Religious Freedom and Local Conflict: Religious Buildings and Zoning Issues in the New York City Region, 1992–2017.

Religious freedom in the United States is negotiated in local conflicts arising from proposals from religious groups to municipalities in order to use or alter land and buildings. This study examines 116 cases of zoning conflict involving religious buildings in the New York City region between 1992 and 2017 as reported by the New York Times. Jewish and Muslim congregations experienced opposition at higher rates compared to their proportion in the region's population and to Christians. Proposing to use a single-family home for worship or use a building near residences topped local concerns. Neighbors regularly expressed worries about traffic, parking, and preservation. More zoning controversies occurred in the suburbs. These findings advance our knowledge of religious freedom and pluralism in detailing how local religious land conflicts involving multiple social actors operating at different levels engage larger questions about religious gatherings, ideal land uses, and the character of communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]