason I stopped to and thought it would relate to our class discussions. When one looks at this mural, their first impression most likely comes from a religious side more than anything else, which says something about the intended audience. It can also be said that the intended audience is of a Christian descent, given its specific biblical reference.

Finally, by looking at this mural as a “text,” a few of the first details I notice are the physical size of the mural in that it is very large, and also the use of the dark background to draw the audiences’ eye. By using the dark black background against colorful and bright colors, the mural allows the audience to be drawn in to the center of the painting and away from the building’s edges. This use of color and size help the audience to forget that you are looking at the side of a residential building.

This mural was just one of many unique and interesting murals of the Bushwick area that I would highly recommend visiting. Many of these murals cannot only be related to our class discussions on American Religious Texts, but also are great for general enjoyment and curiosity as well.

Riverside Church, by Emma Chaplin

     As you walk around the Morningside Heights neighborhood in Upper West Manhattan, or drive up and down the Henry Hudson Parkway, you can see the tall bell tower of Riverside Church towering over its surrounding area. The height and neo-gothic architecture really make it stand out. Evaluating this building as a text, its appearance seems to portray an opening and welcoming atmosphere. It’s as if the tall bell tower serves as a religious landmark to guide various people in the surrounding area to the beautiful church.

     Such a welcoming environment is one of the virtues that Riverside Church is known for. The church is interdenominational and open to diversity. Throughout its website and other advertising methods, it claims that the church is open to anyone who has faith in Christ.

     Riverside Church was founded in 1931 by liberal activists who believed that Christian doors should remain open to everyone, even to those with opposing views. Henry Emerson Fosdick was a liberal minister who helped found Riverside Church and served as a minister there for 15 years. Fosdick was a big advocate for resisting the Fundamentalists attempt to take over the Christian church. He argued that Fundamentalists were conservative, illiberal, intolerant, and not open to different points of view. Fundamentalists are traditional and distrusting of any change or modernization. They see the Bible as a literal authority to follow. To Fundamentalists, anybody who fails to see things the Fundamentalist way must be kicked out of the church, as they are corrupting the religious community. In contrast, liberals like Fosdick believed that the Bible must be interpreted within modern context. Liberals argue that Christian thought and beliefs must adapt as new knowledge is acquired. This allows for the religion of Christianity to grow along side with society. In addition, liberals are welcoming to those with differing beliefs and would never close the church doors to anyone. So these liberal claims are what Riverside Church follows and teaches. 

     The location of Riverside Church is important for its meaning. As mentioned before, it is located in Upper Manhattan in an area with shorter buildings, so the height of the bell tower gives the church significance over the neighborhood. In addition, the church is located right next to the Union Theological Seminary, which is a nondenominational school of theology. Fosdick also worked at this seminary, as he served as a faculty member there. Since both Riverside Church and Union Theological Seminary are interdenominational, they create a welcoming religious area. Lastly, the fact that both of them are located in New York City is significant, as NYC is a highly diverse place. So opening the church up to everyone makes for a very cultured and diverse setting.

     The neo-gothic architecture of Riverside church can also represent its welcoming and opening values. Such architecture goes against the traditional American Christian churches at the time. Using a new style and design to build the church symbolizes the liberal ideal of being open to change. The inside of the church consists of a chapel, as well as multiple meeting rooms and classrooms, providing plenty of space for people to come together and discuss beliefs.

Book for Spare Time, By Ziqiu Yang

The Da Vinci Code

I went to Boston to see my friends this past weekends. I brought a book The Da Vinci Code to kill some time during the travel. It is a book that had been recommended by many of my friends. However, I have not find a spare time to read until now. 

