Publications

The Journal for the Study of Religion (JSR) is published by the Association for the Study of Religion in Southern Africa (ASRSA). JSR is an international peer–reviewed and accredited journal that publishes interdisciplinary contributions in the study of religion. JSR invites articles, and responses to articles of up to 10 000 words dealing with topics relevant to the contemporary scholarly significance of the academic comparative study of religion. (Longer articles may also be considered for publication.) Book reviews between 1000–1200 words are also welcome.

The journal’s main area of interest is the phenomenological and comparative study of the diversity of religions, religious traditions, and the religious movements and formations of Southern Africa. Since we foster the equal recognition of all religions, research on the prevalence, relevance, and practicing of World Religions in both local and global contexts, is also encouraged. Research contributions may focus on any of the dimensions of religion, religiously shared or specific values, and the historical and/ or current problematization and contextualisation of religions or religious discourse.

In 1987 the decision was taken by ASRSA to change its journal’s name to the Journal for the Study of Religion (JSR), also under the editorship of Prof Martin Prozesky, assisted by Mr Patrick Maxwell and by an International Editorial Advisory Board whose members included leading scholars from the USA, Britain, New Zealand and Sweden, as well as from South Africa.

From 1993 until 1997, Mr Patric Maxwell acted as Executive Editor. In 1998 the editorship moved to the University of Cape Town under the editorship of Prof Abdulkader Tayob (1998 – 2002) where it was given a new appearance. He was followed by Prof David Chidester (2003 – 2013).

Prof JA Smit from the University of KwaZulu–Natal served as editor from 2014 – 2017. Prof Johan Strijdom from the University of South Africa is acting as Editor from 2018.

The journal’s primary publication language is English for both articles and abstracts.

The journal is published twice per year.

JSR is available on the following platforms:

SciELO South Africa – Since Volume 26, 2013
African Journals Online – AJOL – Since Volume 11, 1998
JSTOR – Since Volume 1, 1988
ProQuest
EBSCO