Origins and Practices
The Rainbow Family was founded in 1968 as an extension of the Human Be-In in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Since 1972, the Family has been holding their annual Gatherings in National Forests during the first week of July each year. Regional Gatherings are also held throughout the year in the United States, as are national and regional gatherings in dozens of other countries. These Gatherings are non-commercial, and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome to participate. There are no leaders, and traditionally the Gatherings last for a week in length, with the primary focus being on the Fourth of July in the U.S., when attendees pray, meditate, and/or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light. Most gatherings elsewhere in the world last a month from new moon to new moon, with the full moon being the peak celebration. Rainbow Gatherings emphasize welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicities, and social status, with the common thread being a spiritual focus towards peace, love, and unity.
Those who attend Rainbow Gatherings come from all walks of life, and work together on a variety of goals, among which are intentional communities, ecology, spirituality, and an expanded tolerance for others. Attendees refer to one another as Rainbows, or often as Brother or Sister to help reinforce the emphasis upon their belief system that all people are not only related as part of the human race, but as members of a family, and should thus be given the respect deserved in such a relationship. Group Councils, the only form of government, are held regularly, with attendance being open to all interested parties and decisions being reached through consensus. Further, money is never exchanged at Rainbow Gatherings. Instead, everything is said to be free, and anything you want can be obtained in barter - usually at Trade Circle, which is an unfortunate Capitalist element. Someone holding a magic hat walks around (usually with others playing musical instruments and singing) and collects donations to buy supplies for main supply. As the peaceful and egalitarian practices of the Rainbow Family often set it apart from the many cultures outside of each gathering, the area within has become known to participants as "Rainbowland" for the duration of each event. In critical contrast to this, the world outside of gatherings is referred to as "Babylon."
The use of alcohol in "Rainbowland" is discouraged, but not banned, and has as of late become a heated topic within the Rainbow community.
Read more about this topic: Rainbow Family
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