Lois Ann Lorentzen is Chair of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for Latino Studies in the Americas at the University of San Francisco.Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III is Associate Professor of Politics and Director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Kevin M. Chun is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Hien Duc Do is Professor of Social Sciences and Asian American Studies and Coordinator of the Asian American Studies Program at San Jose State University.

“For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh, Contemporary Sociology “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum, Multicultural Review “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig, Religious Studies Review ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling, Feminist Review blog “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is a welcome new compilation of research on migrants and religion. It not only addresses subjects such as identity and politics, but also gives voice to groups and institutions not often considered by religious studies, such as transnational gangs, Filipino American faith-based organizations, and adherents of the Chinese goddess Tianhou. By considering these together, this anthology offers new perspectives on the intersections of faith and immigration.”-Russell Jeung, author of Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana offers a cornucopia of fresh insights into the multiple roles religion plays for immigrant communities, as they negotiate the challenges of settlement in the always iconoclastic city of San Francisco. It includes groundbreaking comparisons among various Asian and Latino groups, ranging from Salvadoran Pentecostals, Vietnamese Theravada Buddhists, Filipino Roman Catholics, and Chinese-American Presbyterians. The volume also stands out for its innovative and perceptive exploration of the connections among transnationalism, spiritual journeys, gender crossings, and acculturation.”-Manuel A. VÁsquez, University of Florida, Gainesville “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum (Multicultural Review) “For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh (Contemporary Sociology) “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig (Religious Studies Review) ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling (Feminist Review blog)

• Preface: Advancing Theory and Method / Lois Ann Lorentzen, Kevin M. Chun, Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, and Hien Duc Do viiAcknowledgments xxviiPart 1. Gender and Sexualities Devotional Crossings: Transgender Sex Workers, Santisima Muerte, and Spiritual Solidarity in Guadalajara and San Francisco / Cymene Howe, Susanna Zaraysky, and Lois Ann Lorentzen 3Sexual Borderlands: Lesbian and Gay Migration, Human Rights, and the Metropolitan Community Church / Cymene Howe 39El Milagro EstÁ en Casa: Gender and Private and Public Empowerment in a Migrant Pentecostal Church / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Rosalina Mira 69Part 2. Acculturation Religious Organizations in San Francisco Chinatown: Sites of Acculturation for Chinese Immigrant Youth / Kevin M. Chun 89Immigrant Religious Adaptation: Vietnamese American Buddhists as Chua Viet Name (Vietnamese Buddhist Temple) / Hien Duc Do and Mimi KhÚc 124Part 3. Transnationalism Americanizing Philippine Churches and Filipinizing American Congregations / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III 141Creating a Transnational Religious Community: The Empress of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea, Tianhou/Mazu, from Beigang to San Francisco / Jonathan H. X. Lee 166Ahora la luz: Transnational Gangs, the State, and Religion / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Luis Enrique Bazan 184Transnational Hetzmek: From Oxkutzcab to San Francisco / Patricia Fortuny Loret de Mola 207The Latino "Springtime" of the Catholic Church: Lay Religious Networks and Transnationalism from Below / Sarah Horton 243Part 4. Civic and Political Engagment We Do Not Bowl Alone: Cultural and Social Capital from Filipino Faiths / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Andrea Maison, and Dennis Marzan 265Counterhegemony Finds Place in a Hegemon: Activism through Filipino-American Churches / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III and Claudine del Rosario 285Appendix A: Research Questions 311Appendix B: Family Member Questionnaire 316References 325Contributors 355Index 359

Lois Ann Lorentzen is Chair of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for Latino Studies in the Americas at the University of San Francisco.Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III is Associate Professor of Politics and Director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Kevin M. Chun is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Hien Duc Do is Professor of Social Sciences and Asian American Studies and Coordinator of the Asian American Studies Program at San Jose State University.

“For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh, Contemporary Sociology “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum, Multicultural Review “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig, Religious Studies Review ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling, Feminist Review blog “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is a welcome new compilation of research on migrants and religion. It not only addresses subjects such as identity and politics, but also gives voice to groups and institutions not often considered by religious studies, such as transnational gangs, Filipino American faith-based organizations, and adherents of the Chinese goddess Tianhou. By considering these together, this anthology offers new perspectives on the intersections of faith and immigration.”-Russell Jeung, author of Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana offers a cornucopia of fresh insights into the multiple roles religion plays for immigrant communities, as they negotiate the challenges of settlement in the always iconoclastic city of San Francisco. It includes groundbreaking comparisons among various Asian and Latino groups, ranging from Salvadoran Pentecostals, Vietnamese Theravada Buddhists, Filipino Roman Catholics, and Chinese-American Presbyterians. The volume also stands out for its innovative and perceptive exploration of the connections among transnationalism, spiritual journeys, gender crossings, and acculturation.”-Manuel A. VÁsquez, University of Florida, Gainesville “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum (Multicultural Review) “For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh (Contemporary Sociology) “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig (Religious Studies Review) ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling (Feminist Review blog)

