한국 신종교연구의 세계화를 위한 과제와 전망 -한국 신종교학회와 세계 신종교학회의 만남을 중심으로-

Abstract

This paper is to examine the task and respect for the globalization of Korean Academy of New Religions (KANR) by analyzing the 2011Cesnur Taiwan Conference. Taiwan Conference has the following characteristics. First, there is a paradigm shift from the West to the East in the study of new religions. Scholars of Sweden, Italy, UK, and USA have played major roles in studying new religions in the West since the 1970s. In 2009, they founded the International Society for the Study of New Religions (ISSNR), publishing its English journal twice a year. Taiwan Conference was the first conference held in Asia. We can expect active interchanges between KANR and international societies. Second, the multi-religious situations of Confucianism, Buddhism,and Taoism in Taiwan and a Christian host institution, Aletheia University,reflect the present academic concern and boundary of ISSNR. The object of study covers institutional religions, new religious groups,new trends of existing religions, and religiosity of religious culture contents. Third, by classifying more than 50 papers delivered at the conference, inter-disciplinary studies, social science approaches, contents analysis of religious culture, and comparative study of religions are major trends. Fourth, post-conference excursion was very helpful for scholars to participate local festivals and to visit major Taiwanese religious communities. In conclusion, Korean Academy of New Religions needs to keep continual relationship with international scholars through conferences and communications. Strengthening the research abilities to study new religions and cooperating with other academic groups, KANR should create the creative environment to hold the next international conference of new religions.