The Statue of Union, located at the Sri Ashtalakshmi Temple in Sugar Land, is an impressive depiction of Lord Hanuman. This striking statue showcases Hanuman in a human form with the customary monkey face and tail, arms raised with palms facing forward, while his tail arcs above his head, creating a stunning halo effect.
Hanuman, a revered figure in Hinduism, embodies strength, courage, and unwavering dedication, also serving as a symbol of power and celibacy.
The statue’s unveiling this past Sunday is not just a local celebration; it reflects the shifting religious landscape in the United States. Surveys indicate a decrease in the number of Americans identifying as Christian, alongside an increase in those identifying as “nondenominational” or adopting minority religions.
This stunning piece is now the third tallest statue in the U.S., standing behind the Statue of Liberty (151 feet) and the Pegasus and Dragon statue in Florida (110 feet), according to WorldAtlas.
“The Statue of Union symbolizes the cultural heritage that binds the Indian and American communities, marking a significant milestone in both spiritual and cultural dialogues,” said a temple representative during the inauguration.
Funding for the statue came from local Hindus, coordinated through the temple’s official website. However, its unveiling has sparked controversy, particularly among some Christian conservatives on social media, with one self-proclaimed “Christian activist” condemning it as “demonic” on X.
According to data from the Pew Research Center, the religious composition of the U.S. has shifted dramatically over recent decades; those identifying as Christian have dropped from 90 percent in 1972 to 64 percent in 2020. In contrast, the percentage of individuals identifying as agnostic, atheist, or “nothing in particular” has surged from five percent to 30 percent.
Moreover, the number of people identifying with other religions—including Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism—rose to about six percent by 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau highlights Alabama as the most religious state, with Virginia and Texas following, while Maine, New Hampshire, and Nevada are noted as the least religious.
This month, Reverend Franklin Graham expressed his outrage over an ad from Evangelicals for Harris, which endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris and controversially included footage of his late father, Reverend Billy Graham.