The Da Vinci Code gives a glimpse of the American religious life through the eyes of a nonbeliever. Contrary to what the one is taught in church, The Da Vinci Code paints a different picture. The author gives a seductive version of spirituality contrary to that which is given by the church on biblical faith and consequently revelation of God. Da Vinci Code, the novel, is a blow to Americans religious life and what Christians believers believe in. The novel is a controversy of the New Testament. In the novel the church is portrayed through the eyes of the nonbelievers. Further according to the novel, the church is portrayed as corrupt and so power hungry that they would do anything to hide the ‘real truth’. This real truth according to the Dan Brown the author is that Jesus was an ordinary man and that he was married to Mary Magdalene and that they even had a daughter. This is quite a controversy as compared to what the American Christian believes. The Christians, on the other hand, teaches that Jesus is divine and that He came from God. They further believe that there are heaven and hell.

More importantly, the author suggests that through the sexual union between a man and a woman, then one can achieve what he calls gnosis knowledge of the divine(The Da Vinci Code travel journal 2006). On the other hand, the church portrays the sexual act as something shameful and evil. In doing so according to the author of The Da Vinci Code the church tries to protect its base of power since if the truth comes out believers will start doubting Christianity. Thus, given the two scenarios, it is clear that while the church portrays Christianity and specifically Jesus Christ as pure, the novel, on the other hand, gives a different view on this. In the eyes of the church, God created sex only for procreations. However, Dan Brown is convinced otherwise. To him, sex is not early for procreations, but it is also for pleasure. The believers are of the opinion that sex is sacred and that it should only happen between a married man and a married woman.

According to the novel religion and specifically Christianity is all a lie. The narrative is more on sexuality as the two that is Christianity and the novel; The Da Vinci Code tends to differ a lot concerning matter sexuality. According to the author Christianity is a conspiracy that only seek to control the people on the facts concerning Jesus Christ. In fact, according to the author, the New Testament is used to hide the truth about Jesus Christ. These agents of Christianity will stop at nothing including murder to prevent the truth according to Dan Brown from coming out. The book has its impact on both the Christian and non-Christian given the fact that it has sold millions of copies all over the world. Christians not only in America but all over the world want to know the truth about Christianity. In fact, the book has a page that according to the author is based on nothing but the facts.

The story although seems to be a harmless work of fiction, it questions many of the Christian historical facts in the eyes of the reader. Consequently, most of the question that comes to mind after reading the novel are inclusive of firstly, is it possible that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married? Did the early Christian church also believe that Jesus was divine? Did Mary Magdalene and Jesus have a daughter? According to the novel, these are some of the secrets that have been so guarded to the extent that the Catholic Church would kill to prevent the truth from being told.

In according to The Da Vinci Code travel journal 2006, Constantine and his male successor were the ones who converted the world from its previous known form of being matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity.However, this is what history shows. By all historical sources both secular as well as biblical, there is no trace that there has been any form of matriarchal society as Dan Brown wants us to believe. In fact, research for the past 50 years or so has failed to prove this. In fact, according to history, women were always treated worse and with lesser respect as compared to their male counterparts. This is further duplicated by almost all the different cultures of the world. A good example of this is that of China, Greece, Africa and India where the society had far less respect for women as compared to their male counterparts.

The novel is quite interesting as it makes one continue reading to be able to get the author side of the seductive version of spirituality. However, it is not well written since although it is harmless work of fiction, it is a recount of the purported historical facts.

References

The Da Vinci Code travel journal: Based on the novel by Dan Brown. (2006). New York: Potter Style.

Hillsong: A Non-Denominational New Age Church

For my religious experience in the city, I traveled to Hillsong, a non-denominational Christian Church. Hillsong is unlike most churches in just about every regard. There were so many differences that I experienced, but for the purpose of this text I will focus on the venue upon which mass is celebrated. The Hillsong Church that I visited was situated in the hectic area of Times Square at the PlayStation Theatre. Right off the bat, Hillsong presented itself as different from most churches. Mass is not necessarily held in a church, but instead is held in a theatre. The mass is not “celebrated” but “performed”.

This is a running theme for Hillsong, as the entire experience felt very akin to attending a concert. Let’s begin with entry into the theatre. Each attendee is required to pass through a metal detector, which is slightly alarming. This may be due to the location of the church in Times Square, or as a precaution towards possible opposing fanatics. Either way, it immediately cast a different feeling upon the experience. Once through the metal detectors, we were ushered into the building and greeted along the way by about five different greeters spread along the way. The theatre was downstairs, and my friend and I took the escalator down. The entire place is dark, with colored lights providing enough light to see around you.

