Why Hmong Went To America?

For more than three decades Hmongs have migrated to America, longing for a new enhanced life. Even if it meant they would have to learn a new culture, values, and language. Hmongs left their past, and journeyed on to develop a new future. The religion in North Asia will be discussed as well as the reason why some no longer practice the religion. Three main points that will be addressed will be when they first arrived to America. The consequences that were faced, and the conflicts they have experienced because of the change in religion. It isn 't always simple leaving traditions that have been in cultures for centuries, but the Hmong Americans overcame their obstacle and here we will learn how and why it happened. Hmong are traditionally Animist

They didn 't exactly have a clear background on what it was, they attended christian church regularly. Hmong didn’t convert to Christianity to learn the new religion, but to access the benefits that it with held. “Hmong is a member of the Miao-Yao (Hmong-Mien)” (Owens, 2007) their primary language they spoke in America was known as Hmoob Dawb “white Hmong” or Moob Leeg “ no english.” By attending church, they practiced english, known for “their desire for literacy..it offered a way out of poverty through education and literacy.” (Vayong, 1995) Although communicating effectively was one of their primary factors, of converting to christianity, it wasn 't the only one. They also wanted to gain an economic and social life. As in economics, weddings took much time and energy, since the parents were major part of the children 's wedding that lasted days, whereas christians, the pastor is mainly the one in charge and usually last a day or two. Same with funerals, as mentioned above, they lasted days with food prepping, family traveling from long ways, and getting the materialistic items prepared to send the relative costed much, so by converting to christianity it was seen as an economic value. It was seen as a social advancement. (Moua, 1995) If previously a clan had converted then the next group would too. Although this wasn 't always the case, some Hmongs were shamed by other

The churches expanded. Many Hmongs attended church in clans. So eventually it was an all Hmong American Alliance Church. In order to become a member at the Alliance church an application must be filled out followed with agreement and an interview. This church was established in a basement with 15 families who came together to worship God. It has grown immensely with over 2,300 members. (HAAC, 2015) Their vision is to see God manifest in their lives as well as the lives of the “lost”. Now I quote lost because I wanted to compare what a Hmong Animist may considered lost and what a Hmong Christian may consider lost. Animist may consider a spirt to be lost, a christian may consider the same thing. However, from a shamans point of view the spirit is lost because it cannot find it’s ancestors, or something of the many ritual was not done right before sending it off. On the other hand a Christian may consider the spirit to be lost because it is living a life without Jesus, it has not accepted Christ into his or her heart and from a Christians view we’re designed to praise God, so when you are not you 're soul searching for your lost spirit. These are some differences in which separated the Animist and the Christians. In conclusion, there has been many changes that Hmongs have had to adapt to, in order to “fit in”. Even if they come to America and change their religion, their outfits, and food. They will always have their Hmong roots. In the end they are Americans because of