The Not-So Surprising Parallel Between the Hippie Movement and the Jesus People Movement

I've been listening to an interview with Stephen Nichols on the White Horse Inn. He has written a book recently called, "Jesus, Made in America".

Part of the discussion included a brief mention of the "Jesus People Movement" of the 70's. In this, Nichols described how many of those who gathered to talk about Jesus without conforming to the popularly established forms of clothing and music associated with going to church, had later in life finally traded in their long hair and headbands for a feathers cut and necktie, and started to sell insurance.

A similar thing happened with the individuals from the Hippie movement. The same ones who gathered to talk about world peace and social injustices without conforming to the popularly established forms of clothing and ethical standards, had later in life finally traded in their peace sign and tabs of acid for dollar signs and a half glass of Pinot Noir.

I find this parallel fascinating and I think it only makes sense when we consider that there is a strong historical argument suggesting that, in large measure, those individuals in Jesus People Movement came out of the Hippie Movement.