Religious celebrations and culture in the U.S.

Every religion celebrates special days throughout the year.

In the United States, religious holidays are often occasions to open doors to friends and neighbors, regardless of their religion. The new book Faith + Freedom: Religion in the USA shows how people across the country spend their special occasions.

Faith + Freedom features many photographs illustrating America’s religious heritage. Here are a few of them.

Man blowing horn in front of crowd (© Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
A congregant blows the shofar to celebrate the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur at Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks, California. (© Stephen Osman/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)

People covering themselves in colored powders (© Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)
People in Arcadia, California, celebrate Holi, the Hindu spring “festival of colors.” (© Carlos Chavez/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)

Dancer in colorful costume in front of crowd (© Shutterstock)
A young man performs a traditional gatka, or sword dance, for the Sikh harvest festival Baisakhi in Los Angeles. (© Shutterstock)

Woman lighting candle in rows of them (© Nick Ut/AP Images)
A woman offers prayers and candles on Lunar New Year at the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, California. People pray for happiness and prosperity. (© Nick Ut/AP Images)

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