The Changing of the Gods: Religion, Religious Transformation and the Indian Immigrant Experience

Thomas W. Segady, Swati Shirwadkar

Institute of Public Law, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/sm.2012.24055                

Abstract

The Durkheimian notion that there is a close correspondence between the type of religion within a society and the structure of the society itself is now taken to be nearly axiomatic. As societies become increasingly dynamic and fragmented, however, the nexus between religion and society becomes far more complex. With globalization and widespread movements of populations struggling to maintain their identities within the contexts of both the old and new societies, changes of religion—including religious affiliation and religiosity—are inevitable. Cultural and social aspects of these changes are explored with reference to Indians migrating to the United States.

Keywords

Immigration; Identity Construction; Religiosity; Religious Affiliation

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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