Modernization and Religious Conception: Role of Technological Advancement, Urbanization, and Cultural Integration in Altering Religious Conception in the Potohar Region, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper aims to find the relationship between the process of modernization and evolving religious conception in Pakistan, focusing on the Potohar region of northern Punjab- consisting of the three districts Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Chakwal. The objectives elaborated on the impact of technological advances on religious practices in the light of cultural integration. Increasing urbanization is changing the concept of religious practices and modifying them according to social change and modernization. The qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to finalize the results. The data have been gathered through earlier studies, sessions, focused group discussions, and participant observations. The results indicate that the native people's beliefs and rituals are changing due to technological advancement, cultural integration, and urbanization. This paper highlights the effects of modernization in the Potohar region. As a significant outcome of the modernization process - the declining extent of religiosity can be affirmed in the Potohar region. Religious ideas and beliefs have become inferior in people's day-to-day lives due to social transformation.