Embattled Belief: Religion and the British Army from Korea to Afghanistan(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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
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).

Review :
‘To say that British society, the British army and British religion have changed radically since the 1950s is a commonplace. Less well-known are the subtle, continuing and at times unexpected connections between them – this is a fascinating story expertly told in these pages.’ Grace Davie, author of Religion in Britain: A Persistent Paradox ‘Embattled Belief is Michael Snape’s most important, most impressive work yet. This breathtaking history of religion in the British Army from the 1950s to the 2020s will be required reading among religious and military historians alike. This is precisely the kind of nuanced study for which Snape is known and revered.’ Jonathan Ebel, author of G.I. Messiahs: Soldiering, War, and American Civil Religion ‘Embattled Belief is the much anticipated third book in Michael Snape’s trilogy on the British Army’s relationship with religion. Ranging across seventy years of British social and military history, Snape powerfully argues that, while secularisation gathered pace in society, Christianity retained much of its importance for the British Army. Written with humanity and deep insight, Snape braids together policy matters with the personal experiences of officers and soldiers. Highly readable, wide-ranging, and deeply researched, Embattled Belief is an essential and authoritative account of modern Britain and its army.’ Aimée Fox, author of Learning to Fight: Military Innovation and Change in the British Army, 1914–1918 ‘This book breaks important new ground. By looking at the army through the prism of religion Snape uncovers what it was really like to be a soldier in the post-war army.’ David French, author of Military Identities. The Regimental System, the British Army, and the British People c. 1870-2000 ‘Embattled Belief is a thoughtful and highly informative book, and by no means only about military matters. Based on wide-ranging research, the book has much to tell us about many aspects of modern British history. It is eye-opening for anyone familiar with standard narratives about our supposedly secular modern society.’ Philip Jenkins, author of Kingdoms of this World: How Empires Have Made and Remade Religions 'This deeply-researched and also very readable book brings together analysis of recent changes in the British army, sensitive exploration of the experiences of individual soldiers and chaplains, and an unrivalled knowledge of the religious dimensions of recent military conflicts.' Hugh McLeod, author of Religion and the Rise of Sport in England