The theatre itself held approximately 400 people and was completely full. A stage appeared fully lit in the front with a live band providing music while people found their seats. Besides the band, the stage was completely empty with no altar, chairs, or religious items. The traditional pews were also replaced, substituted with folding chairs instead. I took my seat behind the soundboard, which along with the rest of the venue, looked very expensive.

Hillsong appeared to be a very profitable organization. For beginners, the location in Times Square must cost a fortune. It seems like the signature location is purposed to give legitimacy to the religion. Legitimacy is essential to Hillsong, for it gives an aspect of validation to their religion. As a result, volunteers were dressed in uniforms, service is held in a signature location, performers dressed in trendy clothes, and a professional sounding band was employed.

As a whole, the venue is designed to feel like a concert. This helped attract a mostly young audience which kept the service energized and youthful. Although the services are noticeably geared towards the younger population, people from all ages, color, and walks of life were present. It demonstrated the breadth and reach of Hillsong which I had to admit was very impressive.  In this regard, it embodied American ideals. Hillsong was “the new world”. The people there were breaking away from the traditional sense of a church, somewhat akin to settlers who broke away from what they knew in Europe in search of something better. The people were a melting pot of all races, wealth, and personalities. Hillsong embodied several key aspects of America and provided for a unique religious experience.

St. Patrick's Cathedral by Deirdre McGrath

While walking down Fifth Avenue, it would be hard to miss the towering, neo-gothic styled cathedral beside you. Its’ elaborate architectural details are truly admirable and striking; you may find a man of any religion may stop and gaze at its beauty. As you open the doors, you soon gather that inside is especially majestic. You are surrounded by tranquility inside the churches’ walls, a stark change from the hectic outside world. Thousands of religious icons and symbols enhance its’ true beauty. Today, New Yorkers and visitors are fortunate enough to gather in a place where people of all backgrounds come together to retreat from outside world.

            In the eighteenth century, only a few hundred Catholics resided in New York City. The Catholic population began to increase, and an urban revolution was occurring. During urban revolutions in Europe, large and influential cathedrals were built, and America followed suit. At this time, the diocese of New York and New Jersey were established, and people became involved in the construction of a new church. Many poor Irish Catholic immigrants lived in New York City and as a result, the church was named after the patron St. Patrick. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was built in 1809 and soon became a staple of New York City. More than five million visitors come through St. Patrick’s Cathedral each year.

            St. Patrick’s Cathedral is known as a symbol for American religious freedom. America was seen as a novelty, and a land of opportunity. Irish immigrants came to America in masses and looked to find a better life. They were extremely impoverished, out of work, and lived with their families on very little. St. Patrick’s Cathedral became a place for the congregation of Irish Catholics. Soon after, the church brought together Catholics of other ethnicities, which provided many with their spiritual needs. People began imagining the “new America” in different ways and associated it with being multicultural and multi religious.

If you asked a group of people in a room to define the term “religious”, your responses would certainly vary. Many in this group, however, may say that taking part in religion is a way to get involved with society. For example, some Roman Catholics attend mass every Sunday. Others may attend mass every day, and some may attend on Christmas and Easter. But, who is to define what “religious” truly is? The sense of unity in St. Patrick’s Cathedral allowed Irish Catholics of all religious standings to come together. In Ireland, they felt a sense of betrayal in many senses and came to America for something new. Many were simply born Catholics, but didn’t practice, attend mass, or even receive communion. This sense of community allowed them to feel a strong connection to the church. Although they didn’t always attend mass regularly, when they did, they felt they were able maintain their Irish identity. Once other ethnic groups integrated into St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Irish slowly integrated into the new multicultural society.  

