Dear ISSR Member,   It is hard to believe that August is now here. I do hope that, given current global conditions, you have still managed to enjoy your summer (if you are in such parts of the globe right now). This month’s newsletter is brief, but with important elements.   A large grant of $1,455,601 from the John Templeton Foundation has been awarded to Prof. Megan Page at Loyola University Maryland to support her project “Building Foundations in Science-Engaged Theology: Insights from Philosophy of Science”. More information can be found here: https://www.loyola.edu/news/2020/0728-templeton-award   The Institute on Religion in an Age of Science (IRAS) is hosting a webinar by Prof. Nancy Ellen Abrams on “The Unifying Potential of a God that is Real in the Scientific Universe” on

Dear ISSR member,   It is hard to believe that yet another month has passed in this globally isolated time. When they same “time flies,” it does indeed seem to be that way! Today I bring to you the latest news sent to me by ISSR members. While a little shorter than usual, there are some interesting items here:   A Call for Papers for the Sixth Bath Spa Annual Colloquium for Global Philosophy and Religion has been announced. On “Atheism and Unbelief in Global Philosophy and Religion,” the conference will be asking and discussing important questions related to the context and influences of these two growing bodies of literature. You can read the call and all the necessary details here: https://www.issr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CFP-Bath-Spa-E-Colloquium-2020-Atheism-and-Unbelief-in-Global-Philosophy-and-Religion.pdf   The International Network for the

Dear all,   I do hope you and yours are keeping well.   As we approach the third month of this global lockdown, it comes with both hopeful possibilities and a grim reality. Slowly parks and shops have begun to open, but with new measures to prevent further spread. Yet, in the background of these positive movements towards a return to normalcy is the heavy cloud of the stark situation in the United States, and the resulting movement which has spread into Canada and elsewhere around the globe. I know for myself, with black family members, the difficulties during this time have only increased.   However, I am here today to share with you the latest news from our community. Many of you have told me about new

Call for Papers - Dossier “Transhumanism and the Study of Religion” REVER, International Journal for the Study of Religion, invites the submission of manuscripts on “Transhumanism and the Study of Religion.” (ISSN 1677-1222; indexing details: http://revistas.pucsp.br/index.php/rever)     Transhumanism, a movement that draws from recent scientific and technological developments to envision radical changes in human nature, has aroused interest in several fields, including history, philosophy, theology, social sciences, medical sciences, etc. The main proponents of this movement present scenarios for the future that challenges self-understanding of human beings. Academic production around the movement has largely been dedicated to promoting or criticizing its main tenets. Both these positive and negative assessments have significant implications for the study of religion and for religions themselves, since these tenets have a direct

Dear all, A new book by one of our members has launched. "Science and Development in Thai and South Asian Buddhism, by D. L. Gosling, considers the role of Thai Buddhist religious people in development within Thailand. It discusses how Thai Buddhism has evolved philosophically and in its organisation to allow this, examines various examples of Buddhist people's engagement in development projects, and assesses how the situation is likely to unfold going forward. In addition, the book considers the relationship between science and religion in Thai Buddhism and also some aspects of the parallel situation in Sri Lanka." David is pleased to share a 20% discount on the book. Details about the discount and more information on the book can be viewed here, while words on the book

Dear ISSR member,   What a time it has been these last (almost) two months. So much has happened, with effects that will likely last far beyond the current situation. I know universities around the globe are sending in research proposals related to these unprecedented times. While all this is going on, I hope that you and your family and friends are staying safe. The ISSR, as you know, is an international community, and no time like right now is more important for being strong together.   This month’s newsletter is a little shorter than usual, but I do hope you find something of interest. Please do share anything here with colleagues, students, whatever; the more people that know the better!   This month we have:   Starting

Dear all,   I hope you are all well during this globally isolated time.   This post is to let you know that the special issue of Archive for the Psychology of Religion, which is about the ISSR's Religion and Social Brain grant is now live. The issue is available here for your viewing and reading.   Please enjoy these articles, and do let me know if you have any questions or comments.   Take care,   Anthony K Nairn www.anthonynairn.com ISSR Administrator    

  Dear ISSR community,   This ‘leap-year’ newsletter brings to you the latest news from the science and religion community. Please make sure to contribute anything you think would benefit the community and I will be sure to include it in the next newsletter. Further, our blog runs on contributions from our members, so if you have a project, book, idea, or anything you would like to share in a longer format, please consider contributing to our blog. As always, you can email me your newsletter or blog contributions to admin@issr.org.uk.   Please enjoy and do let me know if you need anything or have any questions.   Books: An updated and complete rewrite of Dave Hutchings and David Wilkinson’s earlier book God, the Big Bang and Stephen Hawking

Hello all,   We will be posting the newsletter to the website from now on, beginning with the February issue. Books: A new book by Rev. Samuel R. Saxena titled, Contemporary Issues in Science and Theology,  published by ISPCK & LTC in 2018 is now available on the following site: http://ispck.org.in/viewbook_info.php?pkid=1065. Conferences: A conference call for papers has been issued for “Evolution, Original Sin and the Fall” being hosted in Saint Louise, USA.  The deadline for submission is 15 February. You can find more details on this conference here: https://philevents.org/event/show/79218   The Polish Society for the Study of Religions & Institute for the Study of Religions, Jagiellonian University in Kraków invites you to participate in The Sixth International Congress of Religious Studies. Belief – Imagination – Knowledge. New Paths of