Alan Strathern, a Professor of Global History at Oxford, discusses his latest work, examining why rulers historically converted to foreign religions. He shares insights from case studies in Kongo, Japan, Thailand, and Hawaii, revealing the intertwined nature of religious and political authority. Strathern highlights how Christianity served as a tool for consolidation amidst cultural shifts, particularly in Hawaii, where traditional beliefs faced significant challenges. His analysis opens up conversations about global patterns of conversion and their lasting impact on contemporary religious geography.
