North American Association for the Study of Religion

The North American Association for the Study of Religion (NAASR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the critical, historical, and social scientific study of religion. It was founded in 1985 by E. Thomas Lawson, Luther H. Martin, and Donald Wiebe.

Mission and Activities

NAASR aims to promote historical, comparative, structural, theoretical, and cognitive approaches to the study of religion among North American scholars. It also serves as a platform to represent North American scholars at the international level and to foster communication between scholars across different regions and disciplines.

The organization meets annually, typically in conjunction with the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and the Society for Biblical Literature (SBL) conferences. These meetings include presentations of research in academic panels and working groups, as well as business meetings for its members.

Transdisciplinary Approach

NAASR encourages a transdisciplinary approach to studying religion, inviting scholars from diverse backgrounds to collaborate across entrenched disciplinary boundaries. This approach allows for a deeper exploration of the category of "religion" and its various interpretations.

Annual Conferences

NAASR’s annual conferences feature calls for papers that explore themes relevant to the critical study of religion. Recent themes have included the critique of religion, the transdisciplinary "ecology" of scholarship in the study of religion, and the ways in which the educational, institutional, and social locations of scholars influence their perspectives.

Publications and Affiliations

NAASR supports scholarly publications, including working papers and other academic materials. It is affiliated with the International Association for the History of Religions and maintains a close relationship with other organizations in the field of religious studies.

Role in the Academic Community

As a Related Scholarly Organization of the AAR and an Affiliate Organization with the SBL, NAASR plays a significant role in fostering dialogue and collaboration among scholars of religion across North America and internationally. Its emphasis on critical and reflexive approaches to religion contributes to ongoing debates and developments in the academic study of religion.