Religion

In some ways, the spirit-based religions are very practical. There's a house spirit and spirits in everything. Some are helpful and other are dangerous and need to be appeased from time to time. There are spirits in people, as well. It seems complicated but it's really simpler than monotheism on a day-to-day basis.

My neighbor two doors down the street is a shaman. I hear the gong frequently. But, he's old and in poor health now. I don't know if there's someone to take his place once he's gone. I haven't seen him outside for some time, but I talk to his sons and grandsons often. I always ask about him. Lately, there is mostly head-shaking.

Some Hmong have shifted over to Pentacostalist Christian churches in the area. I don't know anyone in that group, though.