Alec Ryrie

In this lively discussion, Alec Ryrie, a Professor of Christianity at Durham University and author of 'The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It', delves into the dark interplay of Protestantism and the Nazi regime. He highlights the moral complexities of that era, showcasing figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The conversation also warns against compromising political alliances today and critiques the fragile foundations of modern human rights. Ryrie argues for the preservation of Christian traditions to inform ethics in today's turbulent climate.

Alec Ryrie, a Professor of the History of Christianity at Durham University and author of 'The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It,' explores why Hitler's legacy looms large in our moral landscape. He discusses the unsettling idea of Hitler as a secular exemplar of evil, tracing its influence in modern myth and literature. Ryrie highlights the crumbling societal taboos against fascism, pushing for a resurgence of deeper moral frameworks rooted in tradition. His insights urge us to confront fear-based politics with a vision of beauty and goodness.

Alec Ryrie, historian of Christianity and author, probes why Hitler and Nazism loom so large in our cultural imagination. He links this fascination to shifts from religious to secular moral touchstones. Conversations cover the fraying of anti-Nazi consensus, rising antisemitism and online extremism, and ideas for rebuilding shared values and civic rituals beyond villain-focused narratives.