Embattled Belief

Religion and the British Army from Korea to Afghanistan
Erscheinungsjahr 2026
ISBN: 978-1-009-60998-2
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 490 Seiten

Reihe: Studies in the Social and Cultural History of Modern Warfare

This book 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, Michael Snape 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 unique and significant 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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Snape, Michael

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of figures; Acknowledgements; Note on the text; List of abbreviations; Introduction; Part I: 1. Morale, values and standards; 2. Regulations and tradition; 3. Dealing with diversity; Part II: 4. Chaplaincy structures, recruitment and training; 5. Chaplaincy and moral guidance; 6. Chaplaincy, celebrity and controversy; 7. Chaplaincy, convergence and diversification; 8. A ministry of presence; Part III: 9. The religion of the soldier; 10. Collaborations and confrontations; 11. Faith and morals; Conclusion; Selected primary sources; Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Snape, Michael
Michael Snape FBA is Michael Ramsey Professor of Anglican Studies at Durham University. This book is the third in a trilogy of titles on the history of religion in the British Army, following The Redcoat and Religion (2005) and God and the British Soldier (2005).