At the inaugural meeting of the International Association for the Cognitive Science of Religion (IACSR), which was held at the University of Aarhus, Denmark, on January 7, 2006, some forty scholars gathered to address the growing need for an organization dedicated exclusively to the cognitive science of religion. What was once a small group of scholars has now become a large thriving group based in a variety of disciplines. The participants consisted primarily of the Founding Members and Founding Organizations that initiated the organizational process.
At the January 7th meeting, a constitution was approved and an executive committee elected. The committee consists of leading scholars in the field: E. Thomas Lawson (President); Luther H. Martin, Jr. (President Elect); Armin W. Geertz (Secretary General); Tom Sjöblom (Treasurer); István Czachesz (Publications Officer); Anders Lisdorf (Internet Officer); and the following Members-at-large: Robert N. McCauley, Harvey Whitehouse, Joseph Bulbulia, Ann Taves and Pascal Boyer.
The objective of the IACSR is to promote the cognitive science of religion through international collaboration of all scholars whose research has a bearing on the subject. This objective is attained through scholarly activities such as the arrangement of biennial conferences as well as interim local meetings, the encouragement of research projects and support of scholarly publications, and the exchange of information through electronic or other means. The biennial conferences for 2008 and 2010 are currently being planned (with the 2010 conference being proposed to meet in conjunction with the 20th World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions in Toronto).
The cognitive science of religion is multidisciplinary. Scholars from a wide variety of disciplines in the human, social, natural and health sciences are working on important breakthroughs that have significant impact on the academic, comparative study of religion. Specialists in religion have an important role to play, since colleagues from disciplines and sciences that normally do not deal with religion need creative interplay and feedback to better understand the significance of their findings. Cognitive scientists and experimental psychologists, on the other hand, are helping colleagues from study of religion disciplines in hitherto new and exciting ways. Some scholars of religion are also experimental scientists. Some experimental scientists are also highly competent philosophers and scholars of religion. The IACSR is designed to provide an organizational framework for this variety in which we can meet and debate, present new findings, develop innovative theories and help young scholars along their chosen paths.
The IACSR seeks to advance the naturalistic study of religion. Those interested in dialogue between science and religion, attempts to find religion in science and science in religion, or attempts to validate religious or spiritual doctrines through cognitive science should seek other associations and other forums that better address such concerns.
Any scholars working within the cognitive science of religion as broadly defined above, are invited to join the IACSR by contacting the Secretary General at the address below. Please include a brief CV and short statement on your particular interests and approaches. Upon acceptance, applicants are requested to pay their membership dues to Treasurer, Docent Tom Sjöblom. Dues are biennial and are based on sliding income scales. Dues are in Euros or Dollars payable to the IACSR bank accounts in Finland. For further information, please see the IACSR website or contact Dr. Sjöblom at sjoblom@mappi.helsinki.fi
Prof. Armin W. Geertz
Secretary General of the IACSR
Department of the Study of Religion
University of Aarhus, Taasingegade 3
DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
E-mail: awg@teo.au.dk
Website: www.iacsr.com
