Is bowing in Hmong culture a sin?

As a male Hmong, religious or not, sooner or later you'll run into having to bow in a traditional occasion.

> What do you do if you're a Hmong Christian?
> Is bowing to someone other than God as a Hmong, wrong?
> Is it just an ultimate act of gratitude?
> Am I really worshiping the individual when I bow to them?

I've seen many approach to this topic. It differ from people to people. Even from pastor to pastor. Recently, a few of our members had a conversation about this issue. Most churches, regardless of denomination, prefer not to bow down to anyone other than God. Amen to that. The very basics of the ten commandments tells us to not worship any other gods then Himself. When Daniel was ordered to bow down and worship the kings idol, he refused and was sentenced to death.

So then, what's so hard about not bowing down to anyone other than God? Well, in the Hmong culture, there are about 2 major occasions where a male Hmong will be required to bow. One of them is during a wedding and the other during a funeral. There are other occasions when bowing may be suggested, but isn't required. When it is, it puts Hmong Christians in an occurred position. More and more, I'm seeing less bowing at funerals from Christians. But I can't say much for Hmong weddings. Throughout a Hmong wedding, there are numerous times that bowing will be required. The bride's family expect and demands the groom and his family's ultimate respect by bowing to them; their grand parents in a third-world country, their clan, their dead ancestors, etc., you get the point. More often, even Christian family's demand this type of respect during a wedding. Hmong Christians usually apologize politely for not bowing at funerals when they give thanks, but I have never seen them even think twice about not bowing at a wedding.

As a first generation Hmong American, I was born in Laos, but came to the States when I was a toddler. I'm aware of some basic tradition, but don't know much about the details. Part of the difficulty in clearly defining if bowing as a Hmong Christian is acceptable lays in understanding the difference between what is cultural and spiritual. Our traditions for generations has been driven by spiritual acts and has embed itself into the culture.

As young Hmong Christians, we really need to be more assertive about our knowledge of the Hmong culture and it's traditions. The elderly Hmong Christians need to also take this more serious. They are our connection in understanding our history, tradition and culture. Without the two generations working together, many things will be lost and will continue the separation of Hmong Christians and non-Christians (this sounds like another post).

When looking at the bible as an overview, the old testament teaches how to act and behave as God's children. The new testament seems to go deeper and teaches us how to honestly feel as God's children. Can we say than that acting and behaving is an outer expression? And feeling is the inner truth? One can hide how they feel by controlling their behavior, but they can never hide the truth in their heart. What I'm trying to say is, I can pretend to be holier than thou, but God knows what's inside me. He doesn't want your manners. He wants your heart.

Bowing in the Hmong culture is an ultimate act of respect or gratitude in kindness and shouldn't affect who you worship or your faith. Unless you are to be bowing down to their spiritual belief, it is not against God or a sin. The truth in this is not that you shouldn't bow when you are carrying out an act of respect or gratitude, but that you shouldn't bow if it may cause someone else to lose their faith (Romans 14:20-21).