Shamanism is seen by the Hmong as the only way to communicate with the spirit world. Spirits of nature are believed to cause  llness, nightmares, and even death. Hmong shamans perform rituals to learn the source of the illness and decide on proper treatment. Often employing animal sacrifice, shamans channel communications between evil spirits and the afflicted persons.  The motive to use Shamans is fear of the spirits and hope that the ceremonies may restore health.   Sometimes illness is thought to be due to the spirit leaving the body.  In this case, the Shaman will conduct a "silver and gold bridge" ceremony to show the soul the way home.  Different Hmong clans, however, may have very different rituals and ceremonies.

Hmongs borrow the idea of a cycle of life and rebirth from Buddhism. Funeral rites involve musical performers giving guidance to the souls of the deceased so that they will go to their ancestors,  to be reborn in the form of new children in Hmong families.  Having a proper funeral is of great importance to the Hmong, since they believe that the correct ceremonies are necessary for the deceased to prosper in the land of the ancestors.  Embroidered burial garments and special cloths are buried with the body.  All family members must be present for the burial.  If necessary, the burial will be delayed to allow everyone to assemble.

The Hmong people believe that a messiah-like figure will some day be revealed, free Hmongs from bondage and set up an independent Hmong homeland.  This believe has cause them to put their faith in a number of false messiahs.  A charismatic fraud named Yang Shong Meng, claiming to be Christ, is one of the latest.  He is said to have gathered thousands of followers, who believe that he is a healer and a prophet.  False healings and other diabolical "miracles" have contributed to this deception.

 The Hmongs have one thing in common with all people.  They have a "God-shaped vacuum" in their hearts.  The radio has been a major factor in informing the Hmong about the good news of Christ.  The Far East Broadcasting Company has a regular broadcast in several Hmong dialects.  Many Hmong accepted Christ as a result of these broadcasts.  Today an estimated 250,000 Hmong in North Vietnam are believers in Christ.

Unfortunately for the Hmong, most of them live in China, Vietnam and Laos.  These three Communist countries have two things in common.  All give lip service to freedom of religion.  All systematically persecute Christians.  Persecution of Vietnamese Christians still continues unabated to this day.  Because of this, Hmong believers have had great difficulty in obtaining Bibles and instruction in Christian doctrine.