Interintellect to Host Discussion on “American Heretics” and Church-State Separation

New York, NY – Interintellect, a platform for intellectual discourse, is set to host a conversation featuring author Jerome E. Copulsky and Interintellect founder Anna Gat. The discussion will delve into Copulsky’s recent book, “American Heretics: Religious Adversaries of Liberal Order,” which explores the historical and contemporary figures who have challenged the separation of church and state in the United States. The event promises to illuminate the complex and often contentious relationship between religious influence and American governance.The tweet from Interintellect announced, "Who are the 'American Heretics' who shaped the separation of church and state in the US? Author Jerome E. Copulsky joins @TheAnnaGat in our Manhattan salon to discuss the complex history and modern implications of religious influence on American governance." This highlights the central theme of the upcoming conversation. Copulsky's book, published by Yale University Press, examines various thinkers who, on religious grounds, considered the nation's political ideas and its church-state arrangement flawed.Jerome E. Copulsky, a research fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University, argues that the concept of "heresy" is relational, used by groups to define boundaries and police deviance. In his work, the orthodoxy in question is "American liberalism, democracy, pluralism, and secularism," with the "American heretics" being those who dissented from it. His book traces a tradition of American religious rejection of constitutional liberalism from the 18th century to the present.The book has been described as timely, especially given the resurgence of certain religious political movements. Reviewers note that Copulsky's study complicates the ongoing public argument between those who claim America was founded as a "Christian nation" and those who maintain the Founders intended a "secular republic." He identifies various Christian groups who have dissented from the American consensus, including those who rejected democracy or disestablished religion.Anna Gat, the founder of Interintellect, will moderate the discussion. Interintellect is known for fostering deep, salon-style conversations on a wide range of topics, bringing together diverse perspectives. The event is expected to provide valuable insights into the historical roots and contemporary relevance of religious challenges to American political order, offering a nuanced understanding of the ongoing debate.