• Preface: Advancing Theory and Method / Lois Ann Lorentzen, Kevin M. Chun, Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, and Hien Duc Do viiAcknowledgments xxviiPart 1. Gender and Sexualities Devotional Crossings: Transgender Sex Workers, Santisima Muerte, and Spiritual Solidarity in Guadalajara and San Francisco / Cymene Howe, Susanna Zaraysky, and Lois Ann Lorentzen 3Sexual Borderlands: Lesbian and Gay Migration, Human Rights, and the Metropolitan Community Church / Cymene Howe 39El Milagro EstÁ en Casa: Gender and Private and Public Empowerment in a Migrant Pentecostal Church / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Rosalina Mira 69Part 2. Acculturation Religious Organizations in San Francisco Chinatown: Sites of Acculturation for Chinese Immigrant Youth / Kevin M. Chun 89Immigrant Religious Adaptation: Vietnamese American Buddhists as Chua Viet Name (Vietnamese Buddhist Temple) / Hien Duc Do and Mimi KhÚc 124Part 3. Transnationalism Americanizing Philippine Churches and Filipinizing American Congregations / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III 141Creating a Transnational Religious Community: The Empress of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea, Tianhou/Mazu, from Beigang to San Francisco / Jonathan H. X. Lee 166Ahora la luz: Transnational Gangs, the State, and Religion / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Luis Enrique Bazan 184Transnational Hetzmek: From Oxkutzcab to San Francisco / Patricia Fortuny Loret de Mola 207The Latino "Springtime" of the Catholic Church: Lay Religious Networks and Transnationalism from Below / Sarah Horton 243Part 4. Civic and Political Engagment We Do Not Bowl Alone: Cultural and Social Capital from Filipino Faiths / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Andrea Maison, and Dennis Marzan 265Counterhegemony Finds Place in a Hegemon: Activism through Filipino-American Churches / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III and Claudine del Rosario 285Appendix A: Research Questions 311Appendix B: Family Member Questionnaire 316References 325Contributors 355Index 359

Lois Ann Lorentzen is Chair of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for Latino Studies in the Americas at the University of San Francisco.Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III is Associate Professor of Politics and Director of the Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Kevin M. Chun is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Asian American Studies Program at the University of San Francisco.Hien Duc Do is Professor of Social Sciences and Asian American Studies and Coordinator of the Asian American Studies Program at San Jose State University.

“For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh, Contemporary Sociology “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum, Multicultural Review “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig, Religious Studies Review ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling, Feminist Review blog “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is a welcome new compilation of research on migrants and religion. It not only addresses subjects such as identity and politics, but also gives voice to groups and institutions not often considered by religious studies, such as transnational gangs, Filipino American faith-based organizations, and adherents of the Chinese goddess Tianhou. By considering these together, this anthology offers new perspectives on the intersections of faith and immigration.”-Russell Jeung, author of Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches “Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana offers a cornucopia of fresh insights into the multiple roles religion plays for immigrant communities, as they negotiate the challenges of settlement in the always iconoclastic city of San Francisco. It includes groundbreaking comparisons among various Asian and Latino groups, ranging from Salvadoran Pentecostals, Vietnamese Theravada Buddhists, Filipino Roman Catholics, and Chinese-American Presbyterians. The volume also stands out for its innovative and perceptive exploration of the connections among transnationalism, spiritual journeys, gender crossings, and acculturation.”-Manuel A. VÁsquez, University of Florida, Gainesville “[T]his is a welcome addition to the literature on religion and new immigrants, a field that most social scientists have ignored.” - Harvey J. Strum (Multicultural Review) “For scholars interested in the intersection of religion and migration, this book provides insights and data unique in the field. It would also be useful reading in graduate seminars in both the sociology of religion and international migration. I also recommend the book as an example of creative and interesting use of ethnographic data.” - Helen Rose Ebaugh (Contemporary Sociology) “This book is a valuable and recommended addition to the increasing body of literature on religion and immigrant communities.”- Ann Gleig (Religious Studies Review) ”In spite of its tremendous and ambitious goal, Religion at the Corner of Bliss and Nirvana is not difficult to follow its daunting 372 pages. The writers did a fantastic job by reflecting on the different religious practices of the wide variety of immigrants in San Francisco. I was pleasantly surprised that such a difficult and complex theme kept me absorbed at all times.” - Anna Hamling (Feminist Review blog)

• Preface: Advancing Theory and Method / Lois Ann Lorentzen, Kevin M. Chun, Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, and Hien Duc Do viiAcknowledgments xxviiPart 1. Gender and Sexualities Devotional Crossings: Transgender Sex Workers, Santisima Muerte, and Spiritual Solidarity in Guadalajara and San Francisco / Cymene Howe, Susanna Zaraysky, and Lois Ann Lorentzen 3Sexual Borderlands: Lesbian and Gay Migration, Human Rights, and the Metropolitan Community Church / Cymene Howe 39El Milagro EstÁ en Casa: Gender and Private and Public Empowerment in a Migrant Pentecostal Church / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Rosalina Mira 69Part 2. Acculturation Religious Organizations in San Francisco Chinatown: Sites of Acculturation for Chinese Immigrant Youth / Kevin M. Chun 89Immigrant Religious Adaptation: Vietnamese American Buddhists as Chua Viet Name (Vietnamese Buddhist Temple) / Hien Duc Do and Mimi KhÚc 124Part 3. Transnationalism Americanizing Philippine Churches and Filipinizing American Congregations / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III 141Creating a Transnational Religious Community: The Empress of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea, Tianhou/Mazu, from Beigang to San Francisco / Jonathan H. X. Lee 166Ahora la luz: Transnational Gangs, the State, and Religion / Lois Ann Lorentzen with Luis Enrique Bazan 184Transnational Hetzmek: From Oxkutzcab to San Francisco / Patricia Fortuny Loret de Mola 207The Latino "Springtime" of the Catholic Church: Lay Religious Networks and Transnationalism from Below / Sarah Horton 243Part 4. Civic and Political Engagment We Do Not Bowl Alone: Cultural and Social Capital from Filipino Faiths / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III, Andrea Maison, and Dennis Marzan 265Counterhegemony Finds Place in a Hegemon: Activism through Filipino-American Churches / Joaquin Jay Gonzalez III and Claudine del Rosario 285Appendix A: Research Questions 311Appendix B: Family Member Questionnaire 316References 325Contributors 355Index 359