Eastern religions and the '60s

[Noremac]

What caused the big surge in the '60s-'70s of Eastern religions? Is it because of the counter-culture and going against their parent's probably Christian beliefs?

[MaximiIian]

Partially.

There were other factors, of course, but the "rebelliousness" outlook greatly affected the popularity of non-western religious thinking mixing with Western society. Probably the second big factor in it is that Eastern religions were viewed as "exotic" and something interesting and new to try; even if its wasn't being rebellious, it was still seen as something "different", which acted like magnet to those disaffected by their contemporary Western society.

However, those eastern religions and their ideas were often misunderstood, and many of their unique beliefs were still viewed under the microscope of Western thought, even by those were "rebelling" against Western thinking. Things like the concept of karma, or animism, were interpreted to the point of inaccuracy by the growing movement called the New Age movement; New Ageism greatly resembles Theosophy, because of its blending of western and oriental mysticism and very loose definition- the New Age movement isn't a single religion, it's an umbrella term for unorganized individual beliefs with similar trains of thought.

And it is that movement which arose out of the 1960's counter-culture, influenced not so much by Eastern religions themselves, but by Western interpretation of Eastern thought.

[jankren]

Contrary to 'popular' belief, Christianity started in Palestine, not Italy.

[Turnus]

Contrary to 'popular' belief, Christianity started in Palestine, not Italy.

The most common branch of Christianity today was obviously a Western development from an early date, and was directly linked with Western states for hundreds of years. In any case, the original post clearly meant Far Eastern beliefs, e.g. Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism etc.

[MaximiIian]

Contrary to 'popular' belief, Christianity started in Palestine, not Italy.

Duh. But how is that relevant for the thread topic? :hmmm:

[Bovril]

I'm far from convinced that there was a 'big surge' in the 60's. I think European and North American interest in Indian and Chinese religion had been growing exponentially for at least two centuries before this time. Its just that when something grows exponentially its seems to suddenly appear when it reaches what we might call a critical mass. I'm sure there are a crap load more people who do yoga, recite mantras or whatever now than there were in the 60's and also, far more general public knowlege in the west of 'eastern religion'.

[Vladimir Lenin]

There was a big surge because:

1. Rebellious spirits in the west who wanted to be "Non-Conformist"
2. We actually started learning about Eastern Beliefs and didn't have the whole Colonial System.
3. During the 60's we had Vietnam and lots of American servicemen coming home from abroad with different ideas/beliefs.

Or at least that's my personal best guess.

[Heathen Hammer]

Probably it has to do with European roots of mentality of American kids. Naturally, Europeans were pagans, and Eastern esotheric beliefs are pretty close to pagan beliefs of pre-Christian Europe, unlike Christianity which is not part of European mentality.