Asia has not escaped the impact of modernization. Changes began in the religious-cultural systems in Asia with contact and colonization. Traditional Asian religions recognize kingship as a divine right and responsibility from which political organization follows. The legitimacy, of a government, derives from divinity, not from the population (Engel, 1994, p. 429). Westernization, modernization, and technology have made their impact felt on the religions and culture of the people of Asia. The beginnings, of the impact of western methods and technology, were perceived with the recognition of the nation-state. Modern technology continues to change how Asian religions are practiced and to an extent their belief systems. The importation of western governmental and social belief systems has also had a dramatic impact on social culture.
The cultural, legal, and religious systems, in Asia, overlap each other's spheres of influence. The impact of technology on religion extends beyond the place of worship into how technology is incorporated into everyday life. Most modern advances brought to Asia have an element of modern technology included within them. Modern western technology can not be constrained to only include the effects of modern high technology as is found in western civilization. High technology is financially unobtainable to most citizens of Asian Third World countries. The technology which is readily available consists of communications technology--radio and television, transportation, and industrialization. Industrialization does not have a direct impact on religious views. It does increase the impact of social materialism and erode traditional values. Most of these innovations are available in some form to much of the population of the countries of Asia. Rural areas at least are aware of some of these modern advances.
India is a complex country made up of many religions. The primary religious force in th...