ISKCON Communications Journal
Encyclopedia
The ISKCON Communications Journal (ICJ) was a biannual journal established in 1993 as an academic journal
of dialogue, focussing on issues related to missionary development in ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and with issues of communication, administration, social development and education which affected mission in ISKCON. ICJ also provided a forum for members of various communities to comment on ISKCON's development. It was published by ISKCON Communications Europe until its last issue appeared in 2005.
The ICJ came to be regarded by scholars as ISKCON's intellectual magazine and published papers by a number of prominent scholars. British sociologist James Beckford
saw the ICJ as an example of the contribution of religious movements to their own academic study. Beckford held that the journal showed how "organic intellectuals" of ISKCON were discussing their research and ideas with scholars and in some cases conducting joint research. According to the Danish religious studies scholar Mikael Rothstein
, the journal was a means of internal communication in ISKCON, as well as forum for dialogue with academics. In his view, the journal represented ISKCON's fundamental interest in good relations with the academic community.
The Founder and Commissioning Editor of ICJ throughout its life was Shaunaka Rishi Das
.
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
of dialogue, focussing on issues related to missionary development in ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) and with issues of communication, administration, social development and education which affected mission in ISKCON. ICJ also provided a forum for members of various communities to comment on ISKCON's development. It was published by ISKCON Communications Europe until its last issue appeared in 2005.
The ICJ came to be regarded by scholars as ISKCON's intellectual magazine and published papers by a number of prominent scholars. British sociologist James Beckford
James Beckford
James Beckford is a Jamaican track and field athlete competing in the long jump. He represented Jamaica at the Olympic level in 1996, 2000 and 2004. He was the silver medallist in the long jump at the 1996 Olympics and also has two silvers from the World Championships in Athletics...
saw the ICJ as an example of the contribution of religious movements to their own academic study. Beckford held that the journal showed how "organic intellectuals" of ISKCON were discussing their research and ideas with scholars and in some cases conducting joint research. According to the Danish religious studies scholar Mikael Rothstein
Mikael Rothstein
Mikael Rothstein is an associate professor of religious history at the University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark. In 2002 he was on the board of the Danish Association for the History of Religions and the editorial boards of the publications Renner Studies on New Religions and Nye...
, the journal was a means of internal communication in ISKCON, as well as forum for dialogue with academics. In his view, the journal represented ISKCON's fundamental interest in good relations with the academic community.
The Founder and Commissioning Editor of ICJ throughout its life was Shaunaka Rishi Das
Shaunaka Rishi Das
Shaunaka Rishi Das is the Director of the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies , a position he has held since the Centre's foundation in 1997. He is a Hindu cleric, a lecturer, a broadcaster, and Hindu Chaplain to Oxford University...
.