The cathedral itself is a religious text, and it carries infinite meanings; as a text can be interpreted in many ways. This can vary from a piece of furniture, place of religious worship, a magazine, or a work of art. Since we all come from different ethnicities, cultural backgrounds, and histories, we find that we construe these types of objects differently. The Irish, for example, saw it as a center for Irish life in New York. “The oldest Roman Catholic Church building in New York City, it played vital social and political roles in the lives of young immigrants, helping them adapt to their new home” (Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 2005). Pope Francis’ visit in the fall demonstrates how significant St. Patrick’s Cathedral is on Catholic lives today.

"Lower East Side Tenement Museum." Lower East Side Tenement Museum. 2005. Web. 21 Apr. 2016.

John 3:16, by Kate Dunham

Of all the verses in the Bible, John 3:16 commonly inspires and guides the lives of Christian believers. While there are many variations, the most popular is the new international edition, which states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  This particular message is mentioned in the daily life of our culture far more than most other bible verses. It is framed on living room walls and tattooed on the bodies of strong believers. In 1957, Billy Graham, one of the world’s most famous and influential Evangelical Christians, preached this verse to over two million people at Madison Square Garden. Even current culture trends have deemed John 3:16 a worthy message for each human to live by. Today, many prevalent songs feature John 3:16, including one of Keith Urban’s most well-know songs, “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.” In these lyrics, Urban quotes, “And I learned everything I needed to know from… John 3:16.” These two respected men from different backgrounds in very different times, along with millions of other human beings, have allowed the words of John 3:16 to echo around the world for decades and leave a lasting impression. I encountered this verse in the public streets of New York City written in chalk on the corner of 72^nd street and Central Park West.
            While graffiti and meaningful messages exist all around the city, I believe the verse rests on this particular corner for a specific reason. The artist placed “John 3:16” on the corner of the Dakota Building, where John Lennon was tragically shot by Mark David Chapman in 1980. This corner sits directly across the street from the “Strawberry Fields” of Central Park, which celebrates the life of Lennon. John Lennon dedicated his life to promote peace throughout the world using his passion, lyrics, and music. With the death of a peace activist and beloved singer in mind, this image chalked on the sidewalk brings hope to those who visit this site and feel disheartened by the insensible violence that has existed and continues to exist in our world.  It is a reminder to those who come to that location in remembrance of a tragedy and to those simply passing by, that with God in their lives, they are promised everlasting life in heaven.
            The verse John 3:16 acknowledges and accepts human sin. While humans alone cannot free themselves from the ever-present and unavoidable sin that contaminates our world, the verse describes God's magnificent love, which provides all who trust in Him with eternal life. No matter how much hatred, cruelty, and aggression exists, God will free believers from their sins and grant them perpetual life in heaven after death. To many, this is an extremely uplifting thought. In the hustle and bustle of New York City, this message on a quaint corner of the upper West side provides hope and comfort to those who pass by.

Rothman, Lily. "How the World Reacted to John Lennon’s Death 35 Years Ago." TIME Magazine Online. TIME, 8 Dec. 2015. Web. 6 Apr. 2016.

Urban, Keith. John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16. Ripcord. 2015. CD.

An Interaction with a Buddhist Nun, by Kate Dunham

As I walked along the High Line park in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, I was approached by a women dressed in a traditional Buddhist monastic robe. She was a female monk, which is often called a nun (or, more traditionally, a bikkhuni). She timidly approached me, and reached out to hand me a small golden token that read, “Work smoothly. Lifetime Peace.” A pink, green, and yellow image of a blooming flower sat underneath the message. I began to reach for the token, hoping to get a better view of the words and images on both sides of the card. The moment I touched the token, the nun immediately snatched it back towards her, and encouraged me to sign a small notebook she had been carrying in her pouch. I asked her about the significance of the book and what it would mean if I agreed to sign my name. With no explanation, the nun continued to shove the book towards me, leading me to respectfully decline. She used one hand to put her notebook back into her pouch, while the other hand simultaneously reached out asking for monetary donations. With a slight shake of my head, the monk marched on to the next group of people on the High Line trail.

