Webinar on religion and the British Army from Korea to Afghanistan

Michael Snape is the Michael Ramsey Professor of Anglican Studies at Durham University; he has published extensively on the history of religion and conflict in the English-speaking world.

In his new book, published by Cambridge University Press in 2026, Michael examines the neglected role of religion in the British Army in an era of rapid and far-reaching change. Covering the Cold War, the end of empire, seismic shifts in Britain's cultural and religious landscape, and the dramatic shrinkage of the armed forces, he reveals religion's abiding importance at an institutional, individual and operational level. He explores the religious contexts of the Army's warfighting, counterinsurgency and peacekeeping operations, including the Korean, Falklands and Gulf Wars; the 'Emergencies' in Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus; the Northern Ireland conflict; UN and NATO operations in the Balkans; and Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11. He also charts the religious responses of British soldiers to allies, adversaries and civilian populations. This is a welcome contribution to our understanding of the secularisation of British society, the social and cultural history of the British Army, and religion and war in the contemporary world.

This webinar is co-organised with the Michael Ramsey Centre for Anglican Studies at Durham University. Michael will be in conversation with our Executive Director, Dr Brian Powers.

All welcome.

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