Prof. Alec Ryrie, 17th November 2026
Professor of the History of Christianity, University of Durham
A century ago, Britain thought of itself unproblematically as a ‘Christian country’. Now that description has become controversial. It is more common to think of ourselves as living in a ‘secular’ or ‘multi-faith’ society. Yet, at the same time our nation is marked by renewed Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Catholicism, and wider claims of discrimination against Christians.
None of this makes any sense unless we understand how we got here.
Following on from the previous session’s exploration of religious tolerance and intolerance, and of inclusion and exclusion over the past 500 years, this session will look at the profound shifts of the 20th century. It will explore the double edges of the supposed ‘British value’ of ‘tolerance’, as well as the shift in perspectives on the role of the church in society.
This event is kindly sponsored by the Bishop of Leicester.
Prof. Alec Ryrie is Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Durham, a Fellow of the British Academy and author of ten books on aspects of the history of Christianity in the modern era.