Religion in the Hippy Culture.

Religion was just as important to the hippies as their protests to the war. In fact, it had much to do with it when you get into the details of the Vietnam War. It is in our rights as American citizens to have our own beliefs and religion in accordance to how we were raised or otherwise. In Southern Vietnam, Diem persecuted many of those who were not christians, or did not have the same beliefs as he and his cohorts, in his efforts to create a democratic society. Freedom of religion is a main part of democracy. Credit WAS given to Diem for one thing - credit for bleeding a lot of money from the US in our government's pathetic efforts to convert the entire country of Southern Vietnam into democracy.

As a group, hippies had a lot in common, but they had just as many differences. Religion was one of those differences. As Americans, they followed the belief systems of Christianity, Buddism, and many others. Their religions were as many as the colors of the rainbow, but in a way, it gave them another reason to bring their people together. It was preached high and low all over the United States. It was used to bring peace to this nation and others - a goal that they believed was not impossible to achieve. As long as they had a common goal, anyhting could happen - unfortunately, world peace was then and is now far out of reach of any man or group of men alive. But they tried, and it was a valiant effort that should be commended.

So you see now that religion was just as important to them as anything else that made up their culture of colors and beliefes, fun and love, and may we never forget the hearts that broke easier than chinaware and cried with the rest of the nation during those troubled times.

Hippy Home

Home