The falling apart or destruction of organized religion may result from cultural invasion or technological change, but it does not negate the need for religion. Religious disintegration may be characterized by the springing up of numerous small and short-lived religious sects and denominations. Religious disintegration may also result from the imposition of another nontheistic ideology, such as communism, in which case the need for a 'religion' or ideology may cause bitterness and frustration in severance from tradition.
Disintegration may happen in the case of primitive religions following cultural invasion and with the missionary influence of another religion. In industrialized society it is marked by religious apathy and a struggle for relevance to modern living. In certain communist countries religion has been suppressed but still exists, very strongly in some places, but mainly among older people.