Religion and Food Unit
The Religion and Food unit is participating in the online summer annual meeting pilot program. Participants wishing to participate in a session at the online annual meeting in June should apply using the instructions provided by the AAR. We welcome papers on any topic related to our statement of purpose.
This Unit provides an opportunity for scholars to engage in the intersection of religion and food, foodways, and food ethics. We are interested in examining these topics across broad geographical areas, religious traditions, and historical eras. We encourage critical reflection regarding:
• The relationships of religious commitments to food (production, preparation, consumption, and invention)
• Diet and sustainability
• Issues of food (in)justice, which may include food availability or insecurity, commitment to wellness, access to healthy foods, food deserts, etc.
• Environmental/ecological issues, e.g. desertification, flood, fire, and climate related food ethics issues
• Theological, spiritual, and religious interrelationships as expressed in food commitments or confluences
• The cross-cultural applicability of the categories of “religion” and “food” themselves
We seek to develop ongoing investigations into practices and beliefs related to food, drink, fasting, the production of food, the ethics of production and consumption, or on any aspect of religiously influenced foodways.