The nun stood out in a city of business suits and tourist tennis shoes, as she wore an orange monastic robe worn by monks of the Buddhist religion. Her attire would stand out anywhere in the United States, as Buddhists represent less than one percent of the nation’s population. Although the United States of America is a melting pot of diverse religions, a large majority of people identify as Protestant, Catholic, or remain unaffiliated to any pronounced religion. While this may be intimidating to some, I respect the courage and pride of the monks who are proud to represent their beliefs through their clothing. Their attire endorses the Buddhist religion, ultimately hoping to bring about and achieve nirvana and ultimate happiness throughout the world.  In this way, clothing can serve as one of the most profound texts. Clothing is a moving message that follows along with those who wear them, and can convey important ideas to others in surrounding areas.

 A nun had never encountered me in such a public place before. I found it strangely ironic that, as she passed out notes to encourage smooth harmony and peaceful lifestyles, she made me feel violated. I am confident she had the best intentions, and that her actions do not represent the Buddhist community as a whole. There could have been a number of factors, including a language barrier, that made our interaction complicated to carry out.

Despite the difficulty in communication, the Buddhist nun taught me a lot about distinctive religions and cultures in a matter of seconds. Our contact reminded me that, although she was preaching in a way that greatly differed from what I am accustomed to, her actions were not incorrect or insulting. She provided invaluable insight on religious customs from various countries around the world that are seldom witnessed in the United States.

             

 "Basic Teachings." Buddhist Studies. Buddha Dharma Education Association & BuddhaNet, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.

Blind Idealism is Deadly, by Kate Dunham

If I had been walking down the High Line on any prior given day, I am confident I would have passed this message without taking a moment to consider its meaning. However, with this assignment in mind, I was inspired to stop and really think about the importance of these words. “Blind idealism is reactionary scary deadly.” Although none of these words refer to a specific religion, nor does the sentence offer an explicitly religious thought as a whole, I appreciated how this statement could serve as a lesson to all who pass it. Without pointing to one particular religion, it encourages all human beings to reflect on their own morals that guide their faith and belief systems.
            As discussed in class, it is far too narrow to believe that “America” only refers to the United States, as the name originally covered much greater boundaries. In the same light, it is a harsh generalization to think of all citizens of the United States of America as a uniform body with the same values, desires, and ideologies. In reality, United States citizens come from numerous places around the world with very different cultural norms. These differences are often easily visible within the culture’s religious beliefs. Some may believe in many Gods and some may believe in one God, while others feel certain that not a single God exists. The phrase “Blind idealism is reactionary scary deadly” applies to any religion, as it calls to reflect on each individual’s personal ideals.
            Idealism is an individual’s thought on how he or she believes life should be. Religious or not, it is natural for human beings to possess ideals. They often serve as motivation to create goals, and work hard towards achieving them. The phrase “blind idealism” refers to not knowing exactly what your own ideals are, or following principles without completely accepting or understanding their meaning. People are persuaded in many ways in today’s society, which makes it even more complicated to hold unwavering personal ideals. As the side of the building reads, blind idealism is not only reactionary, it is not just scary; it is deadly. This is a bold statement to make in our world today that is filled with religious, sexist, and racial discrimination accompanied with acts of terror that cost the lives of innocent civilians far too regularly. In some way or another, however, every human being has experienced the sting of loss and death. This building’s message tugs at the hearts of those who pass by, encouraging them to reduce the hurt in our world by refusing to fall victim to blind idealism. It stresses the importance of maintaining a strong foundation in your beliefs despite the many temptations citizens encounter each day. While religious morals do coincide with our ideal values, religious followers have the opportunity to resist influence that will take them down an unknown path. This relativist thought reflects the same fundamentals of post-structuralism, which states that no two cultures are alike, and not one particular culture is positively right or wrong. This message encourages humans to express their own opinion, as long as it is carefully considered and supported.
             Standing approximately 30 feet tall with barely a chip in the vivid paint, this strong message is seen by the large majority of New York City residents and tourists who walk the highly popular High Line every day. “Blind idealism is reactionary scary deadly” poses the question; have we allowed society to influence us in ways that have changed our core values and beliefs? The message is an encouragement and reminder to reflect on our own beliefs and, more importantly, understand why we have faith in them.